Grounds Technician

Job Summary

The Grounds Technician performs maintenance and care of outdoor landscapes to ensure a clean, safe, and well-maintained environment for students, staff, and visitors. This position supports routine and seasonal groundskeeping tasks, including landscaping, irrigation, and general site upkeep. Employees in this role are expected to demonstrate reliability, attention to detail, and a commitment to safety and quality. Work may be performed independently or as part of a team under general supervision.

Primary Responsibilities

Operations (90%)

• Maintain lawns, trees, shrubs, and planting areas through mowing, trimming, pruning, and fertilizing.
• Assist with planting, weeding, mulching, and seasonal landscape projects.
• Remove debris, litter, and green waste to maintain clean outdoor spaces.
• Assist with pest management in landscaped areas in accordance with safety guidelines.
• Assist with the management of stray and free-roaming animals (e.g., chickens, cats, dogs).
• Operate and maintain groundskeeping equipment such as mowers, trimmers, blowers, and small machinery.
• Support event setup and breakdown in outdoor spaces.
• Perform minor repairs to outdoor fixtures, pathways, and structures.
• Perform pressure washing of sidewalks and other outdoor surfaces.
• Monitor grounds for safety hazards and report issues as needed.
• Operate and maintain tools and equipment such as rakes, shovels, hoes, pruning shears, trimmers, edgers, chainsaws, push and riding mowers, aerators, pressure washers, etc.
• Operate university-owned vehicles and utility carts.

Student Supervision (5%)

• Oversee and manage daily tasks of student employees to ensure productivity and accountability.
• Assign projects and monitor progress to ensure accuracy and timely completion.
• Mentor, coach and provide constructive feedback to support technical and professional development.
• Design and conduct training programs to build technical and professional skills.
• Promote lifelong work habits such as integrity, dependability, effective communication, and professionalism.

General Duties (5%)

• Attend regular staff meetings and required training.
• Read and interpret chemical labels and safety information and instruct others on proper use and hazards.
• Maintain accurate records in the work order system with detailed comments of the work performed, materials used, and time spent.
• Maintain ongoing communication with the supervisor by providing regular updates on assigned tasks, progress, and any maintenance or safety concerns.
• Collaborate and communicate clearly with fellow employees, supervisors, maintenance technicians, contractors, and campus personnel to ensure efficient facility operations and support.
• Follow all safety procedures and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• May be asked to attend training conferences that require travel.
• Perform other duties as assigned.