Facility Operations Assistant 1 (Grounds)

SUNY Cortland; City of Cortland (NY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

SUNY Cortland seeks a Facility Operations Assistant 1 (Grounds) to perform essential manual labor maintaining campus grounds and exterior structures. Responsibilities include routine landscaping, snow removal, property cleanup, and safe operation of basic power equipment, with a full‑time schedule and variable shifts by season.

The role serves as essential personnel, ensuring campus accessibility and safety in all weather conditions, under the Head Grounds Supervisor, with starting salary as

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid New York State Driver’s License appropriate for the type of vehicle operated.

Responsibilities

• Cut grass, trim shrubs, and fertilize lawns regularly.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety of grounds by sweeping, raking, and shoveling daily debris.
• Cut down or remove dead trees and load them onto trucks for disposal.
• Prepare, groom, and maintain athletic fields for safe play surfaces and regulatory compliance.
• Routinely maintain roads, parking lots, walkways, and exterior steps; patch damaged concrete and asphalt.

Job description

Position Details

Position Information

Budget Title Facility Operations Assistant 1 (Grounds)

Campus Title Facility Operations Assistant 1 (Grounds)

School/Division Finance and Management, Division of

Department Grounds

Staff Sub-Type Staff & Administration

Salary Level SG006

Salary Range $37,862

Salary Determination Starting salary rates are based on negotiated labor contracts.

Position Effort Full-Time

If Part-Time, enter FTE:

Is this a temporary position? Yes

Temporary End Date 04/07/2027

Position Summary

The Facility Operations Assistant 1 (Grounds) performs essential, hands‑on manual labor to maintain the safety, cleanliness, and visual appeal of facility grounds and exterior structures. This role focuses on routine landscaping, seasonal snow removal, property cleanup, and the safe operation of basic power equipment. This position serves as essential personnel, ensuring the campus remains operational and accessible to the public during all weather conditions and emergencies.

Salary: $37,862

A full‑time grounds worker position working Tuesday through Saturday, with Sunday and Monday pass days, 6:00 AM-2:30 PM. During winter and summer months this position returns to Monday through Friday with Saturday and Sunday pass‑days. In the winter, the position may work 4:00 AM to 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM to 10:30 PM, or 6 AM to 2:30 PM depending on operational need and seniority within the department.

What makes SUNY Cortland a great place to work?

• Our positions provide predictable salary progressions, and many offer permanency.
• Generous benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, various retirement program options, paid family leave and/or parental leaves, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, long term disability and tuition reimbursement.
• SUNY Cortland prioritizes work‑life balance and well‑being in all forms. The university’s state‑of‑the‑art Student Life Center is free for employees to use, with membership options for families. Alternate work schedules are available with a supervisor’s approval.
• Professional development opportunities exist through training, continuing education programs, tuition reimbursement and conference travel, based on funding.
• Cortland County and surrounding areas offer easy access to arts, entertainment, outdoor recreation and much more. Experience Cortland dives deep into the region’s offerings.

Major Responsibilities

• Cut grass, trim shrubs, and fertilize lawns regularly. Plant seeds, shrubs, and trees to develop and preserve campus greenery.
• Maintain the cleanliness, safety, and visual condition of the grounds by sweeping, raking, and shoveling daily debris.
• Cut down or remove dead trees and safely load them onto trucks for disposal.
• Prepare, groom, and maintain athletic fields to ensure safe play surfaces and compliance with specified regulations.
• Routinely maintain roads, parking lots, walkways, and exterior steps. Break up damaged concrete and asphalt to apply patches, preventing tripping hazards and structural degradation.
• Assist heavily with critical snow and ice removal during winter months. Hand shoveling represents a significant portion of snow removal duties to keep steps, entryways, and narrow walkways clear and safe.

Safety and Hazard Removal

• For all assigned tasks, pick up and remove any hazardous items from floors and furniture, and place them in designated receptacles or appropriate locations.
• Notify supervisor of any safety hazard that cannot be mitigated on site.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships

• This position reports to the Head Grounds Supervisor

Required Qualifications

• There are no education or experience requirements for this position. This position is a labor class position and as such is not subject to selection on the basis of seniority. Selection of the candidates shall be at the campus’ discretion from among those who apply.
• Applicants must possess a valid New York State Driver’s License appropriate for the type of vehicle operated.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous grounds and/or labor-type work experience preferred.
• Physical strength and agility are required to lift/carry/work on ladders, power hand tools, and maintenance equipment. Must be able to work on scaffolding and knees. Working conditions may include working at heights and in confined spaces.

About the University

A top public university of approximately 6,600 students located in the geographic center of New York State, SUNY Cortland provides accessible, affordable education to students from across the U.S. body. One of 13 comprehensive universities in the State University of New York system, SUNY Cortland prides itself on its rigorous undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts, sciences, education, and professional studies. For more than 150 years, SUNYCortland has provided unmistakable value for students seeking a well-rounded academic, athletic, and social experience. The University ranks among the top campuses in the nation on Moneymagazine’s “Best Colleges for Your Money List,” fields a powerhouse Division III athletics program and boasts an impressive network of alumni making a difference in education, business, government, fitness, medicine and many other fields.

EEO Statement

SUNY is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants, including individuals with disabilities. Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application, interview, or hiring process may request an accommodation by contacting our HR ADA Coordinator in Miller Room 302, 607-753-2302, [e-mail]. Requests for accommodation will be considered consistent with applicable law. This process is separate from, and does not require, any voluntary self-identification of disability status.

Job Close Date

10/10/2026