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Groundskeeper
About the Thomas Jefferson Foundation
The Thomas Jefferson Foundation was incorporated in 1923 to preserve Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Today, the Foundation seeks to bring history forward into national and global dialogues by engaging audiences with Jefferson’s world and ideas, and sharing the history of everyone, enslaved and free, who lived and labored at Monticello. Monticello is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, a United Nations World Heritage Site and a Site of Conscience. As a private, nonprofit organization, the Foundation’s regular operating budget does not receive ongoing government support to fund its twofold mission of preservation and education. For information, visit Monticello.org.
Job Purpose
The purpose of this job is to maintain the grounds and landscape features of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation.
Essential Functions
- Operates and understands power equipment to maintain grounds to a high horticultural standard, including but not limited to: mowers, edger, string-trimmer, leaf vacuum, pruner, chainsaw, backpack blower, spray equipment, tractors with various implements, heavy machinery, and woodchipper.
- Manually maintains grounds to a high standard, including but not limited to: leaf removal, mulching, tree and grass planting, seeding, weeding, landscape bed maintenance, watering, resurfacing pathways, trash removal, snow removal, fence repair, tree removal and pruning, irrigation repair
- Understands power equipment operation to inform mechanics of issues. Observes power equipment during operation to ensure proper operation.
- Monitors debris, litter, trash, unsafe walkways for specific areas during morning clean up.
- Follows direction from Senior Groundskeeper and Manager and Curator of Historic Gardens to determine priority of tasks and assignments.
- All other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of safe use, operation, and preventive maintenance of common mechanical equipment; experience with tools to perform basic repairs; and understanding of irrigation systems.
- Common sense understanding of power equipment and tools used to maintain grounds.
- Knowledge of common grounds maintenance techniques such as pruning methods; planting techniques; watering; fence construction techniques; mowing heights; chain saw safety rules; fertilizer rates; etc.
- Knowledge of plant taxonomic information to identify desirable and undesirable plants in the landscape.
- Manual dexterity to efficiently and effectively operate power equipment, including battery operated equipment, and use a variety of hand tools.
- Ability to maintain poise and composure under stressful conditions, and to effectively lead and work with others
- Ability to work within established safe work practices for areas of responsibility, including but not limited to EPA’s Worker Protection Standard, ANSI standards for tree care, OSHA regulations.
- Common sense ability to make decisions to work safely and efficiently, and to respond to a variety of physical and grounds maintenance challenges.
- Physical strength and fitness to perform manual labor for extended periods of time. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Virginia Pesticide Applicator’s license (must be obtained within 6 months of hire)
- Ability to understand and follow directions.
- Sensitivity to the historic and public nature of Monticello, to include working around visitors, respecting operating hours, and being mindful of special events.
- Reliability and commitment to fulfill scheduling responsibilities, especially during inclement weather and special events.
Physical Demands and Work Considerations
- Position requires extensive manual labor in extremely sunny, hot and humid conditions in summer, and sometimes cold, blustery, freezing and rainy weather during spring and fall.
- Safely work with power equipment – driving tractors on inclines, pruning and removal of large trees with chain saws, and snow plowing during poor weather conditions – is inherently dangerous and requires experience and common sense caution.
- This position is considered essential personnel and expected to report to work to assist with snow removal or storm damage clean up, in the event Monticello is closed to visitors.
- Must have a valid Virginia driver's license with no restrictions and be able to use vehicles on highways.
- This position requires weekend work: Schedule will be set at Tuesday to Saturday or Sunday to Thursday
Preferred Traits and Characteristics
A. We seek candidates with the following traits: mature, dependable (reliable), good initiative (self-starter), responsible, trustworthy, punctual, and with a great work ethic.
Education
High School Diploma required. Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred.
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