Job Details
Working Title: Grounds Technician 00281
Role Title: Trades Technician III
Position Number: 00281
FLSA: Non Exempt
Appointment Type: Full Time
Type of Posting: General Public
Is Sensitive Position?: No
Designated Personnel: Yes
Responsible Employee: This position is designated as a “responsible employee” who has the authority to redress sexual violence, who has the duty to report incidents of sexual violence or other student misconduct, or who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or duty.
If Designated Personnel, please paste statement: This position is a “designated position” meaning this position could potentially be required to work (depending on the event) during an emergency closing.
Statement of Economic Interest: No
Is this a restricted position subject to availability of funding?: Yes
If Restricted Position, please paste statement: This is a restricted position subject to availability of funding.
Departmental Objective
Effectively implement the University president’s vision for a world class campus that attracts, inspires, and bonds people to CNU. We will continuously monitor and maintain existing and future turf areas on campus to provide high quality full-service turf maintenance on all designated areas. We will ensure that these primary duties will emphasize and enhance aesthetic appearance, value promote environmental responsibility, and be economically feasible.
Purpose of the Position
As a Grounds Technician for the Grounds Department your primary responsibility will be to work independently repairing, adjusting, and installing irrigation systems to ensure correct operation on the campus landscape and grounds. You will also participate in and lead special projects as directed to facilitate department needs in all areas of landscape and grounds maintenance. As needed, you will perform applications related to fertilizers and pesticides to trees, shrubs, and ornamental beds throughout the university.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Related to Position
- Extensive knowledge in grounds and landscape maintenance.
- Extensive knowledge of turf and horticulture requirements related to irrigation, mowing, pruning, watering, planting, fertilizing, and diseases.
- Extensive knowledge with grounds maintenance tools and equipment.
- Extensive knowledge with application of various environmentally safe herbicides and pesticides for controlling weeds, disease, and insects.
- Ability to read and understand pesticide and fertilizer labels.
Education, Experience, Licensure, Certification Required
Education:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license
- VDACS Registered Technician or ability to become VDACS Registered Technician within 6 months of hire
Experience:
- Experience in irrigation repair/maintenance and installation
- Experience in grounds maintenance services, to include: aerifying, mowing, trimming, seeding, watering, fertilizing, planting, mulching, pruning, and pest/disease control of turfgrass & horticultural areas and plant material
- Experience with safe use of herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides in landscape maintenance
- Experience in proficient operation of small and large grounds maintenance equipment
- Experience at a landscape company in grounds/landscape maintenance
Additional Consideration(s):
Education:
- A VDACS Certified Applicator in the 3A or 3B category
- Certified Fertilizer Applicator
- A college degree in a related field
Experience:
- Experience as a Senior or Lead Groundskeeper/ Foreman
- Experience as a Technician at a university or resort
Salary Information
Salary starting at $34,277 to $42,268, Commensurate with Education and Experience
CNU Information
This position includes Commonwealth of Virginia and Christopher Newport University employee benefits. CNU offers a comprehensive benefits package to include retirement plans, medical, dental, vision, and a variety of other options. Available leave includes vacation, sick time, personal time, and volunteer/service leave. State employees are eligible for discounted travel, banking, legal and retail services, among others. To view more information about our benefits, please visit https://cnu.edu/hr/benefits/.
Role Code: 79033
Conditions of Employment
- This is a classified position. New and returning classified employees are required to complete a 12-month probationary period.
- Selected candidate must attend a 2-day New Employee Orientation Program.
Is this position telework eligible?: No
Physical Demands
Light Lifting (less than 20 lbs.): Essential
Moderate Lifting (20-50 lbs.): Essential
Heavy Lifting (more than 50 lbs.): Essential
Pushing/Pulling: Essential
Standing: Essential
Sitting: Essential
Bending: Essential
Walking: Essential
Climbing: Essential
Reaching: Essential
Repetitive Motion: Essential
Fast Pace: Essential
Average Pace: Essential
Multiple Priorities: Marginal
Intense Customer Interaction: Marginal
Multiple Stimuli: Marginal
Frequency Changes: Essential
Memory: Marginal
Reasoning: Marginal
Hearing: Marginal
Reading: Essential
Analyzing: Marginal
Logic: Marginal
Verbal Communication: Essential
Written Communication: Essential
Posting Number: PS1239P
Number of Vacancies: 1
Posting Date: 07/01/2026
Closing Date: 08/16/2026
Open Until Filled: No
Special Instructions to Applicants
CNU will only accept online applications through the jobs.cnu.edu website. Online applications must be received by midnight on the closing date indicated in a job announcement. Faxed, emailed, hand-delivered or mailed applications and attachments will NOT be accepted. Applicants are welcome to complete an online application by using computers located in the Office of Human Resources. Address: CNU North – 321 Hiden Boulevard, Suite 101, Newport News, VA 23606. Public computers are also available in nearby libraries and at the Virginia Employment Commission. Address: 600 Butler Farm Road, Hampton, VA 23666 (M-F 9am-4:30pm).
In order to be considered for this position, your application must provide evidence of experience and/or education supporting the requirements outlined in the posting. We encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. Responses to supplemental questions alone are not considered evidence of experience and/or education.
Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting
https://jobs.cnu.edu/postings/20958
EEO/Diversity Statement(s)
Christopher Newport University, an EO Employer, is fully Committed to Access and Opportunity.
Notice of Non-Discrimination & Title IX Policy Statement
Reasonable Accommodation Request
Christopher Newport University (CNU) will make a reasonable effort to accommodate persons with disabilities in the application and/or interview process. Persons with disabilities who require accommodation should contact the CNU Human Resources Office by calling (757) 594-7145.
Alternative Hiring Process
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth’s Alternative Hiring Process.
To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to upload an approved AHP Letter received from the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) or from the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI) to their applications.
Note: Certificates of Disability provided by DARS or DBVI dated April 1, 2022, through February 29, 2024, will still be accepted as applicable for the AHP. The name change to AHP Letter became effective March 1, 2024.
Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS to get their AHP Letter.
Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Background Check
Applicant finalists are required to complete a CNU sponsored background check. After accepting employment, individuals are required to complete a USCIS Form I-9 (employment eligibility verification) and present documentation from the USCIS List of Acceptable Documents that establishes both their identity and employment authorization to work in the United States. The provided documents will be verified through the Department of Homeland Security E-Verify website.
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