Groundsperson

Groundsperson

Reporting to the Assistant Manager, Maintenance Operations, this position is responsible for performing a wide range of landscaping, grounds, and exterior maintenance duties associated with the safe operation and upkeep of VIU's campuses and student residences. The role includes horticultural care, snow and ice removal, emergency response related to outdoor hazards, and support for campus operations and events.

The duties of this position include but are not limited to:

• Support Facilities Management and Development in maintaining and developing campus(es) and student residences grounds, parking areas, pathways, and sidewalks
• Plan, layout, prepare, and plant all soft landscaping materials
• Prune and maintain flower beds, planters, bulbs, trees, and shrubs. Dispose or compost material
• Maintain a healthy growth of all plants and materials by removing unwanted competitive plants and weeds
• Perform grass maintenance, including cutting, trimming, raking, thatching, aerating, weeding, edging, feeding and watering
• Prepares and applies fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides and other solutions
• Shovel and level gravel, sand, bark mulch and earth
• Installs, repairs and maintains irrigation systems
• Monitor water requirements of all outdoor vegetation
• Assists with all waste and recycling programs across the campus(es) and student residences
• Cleans catch basins and accessible eavestroughs and gutters, and roof drain clearing
• Keeps written records of fertilizer and pesticide use for the university as well as daily records for future reference
• Performs grounds equipment maintenance such as cleaning, changing blades and oil, etc.
• Operates riding, hand-held, and push-type equipment for grounds maintenance as well as performs equipment maintenance
• Removes garbage, sweeps and keeps clean all entrances, sidewalks, exterior stairs, roads, pathways, driveways, parking areas, catch basins, work and storage areas
• Pick stones, dig and/or backfill drainage ditches, culverts, excavations, etc.
• Removes snow and ice from pedestrian, vehicular routes and parking lots using sand, gravel and de-icer by hand or machine
• Participate and provide snow removal services, including as part of an emergency response team and respond to emergencies and after-hours requests. This position is included in the Operational Needs group (CUPE Article 28.12)
• Respond to and safely remove wildlife hazards from campus grounds as required to maintain a safe and sanitary environment
• Respond to urgent outdoor issues such as pest disturbances, fire hazards, or other health and safety concerns on campus grounds
• Identify and report potential hazards on campus grounds and follow established safety procedures, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Assist in campus operations and events including but not limited event set-up, event take-down and general clean-up
• Assist other Maintenance Operations personnel as directed by the Assistant Manager, Maintenance Operations

Required Qualifications:

Possess a horticultural diploma from a recognized and accredited institution, along with five years' directly related experience. An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered.

• This position is physically demanding, requiring continuous moderate to heavy physical activity, including but not limited to heavy lifting up to 50 lbs, frequent walking, prolonged standing, and working at various heights. Ability to bend, dig, shovel and climb ladders.
• Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions with exposure to adverse weather, chemicals, pollen, fumes, etc. that are typical of an outdoor environment.
• Familiar with current landscaping trends and comfortable with reading landscaping and underground utility maps.
• Ability to work on multiple projects with competing demands to meet deadlines.
• Work will mainly be outdoors in possibly undesirable working conditions. Personal clothing suitable for outdoor work must be supplied and Safety Footwear (CSA Standard) required.
• This position works mainly at the Nanaimo campus and student residences but may be required to assist at other VIU campus locations.
• Must possess a valid Class 5 BC Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record.
• Experience and certification / training in skid steer and Bobcat operations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Possess a valid Pesticide Applicator Certificate.

VIU is pleased to offer eligible employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities and a desirable pension plan. As part of the VIU campus community, our employees work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts, and flexible work opportunities.

Note:

• Short-listed candidates must provide original transcripts, or applicable original certifications at time of interview.
• All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
• Vancouver Island University (VIU) is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students. In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences. We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter. When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity. Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity-seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.