Grounds Equipment Mechanic – East Campus

About the Role

Facilities Management (FM) at CU Boulder encourages applications for a Grounds Equipment Mechanic! Outdoor Services provides high quality, professional grounds and landscape services to enhance a safe, aesthetically pleasing and environmentally conscious campus. FM provides a physical environment that promotes the advancement and transfer of knowledge. This position performs, leads, and assigns emergency and routine repair and maintenance tasks on light to heavy-duty grounds machinery and equipment associated with the Outdoor Services Team. Additional responsibilities include parts inventory management, PM scheduling, and collecting information and reporting on equipment repair expenses.

Who We Are

Facilities Management provides outdoor services to general fund areas and several auxiliary funded facilities. FM Outdoor Services is responsible for grounds maintenance and irrigation system operation and maintenance for the general fund areas on campus.

Key Responsibilities

Specialized and Heavy-Duty Equipment Repair and Maintenance

• Diagnose problems, make repairs and perform preventative maintenance on specialized grounds equipment including multi-deck contour mowers, mid-sized and compact tractors and implements, skid steer loaders and attachments, backhoes, wood chippers and various utility vehicles.
• Inspect, diagnose, repair, rebuild and replace a wide variety of equipment systems such as engine, transmission, steering, driveline, braking, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic.
• Repairs may require fabrication of parts and/or welding parts and structural members.
• Keep accurate records of labor and parts expended on repairs.
• Report missing equipment and accidents resulting in physical damage to University vehicle(s) or property to appropriate departments.

Battery/Electric/Alternate Fuel Powered Equipment Maintenance and Repair

• Troubleshoot, repair and maintain small and handheld grounds equipment including push mowers, string trimmers, blowers, edgers, chainsaws, golf carts etc.
• This includes repairing small motors, batteries, electrical circuits, wiring, solenoids, pumps, switches, bearings AC and DC systems.
• Perform all preventative maintenance on this equipment, which is powered by a variety of diesel, gas, and rechargeable electric batteries.

Crew Member Responsibilities

• Conduct training for staff (full-time, temporary, and student employees).
• Demonstrate an "eye for detail" when making and assessing actions as the work leader for the Assistant Mechanic by coordinating and assigning work assignments.
• Coordinate and schedule repairs with supervisors of crews and crew leads.
• Work and coordinate with outside vendors and equipment owners to schedule estimates and repairs.
• Make recommendations to supervisor for enhanced training and continuing education based on equipment inventory, skills, and knowledge.
• Provide timely updates on equipment repairs, associates costs, and delays.
• Track parts and labor with repairs and inform supervisor of activities or problems having an impact on operations.
• Coordinate with Supervisors and other employees to ensure smooth daily operations, partnership, and consistency of work efforts.
• Ensure timecards and charges are accurate and submitted.

Snow and Ice Removal and Equipment Repair

• Support snow removal and ice abatement operations by making emergency repairs to plows, salt spreaders and other essential equipment.
• Conduct and participate in annual snow removal equipment readiness inspection, compile list of necessary repairs, prioritize and complete repairs identified.
• Repairs may include welding and fabricating parts to keep vehicle snow plowing systems operational, including plows, blades, mounting hardware, hydraulic and electrical systems.
• May assist with ice abatement and snow removal operations.

Inventory Tracking, Record Keeping, Shop, Equipment and Tool Maintenance

• Input and track numerous, complex and changing data fields in computer maintenance system by each machine including data like serial number, location of equipment, and repair and replacement history, including capital and non-capital equipment.
• Track inventory of repair parts and shop supplies.
• Responsible for the proper use, maintenance and care of assigned equipment (vehicles, grounds utility vehicles, equipment lifts, power washers, specialty equipment, hand tools, etc.).
• Maintain neat and orderly shop with tools and supplies in their proper location.
• Maintain access to safety equipment.

Safety

• Adhere to safety guidelines and policies.
• Responsible for the safe operation and repair of vehicles, equipment and tools; provide instruction on safe operating procedures to Staff, Work Leaders and Supervisor and uses personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.
• Ensures all staff under roles direction perform duties using appropriate safe work practices.
• Provide and train staff working under roles direction with appropriate safety equipment and PPE, and proper use of PPE.
• Be aware of surroundings, ensuring work area is clear and free of personnel, tools, trip hazards, flammables, etc. prior to commencing work.
• Understand aspects of tools and materials worked with, including welders, torches, gasses, compressors, tools, and other tools and equipment.
• There is a high risk of injuries in equipment repair and this position must do everything possible to minimize risk.
• Be familiar with the Safety Manual, providing recommendations to the Safety Committee.

What You Should Know

This role is eligible for our Facilities Management Employee Referral Program. This in-person position works 5 eight-hour days per week, Monday - Friday, between the hours of 6:00 am and 5:00 pm, based on staffing requirements of the Department.

Pay

The annual salary rate for this position is $74,000. If you have prior state-classified experience in the same class series as this position, your pay may be set at a higher amount per the state Step Pay Program implemented on July 1, 2024.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

What We Require

• Must be a resident of Colorado to apply.
• Must have a valid Colorado driver's license.
• 4 years of relevant experience with current proficiency at the journey level OR a combination of related education, formalized apprenticeship program, and/or relevant experience equal to 4 years.

What You Will Need

• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills.
• Digital literacy (timecard entry, inventory tracking, emails).
• Reliability.
• Ability to work within a team environment and collaborate with other team members.
• Mechanically inclined.

What We Would Like You To Have

• 2 years of institutional, golf course, or commercial landscape equipment maintenance and repair.
• Battery/Electric equipment repair experience highly desired.

Special Instructions To Apply

Please submit the following materials:

• A current resume that includes date ranges for each position held and whether the position was full-time or part-time.
• Optional: A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.
• DD-214 for veteran applicants. Qualified veterans and surviving spouses are eligible for veteran's preference points within the State classified system. If you are an honorably discharged veteran, the spouse of a veteran unable to work due to a service-connected disability, or the surviving spouse of a veteran, you may claim preference during the selection process for a position within the state personnel system. In order for us to determine your eligibility for veterans preference, you must attach a copy of a DD-214 form along with your application. If you have additional supporting documentation to provide, or do not wish to upload a DD214, please email a copy to recruiting@colorado.edu and reference the job to which you are applying.
• If using the educational substitution for experience: proof of degree or transcripts.

We may request references at a later time. Please apply by August 16, 2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs. Select here for additional information regarding Classified Staff positions: www.cu.edu/cu-careers/special-instructions-classified-staff-applicants

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Essential Services

This position is designated "essential services." The incumbent is required to respond to requests for work during campus emergencies (snow, wind, rain, flood and any other natural or man-made event) and report to work for his / her regularly assigned shift during emergency campus closures.