Grounds Foreman

Title: Grounds Foreman

State Role Title: Trades Technician III

Hiring Range: Based on qualifications & experience

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Virginia Military Institute

Location: Virginia Military Institute

Agency Website: www.vmi.edu

Recruitment Type: Agency Employee Only - A

Job Duties

Virginia Military Institute is excited to announce that we are accepting applications for a Foreman in the Grounds Department that is a part of the Facilities Management. This position provides support for the Grounds Supervisor in their absence and helps maintain the grounds shop. The ideal candidates should be a team player with a background in landscaping maintenance.
Job Duties:
• Serve as the Point of Contact for day-to-day operations for the shop when the supervisor is absent, or not available, by attending meetings, providing instructions, ensuring work completion, policies and safety guidelines are followed, and updating supervisor of events, issues, and progress.
• Oversee and work with teams responsible for comprehensive athletic field and grounds maintenance, including field preparation and painting, mowing, edging, seeding, fertilization, and chemical applications.
• Manage landscaping tasks such as tree and hedge trimming or removal, mulching, and irrigation system upkeep.
• Complete event setup and support, furniture relocation, and seasonal duties such as leaf removal and snow and ice removal.
• Operate trucks, tractors, backhoes, front-end loaders, skid steer, mowers, snowplows and other equipment related to preventive and corrective grounds maintenance.
• Assist the supervisor in planning projects, establishing work schedules, ordering supplies, and overseeing contractors.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, including detailed entries in the work order (CMMS) system and thorough documentation of fertilizer and pesticide applications to ensure accountability and compliance.
• Respond to emails and phone calls in a professional and timely manner.
• Work well independently and with others in a team environment and the public.
• Occasionally work weekends and evenings to support VMI functions and emergencies and on call duties to respond to emergencies and/or weather-related issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management such as event preparation and support, inclement weather support, and special project teams.

Minimum Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written and communication skills.
• Problem solving skills and adaptability.
• Valid Virginia driver’s license with clean driving record required.
• Ability to work from heights and operate a power lift.
• Competent computer skills to include Outlook (email), Word, Excel, iPad, etc.
• Ability to obtain a pesticide and herbicide license within two years of hire.

Additional Considerations

• Commercial (not for hire) herbicide and pesticide application license or registered technician.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and record keeping procedures.
• Bucket Truck, JLG, scissor lift experience.
• Use of a maintenance database (CMMS).
• Technical proficiency in irrigation systems.
• Experience in Arboriculture or Horticulture.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information

Name: Tamara Wade

Phone: 540-464-7322

Email: hroffice@vmi.edu

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.