Grounds Worker
Overview
The Grounds Worker is responsible for ensuring the year-round safety, accessibility, and aesthetic quality of the facility's exterior environment. Reporting to the Services Supervisor, this role involves a blend of manual labor, equipment operation, and proactive maintenance.
Responsibilities
- Winter Maintenance: Removing snow and ice from pedestrian areas using hand tools and motorized equipment.
- Infrastructure & Safety: Maintaining clear access to fire hydrants/standpipes and repairing roadways, parking lots, sidewalks, and drainage systems (culverts/catch basins).
- Landscaping: Maintaining exterior grounds, exterior planters, and the artificial lake(including water level control).
- Sanitation: Collecting litter/rubbish and performing inspections
- Equipment: Performs regular, proactive maintenance on grounds equipment, machinery, and vehicles to ensure operational readiness. Operating heavy machinery (trucks, riding lawnmowers, backhoe, etc.)
- Problem-Solving Partnership: The role requires assisting the Grounds Lead Hand in investigating and implementing solutions for complex issues, such as snow removal strategies and general grounds upkeep.
Qualifications
- Minimum Grade 12 education.
- Experience: At least one year of experience in grounds maintenance or related field.
- Licensing: A valid G driver’s license with a good driving record is mandatory.
- Mandatory Training/Certifications: Candidates must possess or obtain the following: WHMIS training, Chainsaw certification, Tractor operation, Lawnmower operation.
- Must be able to perform heavy manual labor, including lifting and pushing/pulling, with the ability to occasionally handle weight more than 50lbs.
- General knowledge of safe work habits, traffic laws, defensive driving, and basic clerical/computer skills.
Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.
Lakehead University has a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of underrepresented groups among applicants, candidates, and hires. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups, is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.
We appreciate your interest; Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343-8010 ext. 8334 or human.resources@lakeheadu.ca to make appropriate arrangements.