HEAD GROUNDS WORKER

DEFINITION

Under direction of a supervisory official in a state department, institution, 
or agency, has charge of the maintenance of grounds; does other related 
duties as required.

NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes 
only.  A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed 
in this job specification.  Conversely, all duties performed on the job may 
not be listed.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Organizes the maintenance or institutional grounds and develops effective 
work measures, programs, schedules, and procedures.

Prepares daily work schedules for employees having custody of inmates, 
patients, students, and/or employees assigned to grounds duties, provides 
assignments and instructions, and supervises the performance of their 
work.

Plans, lays out, and directs work involved in maintenance of institutional 
grounds including preparation of soil, the seeding, rolling, weeding, and 
cutting of lawns, and the planting, transplanting, thinning, and harvesting 
of flowers for cutting and other use.

May plan the removal of snow and/or direct the operation of snow blowers 
and salt spreaders.

Plans, organizes, and assigns work of the organizational unit and evaluates 
employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective 
recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of  
subordinates.

Supervises the care of noncultivated areas of the grounds and sees that 
these are properly maintained.

Supervises the proper use of equipment, materials, supplies, and 
implements used to maintain grounds including tractors, grass cutters, 
scythes, hoes, rakes, sprinklers, garden hose, cultivators, spades, shears, 
spraying devices, fertilizers, seeds, and other garden and grounds keeping 
equipment and tools.

Prepares requisitions for equipment, materials, and supplies and ensures 
these  are properly safeguarded, stored, used, and recorded.

Supervises the measures taken to ensure the safety, custody, and progress 
of inmates, patients, and others assigned to grounds work.

Reports suspicious persons and behavior and takes appropriate actions.

Directs and performs tree care and tree surgery duties required on 
institution grounds which may involve  climbing and topping of tall trees.

Supervises the care and propagation of trees, and personally plants trees 
and shrubs.

Prepares reports of unusual occurrences and significant conditions in the 
buildings or on the  grounds and takes those steps required to ensure safe, 
orderly conditions.

Prepares periodic reports of the progress of individual inmates, patients, or 
employees and prepares reports on grounds maintenance activities 
containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Maintains records and files.

May be required to undergo fire training classes (in the Department of 
Human Services).

Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or 
manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or 
related units.

REQUIREMENTS

	EXPERIENCE
	
	Two (2) years of experience performing large scale groundwork, 
	gardening, tree surgery, and tree care operation, one (1) year of which shall 
	have been in a supervisory capacity.
	
	LICENSE
	
	Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New 
	Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is 
	necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
	
	Appointees may be required to obtain a NJ Certified Pesticide Applicator's 
	or Operator's Permit in the required categories.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of methods used to plan and supervise work relating to 
maintenance of extensive lawns and other areas.

Knowledge of tree culture and tree surgery methods, materials, and 
procedures.

Ability to oversee the work of inmates, patients, and others.

Ability to lay out flower beds and direct the preparation of soil, planting of 
seeds, weeding and thinning of bedding stock, and production of flowers 
for cutting purposes.

Ability to supervise staff involved in the growth of trees, shrubbery, and 
perennial plants, and to direct the pruning of trees and shrubs, weeding and 
mowing of lawns, and trimming of hedges.

Ability to perform tree care and oversee tree surgery work which involves 
the climbing of trees of varied heights.

Ability to provide guidance and instruction to staff.

Ability to supervise the use of equipment, materials, tools, and supplies 
and to train patients, inmates, and/or employees to properly use these.

Ability to take the measures required to ensure the safety and custody of 
inmates, patients, or employees assigned to grounds keeping work, to 
recognize suspicious and/or dangerous situations and occurrences, and to 
take necessary measures to secure safe, orderly conditions.

Ability to requisition, safeguard, store, and record the equipment, tools, 
materials, and supplies.

Ability to prepare clear, sound, and accurate reports concerning grounds 
keeping and progress containing findings, conclusions, and 
recommendations.

Ability to maintain records and files.

Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and 
information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English 
sufficiently to perform duties of this position.  American Sign Language or 
Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can 
perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is 
made to their known limitations.  If the accommodation cannot be made 
because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may 
not be eligible.

CODES:     15/R16 - 42745      MCK     03/03/05