Job Details

Position Title: Groundskeeper

Job Category: University Staff

Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile: Groundskeeper

Job Duties:

The Groundskeeper supports the Assistant Grounds Supervisor with the general upkeep of the university’s outdoor areas, contributing to their safety, usability, and appearance. This role involves maintaining safe, functional, and attractive outdoor areas on campus. The role helps with seasonal tasks such as mowing and mulching operations, snow removal, and occasionally collaborates with academic departments for outdoor project needs. Early morning, evening, or weekend work may be required during snow events.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

60% Care and maintenance of turf and woody and herbaceous plants

• Diagnose and correct turf issues on campus lawn areas and sports fields.
• Maintain irrigation systems on campus including repair, winterizing, spring startup, audits, diagnostics, and replacement.
• Fertilize, seed, aerate, water and spray pesticides on turf, trees and shrubs
• Trim woody and herbaceous plant material and remove and dispose of dead and infected plant material.
• Plant woody and herbaceous plant material as required.
• Operate various equipment efficiently and safely. Equipment includes, but is not limited to, mowers, front end loaders, dump trucks, utility tractors and attachments.

25% Snow removal of walks, parking lots, drives and parking lots.

• Plow, broom, blow and hand shovel snow as needed.
• Operate Holders, tractors, end loaders, sanders and spreaders and other equipment assigned.
• Salt and sand as needed.
• Ability to work 15 hours in a 24-hour period.

15% Perform Miscellaneous tasks as directed

• Follow all safety procedures and report any unsafe conditions to your supervisor.
• Utilize environmentally friendly practices.
• Perform minor repair and preventive maintenance on equipment.
• Report all equipment problems to your Supervisor and the Mechanic.
• Accurately record all your work time in TMA and HRS. Accurately record all fuel and supply usage on proper forms.
• Maintain ability to operate computers and required software.
• Respond to emergencies, when available, outside of normal work hours.
• Assist other units of Facilities Management as directed by your supervisor.
• Other duties assigned by your supervisor.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Maintains clean and clear lawns, walkways, roadways, and parking lots to ensure they are free of debris, litter, snow, and ice
• Constructs lawn and landscaping projects including soil grading, seeding, and sodding
• Identifies and acts to remedy plant diseases and insect damage
• Implements and monitors chemical and fertilizer programs
• Installs, propagates, and maintains the health of new and existing plants and landscape using a variety of vehicles and equipment

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• 1 year grounds experience.
• Good work habits, such as attendance, punctuality, and accountability.
• Work independently and as part of a team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or four-year degree, in turf management from an accredited university.
• 2 years working on a university grounds crew using horticultural best practices.
• Experience in commercial snow removal.
• Experience operating various turf maintenance equipment.

Special Requirements

• Valid Driver’s license.
• Working knowledge of desktop applications such as Outlook.