NRHA’s Vision and Mission

At the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA), we’re proud to be the largest housing and redevelopment authority in Virginia and a leader in real estate development and property management across the country. Since 1940, we’ve been working to revitalize and improve neighborhoods in Norfolk.

We also acknowledge that public housing has a complicated history, tied to issues of social injustice and racial inequality. While we haven’t always gotten it right, we’re committed to making positive change by offering quality housing options that support diverse, mixed-income communities. Our vision is to provide quality housing choices in neighborhoods where people want to live. Our mission is to provide quality housing opportunities that create sustainable, mixed-income communities.

 Position Summary 

Performs difficult and complex grounds maintenance work at public housing communities and NRHA work sites. Leads grounds maintenance crew in performing varied seasonal grounds work. Operates moderate-sized machinery and equipment to perform grounds maintenance duties. Performs varied seasonal grounds work, generally performing difficult, non-routine, and complex grounds keeping activities and assists lesser skilled staff in performing difficult, non-routine, and complex grounds keeping activities. Operates common grounds maintenance machinery and equipment. Coordinates grounds keeping activities of crew(s) with other parties. Operates truck and trailer to transport crews, equipment, and machinery to work site; may load and unload truck. Performs routine maintenance and minor repairs of grounds maintenance equipment. Participates in special projects related to grounds maintenance as assigned.

Essential Functions

Leads grounds maintenance crew in performing varied seasonal grounds work, including but not limited to maintenance of lawns and gardens; routine soil testing, maintaining shrubbery, topiaries, and other ornamental horticulture; nursery production; providing for water drainage on properties; installing playground equipment; dispersing sand in playground areas; and implementing and maintaining assigned landscaping projects.

Supervises grounds maintenance staff to ensure effective and efficient operations; may perform the full range of supervisory activities, including but not limited to assigning and coordinating work; acting on employee problems; and recommending hiring, promoting, training, developing, disciplining, rewarding employees, and evaluating.

Operates moderate-sized machinery and equipment to perform grounds maintenance duties, including but not limited to front-end payloader, backhoe, tractors, and dump trucks; may be assigned as lead equipment operator for a specific kind of machinery or equipment.

Performs varied seasonal grounds work, generally performing difficult, non-routine, and complex grounds keeping activities and assists lesser skilled staff in performing difficult, non-routine, and complex grounds keeping activities.

Operates common grounds maintenance machinery and equipment, including but not limited to grass mowers, sod-cutters, seeders, concrete saws, chain saws, edgers, hedge shears, spreaders, grading boxes, rotary tillers, aerators, leaf blowers, and pulverizers.

Coordinates grounds keeping activities of crew(s) with other parties to assure effective and efficient completion of work; parties include but are not limited to other NRHA staff and Tenant Management Corporations (TMCs).

Operates truck and trailer to transport crews, equipment, and machinery to work site; may load and unload truck.

Performs routine maintenance and minor repairs of grounds maintenance equipment.

Performs general administrative duties in support of grounds maintenance activities: receives, prioritizes, and assigns daily work orders to subordinate staff; reviews work orders following completion of assignment; records completed work orders; enters data into computer for recording of daily worksheets; identifies and reschedules incomplete work; verifies inventory use; orders and receives materials and supplies; and maintains property logs and schedules.

Participates in special projects related to grounds maintenance as assigned; trains lesser-skilled employees in performing difficult grounds maintenance tasks; may monitor special work programs, such as summer youth worker program; and may plan, develop, and implement small-scale grounds maintenance projects.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

High School diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).

Five to seven years of routine grounds maintenance work experience.

Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience necessary to obtain the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Current and valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Comprehensive and current knowledge of grounds maintenance concepts, principles, methods, and procedures; includes general knowledge of horticultural concepts, principles, methods, and procedures.

General knowledge of management principles, concepts, methods, and techniques.

Proficient knowledge of the operation of grounds maintenance machinery and equipment; includes knowledge and skill in operating moderate-sized earth moving equipment, such as front-end pay-loader, backhoe, tractor, and dump truck.

Comprehensive and current knowledge of safety procedures related to the performance of grounds maintenance work.

Operational knowledge and skill to operate a motor vehicle to transport staff, equipment, materials, and supplies from work site to work site.

Operational knowledge and skill to operate personal computer; includes basic knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, electronic communications, and CYMA software applications.

Literacy and arithmetical skills to read instructions and directions, and to perform simple arithmetic calculations.

Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written directions.

Oral and written communication skill to present and make comprehensible information regarding shop operations, of which some information may be technical in nature; provide clear work instructions; compose technical reports; and respond to questions on a variety of job-related matters.

Human relations skills, particularly communication, leadership, and persuasive skills. The jobholder must have the capacity to deal effectively with a wide variety of individuals, including those who exhibit skepticism or who do not cooperate with the jobholder. Includes skill in working in a team environment.

Analytical ability to diagnose common and uncommon grounds maintenance problems and determine a solution based on standard practices and precedents.

Ability to exercise independent judgment to estimate time to complete assignment, select work method, determine if additional assistance is needed; and complete assignment without immediate supervision.

Ability to exercise independent initiative to identify and resolve unanticipated grounds maintenance problems.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, see, or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Job requires depth perception.

NRHA will consider equivalent substitutes for education and/or experience, provided that the candidate can demonstrate that he/she has obtained the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the job.

NRHA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. The compensation offer will be determined by the candidate's work history and skill set. Benefits include VRS retirement, medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; long-and short-term disability insurance; tuition reimbursement options; public service loan forgiveness, and much more.

Drug Free Workplace: NRHA maintains a drug free workplace.

VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.

The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law. We value diversity and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.