Trinity University Physical Plant

1
Welcome!

• Trinity University Physical Plant

Last Updated 5-3/2005
2
New Employee Orientation
Welcome to the Physical Plant at Trinity
University. Now that you have completed your
interviews and been accepted for employment, it
is time to acquaint you with the department and
your new job so you will understand your rights
and responsibilities, and the regulations and
procedures you must follow.

• One Trinity Place
• San Antonio TX 78212-7200
• www.trinity.edu

3
The Physical Plant is effectively responsible for
all buildings and grounds belonging to the campus
community. This is an enormous task that
involves the coordinated effort from a large
number of people.
Our mission is to provide maintain and enhance an
aesthetic, functional and safe physical
environment and associated services that support
the mission of the University
Lets take a moment to introduce you to some of
the Physical Plant personnel you will encounter
on a daily basis.
4
Office Staff a little more info -
John Greene, Director of Physical Plant, is
responsible for the effective functioning of the
entire department. He oversees all Physical
Plant operations and answers directly to the Vice
President of Fiscal Affairs.
Assistant Director in charge of Crafts and
Utilities, is directly responsible for the
ongoing functions of the Physical Plant as they
specifically relate to the skilled trades.
Sharon Curry, Contract and Project Coordinator,
is involved in the direct, daily contact with
contract vendors as well as assisting to monitor
the efforts of the on-site custodial contractor.
Sharon is also instrumental in the effective
operation of the Physical Plant Service Request
System.
Mike Schweitzer, Assistant Director in charge of
Landscape Services, is directly responsible for
the day-to-day operations relating to grounds and
athletic field maintenance. Mr. Schweitzer is
also involved in overseeing campus construction
projects.
5
Office Staff a little more info -
Roseanne Ramon handles the majority of key
requests for the University. In addition to her
key duties, Roseanne also assists with the
telephone switchboard and the radio dispatching
of Physical Plant personnel.
Adan Garza III is the Physical Plant safety
Technician. He is responsible for insuring that
Physical Plant personnel are properly equipped
and trained in all aspects of state and federal
safety related laws and regulations.
6
Office Staff a little more info -
Mindy Brent is the Physical Plant Computer
Design, or CAD, Technician, and plays a valuable
role in providing detailed campus utility plans,
maps and information to both Physical Plant
personnel and contractors alike.
Eleni Moncrief handles the majority of service
requests generated by the campus community. Her
tasks include the creation and dispersal of work
orders and the radio communication and
dispatching of Physical Plant personnel in
appropriate situations.
Sandra Castaneda is in charge of the accounting
division of the Physical Plant. All paper work
regarding purchases, payments or receipts is
handled in her office.
7
Lets Proceed
In general, your regularly assigned duties will
relate to your particular job title. This is
especially true in the area of Crafts and
Utilities, where employees are hired based upon
their skills or experience in fields such as
plumbing, electrical, painting, carpentry and
HVAC. However, in regards to Landscape Services,
special departmental activities often require
that employees be assigned different duties to
meet the needs of the University.
8
Landscaping Services

• Grounds employees typically work in crews to
  operate and maintain tractors and attachments,
  mowers, loaders and trucks. Depending on the
  season, they also assist in the installation and
  repair of sprinkler systems, signs, barricades,
  fences and landscape construction.

9
Landscaping Services cont
These are just some of the employees
responsible for the care and maintenance of
plants, shrubs, lawns and the installation and
maintenance of sprinkler systems. They use small
power tools such as mowers and edger's to carry
out their assigned duties. Each groundskeeper is
responsible for making sure that the tools used
are in good condition for the specified
activities such as planting, watering, setting
sprinklers, fertilizing, spraying, preparing
beds, hoeing, mowing and edging, picking up
trash, sweeping sidewalks and other tasks
involved in maintaining the general appearance of
the campus. Groundskeepers who are assigned to
a designated area are responsible for performing
any or all of the above duties to maintain the
area in as good a condition as possible at all
times. Groundskeepers not assigned to a
specific area work in crews to perform assigned
tasks throughout the campus. Positions of a
specialized nature include grounds maintenance
assistants who are responsible for horticultural
tasks, and tree maintenance specialists who
accomplish large-scale pruning, removal and care
of trees, and brush removal.
10
(No Transcript)
11
Safety!!!
Regardless of your position of employment, the
Physical Plant is concerned for your safety and
welfare. In addition to training provided by the
Safety Technician, your supervisors and foremen
will instruct you in the manner by which you are
to carry out routine duties. They will also
instruct you when special duties are assigned.
If you do not completely understand their
instructions, ask questions! If you are ever
unsure as to how to operate a piece of equipment,
ask for instructions!

• Personal Protective Equipment
• Eye Protection
• Foot Protection
• Ergonomics
• and the list goes on

12
Safety Inspect your Equipment

• If you believe a piece of equipment is unsafe,
  do not operate the equipment and notify your
  leader immediately. Safety depends upon your
  common sense and is your responsibility. The
  department has adopted safety rules that are
  designed to protect and assist you in performing
  a safe job. While following these rules may seem
  inconvenient, they are based on sound reasoning
  and could save you from a tragic accident.
  Always stay alert!

13
Safety Eye Protection

• Safety goggles must be worn when you are
  operating push mowers, edger's, sprayers, chain
  saws, and grinders. Riding mower operators shall
  wear safety glasses during mowing operations.
  Flying objects can cause blindness.
• All tractors, mowers, and the like shall have
  only one person on them. Remember One seat
  one rider. In the rare occasion where an
  employee is required to ride in the back of a
  pick-up truck, keep your arms and legs inside the
  bed. Do not sit on the tailgate or toolbox, and
  do not stand while the vehicle is moving.

14
Safety Watch for Hazards
All employees are expected to keep a sharp
lookout for hazards that might injure any of the
campus community or visitors. Keep in mind that
low hanging branches as well as holes and
depressions in lawn areas or streets could cause
serious injuries. Report any possible hazard to
your leader immediately. If any type of
emergency should arise, contact the office
immediately call 210.999.8411. For life
threatening emergencies, call Campus Safety at
210.999.7070
15
Right to Know

• In compliance with the Texas Hazard
  Communication Act, we maintain for your
  information Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
  for any chemical you may be required to use in
  carrying out your duties. We will also train you
  to use any such chemical in a safe manner.
• Material Safety Data Sheets are located in Ste.
  212 and in the time clock room located at the
  Physical Plant.
• http//www.trinity.edu/departments/physical_plant/
  Material20Safety20Data20Sheets.html
• Please note the above link is a work in progress
  site and is updated periodically.

16
Authorized Drivers
All Physical Plant employees must possess and
maintain a valid Texas Drivers License and proof
of insurance. You must be cleared to drive on
University business before you can operate any
University vehicle. You must obey the traffic
regulations set forth by the University, the City
of San Antonio and the State of Texas. If you
receive a ticket for a moving violation, you will
pay the fine.
17
On the job parking.

• When you park, park properly.
• Service vehicles may park in the following areas
  which are listed in priority order
• (1) service area/drive must be used if the
  building has one
• (2) visitor space or
• (3) on the street.
• Never park in a handicap space, a reserved
  space, a bus stop or in front of a fireplug.

18
Dress Code

• All employees must abide by the
  departmental dress code. This dress code is
  designed not only for your protection but also to
  ensure that all employees present a neat
  appearance to the general public. You must not
  wear sandals or canvas tennis shoes. Only
  steel-toed leather shoes or boots are allowed.
  Until you are a fulltime employee with benefits
  (including uniforms), the dress code is as
  follows Shirts must be worn at all times. No
  halter-tops, tank tops, completely sleeveless
  shirts or clothing with profane or vulgar
  language or emblems will be allowed. If a shirt
  has tails, it must be tucked in. If it has
  buttons, it must be buttoned to the second
  button. No shorts or cut-offs will be allowed.
  If an employee violates the dress code, he or she
  will be sent home to change.
• Jewelry should be kept to a minimum and all
  dangling earrings and other loose jewelry, such
  as necklaces, should be left at home. There is a
  danger of catching these items in machinery while
  you are working.

Uniform Long Sleeve shirts and uniform shorts are
appropriate when working in the Texas sun.
19
Job Injury - Responsibilities

• Any injury you receive on the job should
  be reported to your foreman and safety officer at
  once. This includes insect bites and allergic
  reactions. Workers Compensation Insurance covers
  all employees for on the job injuries. The
  insurance carrier will pay medical bills for on
  the job injuries. If you are unable to work due
  to an on the job injury, you will be compensated
  either through accumulated sick leave, if any,
  for the first seven days and then by workers
  compensation payments or until all sick leave is
  expended and then by workers compensation
  payments, if the length of the disability so
  justifies, or through workers compensation
  payments entirely. You will have the opportunity
  to make this choice at the time of injury. In no
  case will compensation payments be made before
  the eighth day of absence of work. There is an
  initial delay of some three weeks before
  compensation payments begin. Should you be
  injured, your unit coordinator will explain these
  items in detail. At that time, he/she will
  complete a report of injury form, which will
  outline the circumstances of your accident for
  review by the department, the University Safety
  Committee, and the insurance carrier.
• Any time you are unable to work due to an on the
  job injury, you must call your foreman or
  superintendent once each week to report on your
  condition. Failure to keep the department
  apprised of your condition could result in
  termination of your employment for job
  abandonment.

20
Professionalism

• You should be courteous at all times to the
  public and fellow workers. Keep your tools, the
  shop area or your area room neat and clean. Do
  not use the office area as a gathering place.
  Your leader, foreman, and the superintendent will
  assist you to correct any problems you may have
  in carrying out your duties so that you can
  become a successful regular employee here at
  Trinity. The University does follow a plan
  whereby you will be evaluated by your foreman and
  superintendent after two, and five months of
  employment, and once a year thereafter. This
  evaluation is designed to inform employees on how
  well they are performing their duties and
  responsibilities and to offer suggestions,
  assistance, and support in aiding employees in
  improving job performance. In general, you will
  get along well if you maintain a good attitude.

21
Schedules and Breaks

• Our scheduled workweek is 40 hours or eight hours
  a day Monday through Friday. Depending upon your
  duties, the start time of your day may vary.
  There may be times, however, when departmental
  activities will demand this schedule be altered
  for brief periods.
• Lunch break is taken from either 1100 a.m. to
  1200 p.m., or from 1200 to 100. Employees
  must not leave their designated work area to
  return to the shop or area room for lunch until
  1050 a.m. or 1150. Work will resume in the
  designated work area promptly at 1200 or 100
  p.m.
• Breaks are taken twice each day typically from
  900 a.m. to 920, or from 1000 a.m. to 1020
  a.m. and from 200 p.m. to 220 p.m., or 300
  p.m. to 320 p.m. and are to be taken at the
  nearest convenient location where the employee
  can obtain a drink from a vending machine or
  water fountain. Do not travel across campus to a
  favorite spot or return to the shop unless it is
  nearby. Break time will include travel time to
  the break area. If you are working on a project
  that the foreman believes cannot be interrupted,
  a break will be taken upon completion of the
  project, if convenient. In no case will break
  time be taken at the end of the day if missed
  because of a project, nor will a missed break be
  compensated in any manner. Breaks are a
  privilege, not a mandatory event.

22
Assigned Areas

• You are expected to be in your designated work
  area at all other times. If you must leave the
  job site for any reason, you must first notify
  your foreman or the Physical Plant office.
  Failure to do so will be grounds for disciplinary
  action.
• If applicable, Groundskeepers who are assigned
  to a designated area will report to that area
  each day. There will be a room in the area
  assigned for the area groundskeepers use. He or
  she will be issued a key to this room.
• All other employees will report to the Physical
  Plants Maintenance shops. Tools, supplies, and
  vehicles are located here. Your leader will
  issue instructions, supplies and equipment for
  the day. Return special tools at the end of the
  day. You are responsible for each item you
  receive. If an item is lost or stolen, report to
  your leader immediately. Take care of equipment
  and keep it clean.
• It is important that you contact the Physical
  Plant office by 800 a.m. on any day you will not
  be at work or will be late for any reason. The
  number to call is 210-999-8411. Also, if you
  become ill or cannot return to work following the
  lunch break, you should contact the office by
  100 p.m. When you call, make sure you ask to
  talk to your foreman. If he is not available,
  leave a message to be given to him as soon as
  possible.

23
Paid Time off

• You should be aware of the regulations governing
  vacation, sick leave, holidays, and overtime. In
  the event of overtime work, you will be paid for
  overtime at the rate of time and one half.
• Only regular employees are eligible for vacation
  leave. Employees with up to two years service
  accrue 8 hours per month or 12 working days per
  year of paid vacation time. Although vacation
  time is accrued from the day of employment as a
  regular employee, you will not be eligible to
  take vacation until you have completed six full
  months of work. A request for vacation must be
  submitted to your leader and foreman three days
  in advance. A vacation leave is granted on a
  first come, first served basis to ensure that
  departmental needs are met. Your length of
  employment will determine the number of hours of
  vacation time you will accrue each year.

24
Paid Time off continued

• Paid sick leave accumulates at the rate of 8
  hours per month for regular employees. Sick
  leave with pay may be taken when illness or
  injury prevents the employees performance of
  duty or when a member of his immediate family is
  actually ill.
• Immediate family is defined as individuals
  who reside in the employees household and are
  related by kinship, adoption or marriage foster
  children who are certified by the Texas
  Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
  who reside in the employees household or minor
  children whether or not living in the employees
  household.
• An employees use of sick leave for family
  members not residing in the employees household
  is strictly limited to the time necessary to
  provide care and assistance to a spouse, child or
  parent of the employee who needs such care and
  assistance as a direct result of a documented
  medical condition. You must call the office to
  report your absence due to illness.
• To be eligible for sick leave with pay during a
  continuous period of more than three working
  days, you must submit a doctors note showing the
  nature of the illness or injury and the projected
  length of time off. In the case of extended
  illness, you must call your foreman or
  superintendent once each week to report your
  condition. Failure to keep the department
  apprised of your condition will result in
  termination of employment due to job abandonment.

25
Sick Leave Abuse

• Sick leave is not intended to provide extra
  vacation. The department monitors all absences
  and maintains complete records of all types of
  leaves. When a pattern of abuse is indicated,
  you will be subject to disciplinary action. If
  you have used all of your sick leave and miss
  work, you will not be paid. Save your sick leave
  until you need it!

26
Holiday Pay, Time Off

• Regular employees are eligible for holiday pay.
  Check with your foreman or leader for a holiday
  schedule.
• Employees receive pay when summoned for jury
  duty or subpoenaed to appear as a witness. When
  jury leave is necessary, notify your foreman or
  leader immediately.
• Funeral leave is granted upon death of an
  employees spouse, or the parents, grandparents,
  children, brothers or sisters of the employee or
  the employees spouse. The total time allowance
  will not normally exceed 3 days. Other relatives
  are not covered and vacation time must be used to
  cover time away from work.
• An employee may be granted an emergency leave
  when it is determined that there is good cause.
  An emergency leave is defined, as an unforeseen
  combination of circumstances calling for
  immediate action, which if not responded to,
  would present imminent danger to human life or
  substantial damage to property.

• Talk to your foreman and leader if jury duty,
  military reserve duty, a funeral or the like
  calls you away from work. We will advise you as
  to the procedure necessary to receive paid leave.

27
Promotions and Raises

• Employees may be under consideration for
  promotion as vacancies open up. Employees will be
  given first consideration for the open positions.
  To apply for a vacant position, log into the
  University website and go to the Personnel page
  and follow the instructions.
• There are two types of raises. The first type
  is the General Wage Adjustment given to all
  University employees. Any year the GWA is
  approved, it will begin as of June 1. The second
  type of raise is the merit salary increase that
  has been established to recognize those employees
  whose performances have been meritorious. Job
  performance and attitude are all factors when
  considering an employee for a merit increase.
  Merit increases are given only when funds are
  available.

28
In Closing . . .

• Problems which effect your job should be
  addressed immediately, and brought to the
  attention of your immediate supervisor. If
  he/she is unable to assist you with a solution,
  follow the chain of command. We like to sustain
  a happy, unified group of employees who take
  pride in the beauty of our campus as well as
  pride in themselves.
• In conclusion, welcome to the Physical Plant at
  Trinity University.

• Welcome to Trinity University Physical Plant

29
A quick note

• Many of the pictures used in this presentation
  were taken directly from the internet, if you
  maintain rights to any of the pictures used, feel
  free to contact me and I will remove them or add
  a note of thanks for the use of your picture.
  Adan
• agarza3_at_trinity.edu