Lawn Care

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title:                                              Lawn Care Technician

Department:                                     Maintenance

Reports To:                                       Lawn Care Lead

FLSA Classification:          Non-Exempt - Hourly

Summary

The Lawn Care Technician is an at-will employee of the Housing Authority of the City of Victoria.  The Housing Authority (Authority) operates through laws passed by congress and the state, as well as, under rules and regulations issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  

Responsible for overall lawn care maintenance for all properties in the Authority's housing programs.  The Lawn Care Maintenance Technician is responsible for the overall lawn care of the properties to include mowing, weed-eating, bush and tree trimming, etc.  The duties listed below illustrate the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements regarding duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment in associate with this position.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Plans and directs work to ensure compliance with applicable HUD guidelines as well as federal, state, and local regulations, laws, ordinances, and the Authority's administration of programs.

Perform regular lawn care of grounds to ensure maintenance of curb appeal and resident compliance with applicable lease provisions.  Notify office staff when necessary and provide oversight of effective resolution of unsatisfactory conditions with residents.

Assist maintenance with plumbing leaks, as needed and as time permits.  

Perform dumpster runs and trash outs as needed and as time permits.

Maintains and handles equipment used to ensure that it is safe to use and performing efficiently.  Ensures that equipment is repaired correctly and replaced when necessary.

Promotes equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment, housing management, maintenance, and service delivery, and ensures compliance with all relevant legislation; ensures that qualified individuals are not excluded form participation in, denied the benefits of, or are subjected to discrimination under any program or activity under Asset Management programs (AMP).

Reviews and remains current on all relevant rules and regulations concerning appropriate Authority housing programs, as well as applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, codes, and Authority rules, regulations, and Admission and Occupancy Policies.

Attends relevant Authority meetings to exchange information and further the development and implementation of processes and activities to enhance overall performance, effective operations, and maintenance of optimum lease-up rates.

Accountable for consistent adherence to strong Authority standards regarding the ethical responsible, and appropriate use, care, and safeguarding of Authority materials, supplies, resources, and other assets.

Performs other duties as assigned by the Lawn Care Lead, Maintenance Superintendent, Deputy Executive Director, and/or Executive Director.

 

Qualifications and Knowledge

High School diploma or possession of a certificate of equivalence of High School Achievement (GED) or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Thorough knowledge of Authority policy and procedures as they pertain to property management and occupancy.

Thorough knowledge of HUD rules and regulations that apply to housing management.

Working knowledge of federal and state fair labor standards requirements.

Basic knowledge of building maintenance, fire prevention, and liability reduction principles.

Have a working knowledge on proper usage of equipment used in all aspects.  

Ability to read and interpret policies and guidelines in order to make sound decisions.

Ability to operate appropriate Authority computer equipment and software packages.

Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, verbally and in writing.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and multiple demands to accomplish tasks in accordance with established requirements.

Skilled in analyzing situations in order to identify problems and offer possible solutions.

Skilled in communicating on the level of the listener, recognizing when information has been misunderstood, and determining how to remedy the misunderstanding as needed to explain policies and procedures and to provide and exchange information to persons with varying levels of education, cultural backgrounds, and ages.

Ability to understand and utilize all functions and reports provided by computer software related to duties and responsibilities.

Valid driver's license and good driving record.

Ability to be covered under the Authority's fidelity bond.

 

Supervision Given and Received

Lawn Care Technician receives instructions primarily from the Lawn Care Lead.  Normally, the employee plans and carries out work activities with minimal supervision and independently resolves problems that arise.  The employee receives specific instructions when problems are brought to the attention by the supervisor and when the supervisor is contacted by the employee for direction.  The employee's work is reviewed for accuracy and compliance with organizational policies, federal, state and local regulations and attainment of objectives.

Lawn Care Technician is given instructions that are generally broad and nonspecific; however, instructions are occasionally direct and specific to address a particular situation or problem.  Program polices are conveyed through the regular staff meetings and/or other appropriate procedures and open communications are encouraged.  Employee monitors their work for accuracy, completeness, conformity to policy, achievement of goals and objectives.

 

Guidelines

Guidelines followed by Lawn Care Technician include established policies and procedures, published laws, regulations, handbooks, codes, and ordinances.  Materials used vary with the project and the entities involved, and independent research or contact with HUD representative is necessary depending on the activity requirements.  These guidelines cover most job-related situations and the employee is often required to use independent judgment in making decisions.  

The employee receives specific instructions when complaints are brought to the attention of the supervisor and when the supervisor is contacted by the employee for direction.  

 

Complexity

Lawn Care Technician performs a wide variety of routine and non-routine tasks.  The employee must identify the work that needs to be done, determine how to accomplish it, and coordinate, integrate, and prioritize a variety of tasks or assignments.  The employee must make regular decisions involving usual and unusual circumstances, conflicting data, conflicting and competing demands, or other non-routine occurrences.  The course of action is determined by the circumstances, assessment of critical issues, supervisor input, and by established procedures and applicable regulations.  Routinely, the employee makes decisions concerning management of staff using personal judgement based on prior experience.  

 

Scope and Effect

The employee's work affects a significant portion of the Authority's investments, total housing program goals, and the residents/tenants assisted by the Authority.  Effective and efficient accomplishment of work by the employee contributes significantly to the Authority's ability to provide adequate housing to the county's low-income residents.

 

Personal Contacts

The employee's personal contacts are mostly with local officials, contractors, social workers, other employees, and residents assisted by the Authority.  The purposes of these contacts are to give or exchange information, resolve problems, provide services, motivate, influence, interrogate, justify, defend, negotiate, and make decisions.

Regularly, contact requires negotiation and/or handling of controversial matters, and may include dealing with skeptical, uncooperative, unreceptive, and hostiles individuals, and potentially volatile situations.

 

Physical Demands

Work is physical in nature.  

Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, co-workers, residents, and persons outside the Authority.

Must be able to sit or stand for up to eight hours at a time while performing essential work duties.  

Must be able to bend, stoop, push, and pull in the performance of essential job-related duties (e.g. moving or carrying job-related objects or materials).

Must be able to use fingers bilaterally and unilaterally to operate job-related equipment.

Must have vision and hearing corrected to be able to perform essential job functions.

Must be able to work around various fumes, odors, and dusts.

Must be able to perform essential job functions in an environment that will sometimes include increased level of work-related stress.

Must maintain punctuality and attendance as scheduled.

 

Work Environment

Work involves the normal risks or discomfort associated with an apartment/shop environment and is usually in an area that is adequately cooled, heated, lighted, and ventilated, but also involves working outdoors during visits to dwellings or facilities.