Landscape Laborer - 1.0 FTE - Maintenance Services

Posting Timeline

PPS strongly encourages and recommends everyone who is able, to be vaccinated and remain current on the COVID-19 vaccine.

This job is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received. Portland Public Schools reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any point during the posting period.

Position Details

Portland Public Schools (PPS) is seeking talented people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to lead change and inspire PPS students. At PPS, every employee, despite having different roles, is an educator. We hope to attract talented educators who model the core PPS Educator Essentials. With the District's focus on eliminating systemic racism and its adverse impact on student learning, we seek to hire individuals who bring to our district a deep commitment to racial equity and social justice. Non-Discrimination / Anti-Harassment Policy

1. Performs seeding, planting, mulching, land clearing, and topsoil spreading by the use of hand tools and power equipment.
2. Maintains artificial turf and operates specialized machines for that purpose.
3. Using hand tools and power equipment, clears land of surface vegetation.
4. Tills, spreads, and grades topsoil.
5. Installs, establishes, and maintains lawns, trees, and shrubs.
6. Assembles or places pre-manufactured and custom fabrication trelliswork, play equipment, benches and picnic tables.
7. Applies fertilizer and pesticides.
8. Mows grass.
9. Operates power machinery and tools.
10. Plants trees and shrubs.
11. Seeds grass and installs sod.
12. Prunes trees and shrubs.
13. Grooms shrub beds and planted areas.
14. Removes nuisance plant growth from improved and unimproved sites.
15. Grades cinder tracks.
16. Maintains and renovates athletic fields.
17. Performs duties of a journeyperson laborer/groundsworker as assigned.
18. Performs other reasonable duties as assigned.

1. Principles, practices and techniques involved in the construction, maintenance and repair of grounds and related facilities relating to the laborer/groundskeeper trade.
2. Principles, practices, and techniques of proper shrub and tree care, pruning, and plant identification.
3. The safe and proper use of pesticides, incorporating the principles of Integrated Pest Management.
4. Operating, maintaining, and design principles of automatic irrigation systems.
5. Federal, state and local laws, regulations and codes applicable to assigned areas of responsibility.
6. Safe work practices and safety equipment related to the work of the trade.

1. Perform heavy physical labor including but not limited to: lift items up to and sometimes exceeding 50 pounds.
2. Understand, interpret, explain and apply District policy and procedures governing assigned areas of responsibility.
3. Exercise sound, expert judgment within general policy guidelines.
4. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of District management, other governmental officials, contractors, vendors, employees and the public.
5. Follow and give oral and written instructions.
6. Read, interpret and perform normal trade duties in compliance with plans, prints and specifications.
7. Maintain cooperative working relationships.
8. Coordinate with site personnel and other trades for the purpose of completing projects safely and with minimal disruption of services.
9. Estimate time and material costs for the purpose of determining costs for specific jobs.
10. Respond to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns.
11. Transport tools and materials to job sites as required to complete tasks.
12. Assist other personnel as may be required for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment.
13. Demonstrate sensitivity to, and respect for a diverse population.
14. Use a computer to read and write emails and to enter time documentation. Utilize the maintenance work order system.
15. Operate heavy equipment and aerial equipment including man lifts, scissor lifts, bucket trucks, boom trucks, front-end loaders, and dump trucks.
16. Calibrate spray equipment and fertilizer spreaders.
17. Perform daily maintenance on common grounds equipment.
18. Operate vehicles that tow trailers carrying grounds maintenance equipment.

1. High school graduate or G.E.D. equivalent.
2. Evidence of successful substantial work experience in this trade including recent experience. Must have at least 3 years of experience in the landscaping trade.