Equipment Operator A

About the position:

Join Our Team at Millersville University!

• Comprehensive Health Coverage – Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Retirement Plans – Choose from two excellent options
• Tuition Waiver – Invest in your education or your family’s
• Paid Time Off – Vacation, sick leave, and holidays to recharge
• Full Benefits Summary(PDF)

Why Millersville?

• Strong student-faculty connections
• 70+ undergraduate and 24 graduate programs
• A stunning campus and vibrant community
• Outstanding job placement for graduates

Our Mission & Values:

Equal Opportunity for All:

• Properly operate, care for and service power operated equipment used for grounds keeping activities. Check fuel, oil, hydraulic, brake and battery fluid levels; add or change same as necessary; inspect and replace belts and hoses; change tires; install, remove, oil, grease and adjust grounds keeping equipment and/or attachments; wash and/or steam clean equipment and attachments. Perform preventative maintenance utilizing hand and/or power tools, such as sharpening blades, and minor repairs not requiring the services of a mechanic. Clean and store equipment in proper manner.
• Use appropriate landscaping methods to care for, preserve and water plants; sod, seed and fertilize lawns; prepare beds and properly install appropriate plant material; apply pesticides, as necessary. Properly prune trees and shrubs. Provide maintenance for annuals and perennials, water lawns and other plantings as needed. Properly mow, edge, weed and trim lawns with appropriate tools or hands, operate equipment properly to avoid injury to self and others. Spray for broadleaf weeds and apply fertilizer and pesticides as needed (after attaining proper licensing). Install hard scape and maintain ponds to include feeding wildlife.
• Police campus grounds for litter/debris and empty exterior trash receptacles. Rake and/or blow grass clippings and leaves; set up and operate sprinklers; remove debris from outdoor areas; and cut and remove trees/limbs. Service cigarettes urns. Assist in chemical cleaning and/or sandblasting/pressure washing of sidewalks or building surfaces to remove stains and graffiti. Assist in the repair of all sidewalks, fences, signs, parking lots, campus streets and the occasional sink hole.
• Segregate, strip, collect and transport recycling materials throughout campus and to offsite locations. Dismantle some equipment components to obtain the highest recycling revenue.
• Assist others with manual labor or equipment operations for planned projects, excavation, auguring holes, retaining wall construction, plantings, and maintenance. Install and replace campus exterior signage. Assist with pothole repairs and road and parking lot striping.
• Maintain athletic fields to NCAA specifications. Properly grade, drag and/or roll playing surfaces; use wet or dry marker to lay out marker lines for events. Mow, water, aerate, fertilize, re-seed and protect fields. Assist in handling and storing of equipment; clean up playing fields and viewing stands after sporting events. Promptly report all safety and maintenance issues.
• Remove snow and ice during winter months using appropriate procedures to ensure the safety of students, employees, and visitors. Use shovels, sweepers, plows, blowers, tractors, trucks and/or other equipment to clear sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and paths of snow and/or ice; spread salt or cinders on surfaces as appropriate; and break/remove ice, as necessary.
• Support special events such as commencement, homecoming, athletic events, camps, etc. Support includes but is not limited to traffic control, barrier set up/tear down, installing/removing field protection, or moving supplies and materials.
• Support special events such as commencement, homecoming, athletic events, camps, etc. Support includes but is not limited to traffic control, barrier set up/tear down, installing/removing field protection, or moving supplies and materials.
• Document time and materials in the department’s work order system.
• Perform related work as required.
• All other duties as assigned.

• In the performance of the duties, the employee must be knowledgeable and experienced with safe operation of equipment and tools (hand and power).
• Immediately reports accidents and incidents to include near misses.
• Work safely by using Personal Protective Equipment, maintaining equipment, following safety procedures and policies, etc.
• Complete safety training within first two weeks of start date and monthly thereafter.
• Seek additional training and certification to perform their duties.
• Identify safety issues related to equipment, tools, actions or processes.
• Review MSDS for chemicals related to the department.
• Be aware of and report potential safety hazards immediately.
• Resolve pending hazards in a timely fashion.
• Consult with supervisor or Environmental Health & Safety staff as needed to resolve unsafe conditions or obtain additional training/resources.
• Stop unsafe practice regardless of shop or contractor if imminently endangering life or severe property damage.
• Perform daily pre-operation checks on equipment.
• Leave work area clean and orderly at the end of shift and/or job.

• 6 months of experience in operation and maintenance of medium to heavy equipment or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Minimal one year experience in grounds keeping trade.
• Experience, knowledge and proficiency in operating heavy equipment (dump truck, forklift, ventrac, zero turns, tractors) and associated attachments.
• Ability to operate motorized vehicles and equipment.
• Knowledge and experience in care and maintenance of lawns, plants, trees, etc.
• Knowledge of recycling practices and methods.
• Ability to maintain and make ordinary repairs to machinery, equipment, and tools.
• Knowledge in maintaining athletic fields and equipment.
• Knowledge of herbicide, insecticide, and pesticide applications procedures.
• Knowledge of common occupational hazards and safety precautions of the trade.
• Ability to lay out and participate in planting, watering, sodding, spraying, and grooming of all university areas.
• Ability to lead groundskeepers in landscaping and gardening tasks.
• Ability to perform strenuous manual labor.
• Basic PC skills.
• Commitment to inclusive practices and working with diverse student populations.
• Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated strong analytical and excellent problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and in coordination with others.
• Must have PA State certification as a pesticide applicator and maintain proficiency.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Successful interview.
• Successful completion of three background checks.

• One year of experience in operation and maintenance on various pieces of heavy to medium equipment.
• Graduation relevant technical trade school or degree in related field.
• Experience working in a campus environment.

• Ability to work in person on campus.
• Significant amount of physical effort required.
• Moderate exposure to physical risks.
• Ability to sit/stand for long periods of time.
• Must work outside for up to 8 hours a day.
• Must be able to lift/pull/push up to 50 pounds.
• This position requires working in ice, snow, rain, and sunny conditions, and other adverse working conditions.
• Individuals must work mostly outdoors all year round, but some work is indoors.
• Work in conditions from 0°F to 100°F.
• Work environment may be dry, wet, humid, noisy from other construction activities or operation of building/grounds equipment.
• Will encounter presence of dust, odors, debris, chemicals, and other potentially hazardous materials.
• May have to work in cramped spaces and otherwise uncomfortable positions in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Must be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment, when necessary, hard hats, respirators, eye protection, hearing protection, etc.

• This position is represented by a labor union and is subject to the terms and conditions of the AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• This position is designated an essential employee position.
  • Employee is expected to report to work during their designated shift during emergency situations, university closures or delays.
  • Work performed during these events will require duties such as shoveling snow or assisting in storm recovery activities.
  • Some work may be outside normal job duties and functions such as interior flooding assistance or debris removal.
• Must attain State certification as a pesticide applicator within one year of hire and maintain proficiency.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to work on campus.