Grounds Foreperson - Athletic Operations

About Us

As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University (VSU) is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our communities' rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgia's Core Values.

Blazer CreedValdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity, and citizenship. As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University.Civility - A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.Integrity - Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.Citizenship - Every Blazer has an interest in the well-being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles of Civility, Integrity, and Citizenship.

Job Summary

Lead, coordinate, plan, and participate in specialized maintenance of campus grounds and landscaping.

Responsibilities

Typical Allocation of Duties:

Grounds maintenance and landscaping services - 40%
Direct activities of workers who perform duties, such as landscaping, cultivating lawns, or pruning trees and shrubs. Provide workers with assistance in performing duties as necessary to meet deadlines.

Inspect, plan, and assign - 25%
Plan skilled landscaping and grounds maintenance projects by reviewing work order requests, maintenance requests and other related items; reads and interprets work order, project plans, and instructions; and inspects completed work for conformance with specifications and adherence to safety rules.

Process documents - 20%
Process work orders, purchase orders, and invoices.

Train, coordinate, and communicate - 15%
Train and monitor work of assigned personnel; make recommendations and investigate problems to ensure that landscaping and grounds maintenance work is completed according to the parameters of the project; interact with faculty, staff, and students on the status of work order requests.

Supervisor Expectations:

• Oversee and ensure completion of all athletic field maintenance operations, including mowing, topdressing, overseeding, aerifying, sod installation, pruning, planting, fertilization, and chemical applications (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides).
• Oversee field preparation and layout, ensuring accurate painting and marking of natural and synthetic turf in compliance with NCAA standards.
• Direct and monitor maintenance, operation, and repair of small and large equipment used in turf and landscape management.
• Evaluate turf health by identifying diseases, insect damage, and environmental stress; implement and oversee corrective treatments and preventative measures.
• Ensure accurate documentation and compliance for chemical applications, equipment usage, maintenance procedures, and operational records.
• Oversee inspection, maintenance, and repair of irrigation systems to ensure proper functionality across all athletic field areas.
• Manage inventory control and ensure proper storage, organization, and availability of tools, equipment, and supplies.
• Ensure full compliance with all applicable NCAA regulations in daily operations.
• Perform and delegate additional duties as needed to support departmental goals and operational efficiency.

Required Qualifications

Required Experience
High school diploma and five (5) years of related work experience. Must possess a valid driver's license.

Proposed Salary

$20.65/hr ($42,958/annual)

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Conditions of Employment

Applicants are required to provide:

• professional references with current contact information
• documentation of academic credentials
• employment history

Please note that during the search process, VSU reserves the right to:

• ask candidates who will serve in Positions of Trust to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment,
• view social media outlets, and
• remove job postings without additional notification.

Employment is contingent upon:

• successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background check
• reference checks

Employment may also be contingent upon the job-based requirements if applicable for your position:

• satisfactory credit check
• successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
• pre-employment drug testing
• confirmation of credentials

After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training:

• New employee orientation
• VSU's Annual Compliance Training:
• USG Ethics Policy
• Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities Policy
• Drug Free Workplace
• Sexual Misconduct and Title IX
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Motor Vehicle Policy
• Workers Compensation (new hires)
• Georgia Open Records Act (new hires)
• USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly)
• Job-specific training such as: FMLA and Worker's Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive Driving

Equal Employment Opportunity

Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.

Background Check

Position of Trust + Credit

Accommodations

If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings, apply for a job on this site, or participate in the search process as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Catherine Wills, in the Office of Human Resources at croark@valdosta.edu.

Special Applicant Instructions

Valdosta State University may provide employment-based immigration sponsorship for select positions when consistent with institutional needs, University policy, and applicable law. Sponsorship is considered on a case-by-case basis and is not available for all positions. Applicants who anticipate requiring employer sponsorship now or in the future are encouraged to contact Human Resources early in the recruitment process with questions regarding sponsorship eligibility.

Clery Disclosure

If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings, apply for a job on this site, or participate in the search process as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Catherine Wills, in the Office of Human Resources at croark@valdosta.edu.