Assistant Project Manager - Grounds

Who we are:
At Challenge Unlimited, our vision is to become a national leader in providing employment services to people with disabilities that empower them to reach their full potential. We intentionally provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities which will assist them to live, work, and participate in the community.

Challenge Unlimited is driven by its core values: community, helpfulness, abilities, leadership, learning, ethics, innovation, growth, and effective outcomes. It is these values that have powered Challenge Unlimited to its success and has helped over 600 disabled individuals find meaningful work across all of our locations.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Project Manager, the Assistant Project Manager is responsible for supporting work-related opportunities for people who have different abilities to work with integrated teams and receive work support and development as needed—achieving the highest level of independence possible.

Supervises employees and clients in the performance of grounds maintenance duties at the assigned site, providing training, daily instructions, support, and on-going feedback to all workers on job duties, proper procedures, and areas for improvement, with a special focus on safety and company culture. Completes quality inspections and record keeping ensuring contract compliance and customer satisfaction at the assigned site. Assists with managing labor and supply expenses, equipment, inventory, and record keeping .

• ​​​​ Schedule: 6:00am -2:30pm
• Pay Rate: $27.72
• Location: Mascoutah Illinois

Position Qualifications:

• Performance Management: Supervise assigned contract activities. Ensure work is performed in accordance with the contract’s statement of work and in compliance with Company policies and procedures, applicable laws and regulations, customer requirements, and quality and safety standards. Monitor labor, supply and equipment expenses and take appropriate action to meet budgets. Oversee and assist with installation of plant material, sod, lawns and paving material and other projects throughout work areas; pruning of trees, shrubs, and other plant materials as needed; mowing of turfs and edges using hand power equipment; sweeping of sidewalks, courtyards and walkways using hand or power tools; maintenance of lawn areas, shrub planting (beds), and trees. Transport crew to and from worksites as needed. Complete contractual paperwork as assigned. Follow Standard Operating Procedures to ensure consistency in all aspects of service delivery. Provide a safe environment for all workers and customers. Follow and enforce OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations. Complete incident and/or accident reports in accordance with Company policies. Take preventative and corrective action as needed. Conduct safety training, inspections, and ensure workers utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required.
• Quality: Maintain quality control standards by completing regular inspections and QC reports, promptly correcting any deficiencies and rectifying customer complaints. Maintain record of customer interactions, including complaints.
• Equipment and Supplies Maintenance: Maintain quality standards. Promptly correct any deficiencies and rectify any customer complaints. Transport crew to and from cleaning locations as needed. Relay pertinent information to workers and PM about any updates or changes to the contract in a timely, accurate manner.
• Client Development (Operations Work/Job Skills): Train and coach supervisors and team leaders on working with individuals with disabilities and apply those techniques in the workplace. Work with clients to help them develop job skills and work/behavior skills which may help them achieve the highest level of independence possible. Complete timely client assessments.
• Effective Leadership: Place people in positions to succeed. Provide the Grounds department workers with direction regarding contract requirements and job performance, including creating schedule and task responsibilities for the crew each day, ensuring work is performed according to the contract’s statement of work, company policies, and procedures. Oversee and direct any subcontractors used to supplement contract work. Interview, train, evaluate, discipline and process timekeeping for workers. Encourage effective outcomes and accountability. Communicate job expectations; motivate, coach, and counsel employees. Oversee site operations in PM’s absence. Build an effective company culture that embodies our Company values to achieve optimum performance levels and achieve goals and objectives.

Position Qualifications:

• Education: High School diploma or G.E.D. Preferred: 2 years of college.
• Experience: 2+ years’ work experience in grounds maintenance field. 2+ years’ work supervisory experience, preferably in the grounds maintenance, landscaping, or construction field.
• Background Checks:
  • Must pass criminal background check.
  • Must pass various State and Federal registry checks.
  • Must pass DCFS Abuse and Neglect Tracking System check.
• Computer Skills: Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Driving: Must pass driving history check and Company policy criteria. Must maintain a valid driver’s license and be 21 or older to drive. Company travel using personal insured vehicle is required.

Physical Demands:

• Sitting: Frequently sitting in the normal course of office-sedentary type work
• Standing: Occasionally standing, walking, bending, squatting, reaching, and twisting in the normal course of office-sedentary type work and for training workers
• Hearing, Speaking: Frequently listens and speaks with managers, clients, and employees to communicate instructions, exchange feedback, conduct meetings and communicate regarding contracts.
• Seeing: Continually visually alert to monitor employee and client actions, work with computer systems, documents, and reports and to drive in the course of work
• Handling: Frequently using hands in typing, calculating, filing, phone and other office equipment use, grasping, lifting, carrying, wiping, and squeezing.
• Movement: Occasionally bending, reaching, and twisting; occasionally climbing stairs and/or ladders squatting, and kneeling to clean, dust, inspect, remove trash, sweep, and mop.
• Lifting: Occasionally lifting, carrying, and pushing or pulling up to 50 pounds of mop buckets and/or trash barrels.

Benefits:

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Life Insurance (Basic & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Holidays)
• Short Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Retirement Plan (401k)
• Employee Assistance Program

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.