Job no: 513307
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Grounds Departments
Union: AFSCME
Categories: Facilities/Grounds, Skilled Labor

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Supervises a portion of the staff of Construction Services and provides substitute coverage for the Head of Grounds Service Section (Construction Services) in his/her absence.

Essential Functions

• Operates or supervises employees who operate heavy or specialized equipment used in highway and landscape maintenance such as an excavator, backhoe, road grader, road sweeper, road roller, catch basin cleaner, front-end loader, semitrailer, tractor, dump truck, bulldozer, and related equipment.
• Supervises employees who make emergency repairs of a minor nature to heavy or specialized grounds maintenance equipment.
• Operates or supervises employees who operate motor truck vehicles to travel to various designated locations to pick up and deliver supplies.
• Operates or supervises employees who operate heavy equipment for hauling construction materials as directed.
• Operates or supervises employees who operate road plows and heavy equipment in conjunction with snow removal operations.
• Supervises and assists in the backfilling and grading of various materials on slopes and level grades, paying attention to detail and working in a neat and orderly manner.
• Supervises the cleaning of University roads, parking lots, walks, gutter, drains, and catch basins.
• Supervises the building and repair of University sidewalks and roads.
• Maintains records and requisitions materials and equipment as needed.
• Approves daily and weekly time cards to assure accuracy and grants vacation, personal time, and sick time.

Other Functions

• Provides substitute coverage for the Head of Grounds Service Section (Construction Services) in his/her absence.
• Provides grounds related support for campus events as requested.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• A valid Massachusetts Class “A” Commercial Driver’s License with air brakes.
• A valid Class “2A” Hoisting License.
• Experience using heavy equipment including tractor-trailers, dump trucks, front end loaders, and backhoes.
• Knowledge and ability to operate various heavy and specialized equipment.
• Must be able to pass a NIDA 5 Drug Screen, per Federal CFR 49.
• Supervisory Experience.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in the use, care, and safe operation of a wide variety of specialized landscape maintenance equipment.
• Knowledge of the state laws pertaining to the operation of heavy equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to operate heavy equipment and to perform manual labor for extended periods.
• Experience in the operation of a variety of heavy or specialized highway and landscape maintenance equipment.
• Ability to plan and coordinate the work of an assigned group of employees.
• Ability to operate power driver equipment.
• Experience in grounds maintenance.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with other employees and the public.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Experience using an excavator.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Position requires the ability to balance, carry, push, pull, stand, bend, climb, drive, reach, twist, lift and perform repetitive movements.
• Incumbent intermittently works for long periods of time under extreme weather conditions.

Additional Details

• Incumbent must ensure service desk is provided with a current phone number for use in callbacks.

Work Schedule

• Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 3:00 pm.
• Must be available for scheduled overtime and callbacks during emergencies.
• Position includes obligation to work overtime and return to work between scheduled shifts when directed.

Salary Information

Grade 14

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit your application online and include a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references. The position will remain open until filled.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Mar 3 2022 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: