Grounds Maintenance

1400 W Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff AZ

Description

Please visit our website www.lowell.edu/careers Lowell Observatory seeks hard working, team orientated and knowledgeable applicants to join the grounds and maintenance team. Our campus is expanding and by the end of 2023 we will have completed our highly anticipated Astronomy Discovery Center. This expansion offers room for advancement for highly motivated individuals. The Grounds Maintenance position is responsible for the upkeep of exterior grounds year round for scientific research sites, office buildings, and public visitor program. This position reports to the Facilities Manager. Physical work is a primary part of the job, primarily outdoors and often in inclement weather. RESPONSIBILITIES • Snow Removal -- Road and walkway maintenance – snow removal both manual shoveling and with a truck or tractor, responsible for safety for both public and staff use. • Landscape maintenance – planting, mowing, irrigation repair, raking, shoveling • Painting exterior – handrails, curbs, often on ladders and occasionally on scaffolding. • Performs routine maintenance to equipment used in this position • Maintain lighting – bulb replacement and cleaning of exterior lighting fixtures • Carpentry – occasional door and window maintenance • Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned as part of a team and without supervision • Basic computer skills – email correspondence and recording time REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS • Snow Team – on call throughout the winter months • A willingness to do a wide variety of tasks • Reliability, excessive tardiness or absenteeism will not be tolerated • Ability to understand written and verbal communications and work independently following those directions • Ability to operate mowers, tractors, snowplow, leaf blowers, chainsaws, weed-eaters and other related power equipment • Ability to read, understand, follow and enforce safety procedures. • Ability to work alone or as part of a team, to follow through on projects and problem solve • Ability to lift and manipulate heavy objects (50lbs or more) • Willingness to learn new skills • Advanced experience or knowledge in one or more of the follow categories will put your application to the top of the list: Landscaping, Irrigation, Tree Felling, Carpentry, Construction, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC. Please be sure to address this in your cover letter. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE High school graduate or equivalent. Requires landscape maintenance experience. Snow removal experience, will train on equipment. Other maintenance, painting or carpentry experience helpful. WORKING CONDITIONS • Work involves frequent exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises. • Mandatory – when snow is forecast this position will be on call and may be required to work extra time, on weekends and holidays. • Considerable physical activity, requires heavy physical work; climbing ladders, lifting, pushing or pulling of objects more than 50 lbs. Physical work is a primary part of the job. Office moves, working with a partner to lift heavy items, involve moving desks and cabinets, can occur several times per year. • Work environment involves some exposure to hazard or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions. • Mandatory - Work may require using a company vehicle to service remote locations, year round. Candidate must have or be able to obtain a valid AZ Driver’s license and have an excellent driving record. A Motor Vehicle department background check will be performed annually. Serious violations will be grounds for immediate dismissal. • No Smoking campus – due to the historic nature of our site all Lowell Observatory grounds and facilities are smoke-free, at all times. • Lowell Observatory has a Covid-19 Vaccination Mandate currently in effect for staff members. You may find more information about the mandate on the careers page of our website. Schedule: 40 hours/week; expect more hours during periods of heavy snow. Morning availability required, during periods of heavy snow weekend work is required. Typical work day is 7AM- 3PM Benefit Eligible: Yes* FLSA Classification: Hourly, Non-Exempt To Apply: Please visit our website www.lowell.edu/careers for a complete job description and instructions on how to apply. Applications received by January 23rd 2022 will receive priority attention. Position Open Until Filled. *Benefits Overview: In addition to 11 scheduled paid holidays, Lowell Observatory offers a Flexible Paid Time Off policy for all full-time, benefit eligible employees which allows you to determine how much time you need to rest and enjoy yourself outside of work. The cost of premiums for medical, life & long term disability insurances for benefit eligible employees is 100% paid by the company, and includes a contribution to either an H.S.A or HRA account for first dollar medical expenses. Up to a 5% match on retirement contributions after 6 months of employment and funds in lifestyle spending account provided by the observatory.