Laborer Landscape

SUMMARY

Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortar less segmental concrete masonry wall units.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Operate vehicles and powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chain saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, and pruning saws.
• Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edger’s.
• Shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots and spread salt in those areas.
• Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls.
• Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
• Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
• Gather and remove litter.
• Maintain or repair tools, equipment, or structures, such as buildings, greenhouses, fences, or benches, using hand or power tools.
• Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
• Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, burial sites, or other grounds features.
• Maintain irrigation systems, including winterizing the systems and starting them up in spring.
• Care for natural turf fields, making sure the underlying soil has the required composition to allow proper drainage and to support the grasses used on the fields.
• Use irrigation methods to adjust the amount of water consumption and to prevent waste.
• Haul or spread topsoil or spread straw over seeded soil to hold soil in place.
• Advise customers on plant selection or care.
• Care for artificial turf fields, periodically removing the turf and replacing cushioning pads or vacuuming and disinfecting the turf after use to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
• Plan or cultivate lawns or gardens.
• Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.
• Install rock gardens, ponds, decks, drainage systems, irrigation systems, retaining walls, fences, planters, or playground equipment.
• Mark design boundaries and paint natural or artificial turf fields with team logos or names before events.
• Build forms and mix and pour cement to form garden borders.

COMPETENCIES

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas; presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and principles; upholds organizational values.

• Communications - Strong problem solving, risk management, organization, and communication skills.  Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally; expresses ideas and thoughts in written form; exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

• Quantity - Meets productivity standards; completes work in timely manner; strives to increase productivity; works quickly.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality.

QUALIFICATIONS The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and/or Experience

1+ years landscape experience preferred.  Experience using motorized machines and tools used in landscaping.  Ability to work quickly and efficiently.  Requires a great deal of discipline and stamina as well as the ability to work well on a team.  Good attention to detail and constant alertness are necessary for safety reasons and to avoid careless mistakes.  Work is physical and requires constant exposure to the elements, including extreme heat.  Requires exposure to cold, heat, noise, outdoors, confining work space, electrical hazards, chemicals, dust, and mechanical hazards

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk and sit.  This position may be very active and may require standing and walking for the duration of a shift, sitting and driving, lifting, pushing, digging, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, climbing, using hands to fingers, touching and holding, and reaching with hands and arms; regularly required to speak and hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.