Groundskeeper

Nature of Work

The Groundskeeper performs semi‑skilled work in the maintenance, care, and modification of university grounds and landscapes. Duties include operating electrically powered and gasoline‑powered equipment, using hand and power tools for planting, cultivating, and trimming, and performing maintenance and minor repairs on groundskeeping equipment as directed.

Essential Duties

• Seed, water, mulch, fertilize, and apply chemicals to outdoor plantings, lawns, turf, and indoor flowers and cuttings; inspect plant materials for insects, disease, or damage and identify replacements; transplant, prune, trim, and cultivate trees, shrubs, ground cover, and flowers; store and care for bulbs and cuttings during winter.
• Mow lawns with riding or push mowers; trim and edge around trees, shrubs, ground cover, flowers, sidewalks, and buildings; weed, thin, and clean flower beds by hand or with tools; set up, adjust, repair, and clean irrigation systems.
• Maintain daily logs of watering and chemical applications, recording areas, duration, chemicals used, amounts, reasons, wind speed, and direction.
• Install, remove, repair, and maintain landscape lighting, parking meters, signs, cables, chains, barricades, gates, bicycle racks, feeders, posts, fences, and rock walls; repair streets, parking lots, athletic fields, tennis courts, tracks, and omni‑turf as needed.
• Inspect grounds, drains, and manhole covers; rake, sweep, and bag leaves, debris, dirt, and trash from streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and tunnels; transport trash to central collection points daily.
• Empty, clean, and disinfect trash and cigarette receptacles regularly; remove, repair, and install receptacles on an as‑needed basis.
• Provide caution signs and operate leaf blowers to prevent slippery surfaces on wet walkways.
• Prepare outdoor locations for visitors, vendors, and the public, including painting and marking athletic fields, moving bleachers and seating, and erecting portable goals or other equipment.
• Apply horticultural, turf, and floricultural chemicals safely, wearing prescribed protective gear, following mixing directions, applying to designated areas, and disposing of or storing residual chemicals as directed.
• Operate light vehicles (pick‑up trucks, tractors, street sweepers, riding mowers) and portable power tools (saws, grass trimmers, snow/leaf blowers, sprayers, paint machines) in compliance with traffic laws and safety protocols, wearing appropriate protective equipment.
• Perform routine and preventative maintenance and cleaning of grounds and building maintenance equipment within reasonable capabilities.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned to contribute to campus success.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Read English sufficiently to understand work orders, instructions, and chemical handling directions.
• Operate and maintain grounds maintenance tools, equipment, and machinery.
• Identify and eradicate disease or insect damage to plant and turf materials (preferred).
• Represent Encompass positively; be pleasant, tactful, professional, respectful, courteous, and cooperative with supervisors, co‑workers, residents, students, vendors, managers, customers, and other departments.

Minimum Requirements

• Valid driver’s license with a clean record.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Public pesticide applicator’s license (preferred).
• At least two years of groundskeeping experience, or an associate degree in horticulture or a related field in lieu of experience.
• Knowledge of proper use and disposal of horticultural, turf, and floricultural chemicals (preferred).

Physical Demands

• Lift and carry supplies and equipment up to 50 lb frequently and up to 100 lb occasionally.
• Prolonged walking or standing; frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, and reaching.
• Full range of motion to operate manual, electric, or gasoline‑powered equipment.
• Access areas via stairs or ladders up to 20 ft high (e.g., tree trimming).
• Work primarily outdoors year‑round; must be able to move throughout assigned areas.
• Designated essential employee; must report to work during severe weather closures.

Supervision Received

The Groundskeeper/General Maintenance Worker is supervised by a designated supervisor, does not supervise others, but may supervise student/intern workers or temporary employees.

Schedule

Mon – Fri, 6:30 am – 3:00 pm