"Landscape Worker Senior"

Position Overview

The Landscape Worker Senior position is responsible for the operating and maintaining of the University's physical plant and grounds. Work involves planting, cultivating, transplanting and caring for ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers and all other aspects of general landscape and grounds care on campus. Work requires working independently and/or as a lead worker as well as operating work issued vehicles, forklifts, pallet jacks, mowers, string trimmers and other mechanized equipment.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 6:30 AM to 3 PM

Facilities Services within KU Operations plays a vital role in maintaining an inviting and safe campus environment that supports teaching, learning and research. KU Operations supports KU's mission of learning, scholarship, and creative endeavor by providing the visible and behind-the-scenes services that make possible the university's academic and research missions.

KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical & dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options, and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities.

Tuition assistance offers up to 12 credit hours per year for employees and Employee Dependent Tuition Assistance Scholarship (EDTAS) award opportunities! Details available at: https://humanresources.ku.edu/tuition-assistance

KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other's success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard, and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.

Job Description

60% Horticultural maintenance: Prunes and trims plantings to acquire desired effect, to remove diseased or dead parts, to contain size of plantings, etc. Acts as lead worker with crews in planting, maintaining and treating lawns, flower beds and other horticultural plantings. Uses chemical treatments on plantings for pest and disease control as instructed. Inspects areas to determine the need for work to be done and directs efforts accordingly.

30% Equipment Operation: Operates small to medium sized equipment such as mowers, string trimmers, snow blowers, tractors, trucks, and other equipment used in landscape operations and snow removal.

5%: Coordinates work with Landscape Technicians and other crew members and keeps supervisor informed about work in progress. Performs equipment maintenance on sprayer units, irrigation systems and other horticultural equipment.

5%: Performs other work as assigned.

Position Requirements

1. Reach, grasp, lift, carry, and place moderately heavy loads frequently, and heavy loads occasionally (50 lbs) with or without reasonable accommodation.
2. Work in temperature extremes, both hot and cold - typically outdoors.
3. Work overtime and respond to after-hours emergencies as necessary.
4. Report to work during declared periods of inclement weather.
5. Must enter work order information digitally.

Required Qualifications

1. High School diploma or completion of G.E.D. equivalency.
2. One (1) year of experience in landscape and/or horticultural work.
3. Must have Kansas Pesticide license and certification or able to obtain within 6 months of hire date.
4. Must have a valid driver's license by the time of hire and throughout the term of employment.
5. Previous experience that required the use of computer or handheld devices to communicate & perform work activities as evidenced by application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Knowledge of the methods, practices, techniques and tools used in the planting and care of common Midwestern turf care, trees, shrubs, grasses and other ornamental plants as evidenced by application materials.
2. Knowledge of the hazards and safety precautions of working with power tools and equipment in the landscape and grounds care trade as evidenced by application materials.
3. Knowledge of the methods, practices, techniques and tools needed to correctly identify, control and prevent plant diseases and insects as evidenced by application materials.
4. Experience working in a college, university or multi-building campus setting.

Contact Information to Applicants

Joe Fearn
Joe.Fearn@ku.edu

Additional Candidate Instruction

A complete application includes the following;

1. Resume
2. Cover letter addressing how the required and preferred qualifications are met.
3. List of 3 professional references

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application review begins Friday, December 5th and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.

Advertised Salary Range

Starting at $40,000

Application Review Begins

05-Dec-2025

Anticipated Start Date

02-Feb-2026

Primary Campus

University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

FTE

1.0

Reg/Temp

Regular

FLSA Status

Nonexempt

Employee Class

B-University Support Staff

Work Location Assignment

On-Site