Athletics Grounds Worker

Responsibilities

• Maintaining athletic fields.
• Performing field care using lawn mowers, trimmers, edgers, and hand tools.
• Being on duty for all designated sporting events/games.
• Assisting crew members with event preparation and operations, including setup and breakdown.
• Performing natural and artificial turf care and maintenance.
• Edging with a small push-type edger, trimming turf away from sidewalks and curb edges.
• Shearing shrubs using gas-powered hedge clippers.
• Performing hand weeding in flower beds.
• Cutting back brush, small saplings, and small branches using hand-held loppers.
• Using a chain saw for removal of large branches and small trees.
• Pruning, hedging, shrubs and trees; cutting flowers and mowing lawns; ensuring application of fertilizer, pesticides, plant treatments, and other methods to maintain healthy lawns/fields.
• Assisting supervisor in applying fertilizer, aeration, and topdressing of turf.
• Using leaf blowers, turfvacs, power sweepers, and other tools or hands to remove trash and debris from grounds.
• Operating power equipment such as ride-on mowers, chippers, power sprayers, aerial-lift trucks, flail mowers, aerators, edgers, hedge trimmers, chain saws, and tractor/loaders as necessary.
• Complying with all DOT and FMSCA Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace Safety Sensitive job function regulations and corresponding University policies and procedures.
• Performing minor equipment repair and maintenance as required; sharpening blades, chain saw chains, and checking/maintaining proper lubrication and oil levels.
• Supporting campus-wide activities in setups, snow and ice removal, and any other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent GED preferred, with 2‑3 years experience in grounds maintenance or a combination of education and experience providing a similar skillset.
• Willingness to receive additional training as required.
• Commitment to following safety guidelines to protect self and others.
• Ability to follow verbal and written directions and provide responses in writing.
• Ability to use computers to read and respond to emails and to use basic applications.
• Must have and maintain a valid Virginia operator's license.

Skills

• Operation of lawn mowers, trimmers, edgers, hand tools, chain saws, hedge clippers, loppers, and other grounds‑maintenance equipment.
• Natural and artificial turf care, including mowing, edging, pruning, fertilizing, pesticide application, aeration, and topdressing.
• Equipment maintenance and minor repair (blade sharpening, lubrication, oil checks).
• Adherence to DOT/FMSCA alcohol‑and‑drug‑free workplace safety regulations.
• Basic computer literacy for email and standard applications.
• Valid Virginia operator's license.

Benefits

Washington and Lee University offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well‑being of employees and their families. For more information, visit jobs.wlu.edu.

Pay

The expected pay rate for this position is between $22.54 – $26.15 per hour.

Schedule

Work Schedule: 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., 40 hours per week; evening and weekend work may be required.