Grounds and General Maintenance Worker (Main)

Wheaton College; Norton (MA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Wheaton College seeks a Grounds and General Maintenance Worker (Main) to perform campus landscaping, field care, and general maintenance across trades. The role includes seasonal landscaping, snow and ice management, and event support, with a strong emphasis on safety and team collaboration.

The position requires ability to operate light and heavy equipment, and to work overtime or during emergencies. Reporting to the Physical Plant department, this role supports campus operations day-to-day.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 1-3 years of grounds and general maintenance experience.
• Valid driver’s license with safe driving record.
• Knowledge of grounds maintenance, landscaping, and general facility operations.
• Basic understanding of carpentry and use of trade tools.
• Familiarity with plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems to support minor repairs.

Responsibilities

• Maintain campus landscaping, mowing, pruning, edging, mulching, and seasonal cleanups.
• Prepare and maintain athletic fields and groom artificial turf.
• Inspect and maintain exterior hardscapes, walkways, and outdoor features.
• Assist with snow and ice removal across roadways, parking lots, and walkways.
• Provide trades support for carpentry, painting, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and related tasks.
• Support waste removal, event setups, and logistics for major campus events.

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Hand and power tools

Commercial-grade electric power equipment

Job description

Posting Number

0601305

Position Title

Grounds and General Maintenance Worker (Main)

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Job Type

Full-Time

Staff Term

12 Months

Position Type

Staff

Department

Physical Plant

Job Summary/Basic Function

Provide broad in-house groundskeeping, athletic field maintenance, seasonal landscaping, campus-wide snow and ice management, event support, waste/recycling removal, and general facility maintenance across all trades to support campus operations.

Perform the following as directed:

Landscaping & Grounds: Perform all primary campus landscaping duties, including planting, cultivation, and care of trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers. Execute regular mowing, edging, weeding, mulching, fertilizing, pruning, aerating, slice seeding, dethatching, brush clearing, and seasonal spring/fall clean‑ups to maintain an attractive, safe campus environment.

Athletic Field Care: Prepare and line natural/turf fields for play, position field equipment, perform field maintenance, and groom artificial turf.

Hardscapes & Campus Grounds: Police all campus grounds, walkways, stairwells, window wells, and storm drains for trash, litter, leaves, and debris. Inspect, clean, repair, and maintain exterior hardscapes, outdoor furniture, benches, umbrellas, retaining walls, catch basins, stormwater components, and jogging paths. Assist in maintaining the overall health and visual appeal of the campus pond.

Snow and Ice Removal: Assist with comprehensive, campus-wide snow and ice removal across all roadways, parking lots, walkways, steps, entrances, and athletic fields. Safely operate winter equipment—including plow trucks, loaders, snow blowers and salt/sand spreaders—for pre‑treatment, plowing, salting, and ice mitigation during regular shifts and mandatory emergency overtime.

Trades Assistance: Support skilled trades (Carpentry, Painting, Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical, Locks) with general work order tasks, minor repairs, lamp changes, filter replacements, and furniture moves.

Waste & Events: Collect and properly dispose of campus solid waste and recycling. Support campus event setups, breakdowns, furniture moves, and logistics for major events such as Commencement and student move‑in/move‑out.

Minimum Qualifications

This position is categorized as essential to campus operations and serves as a critical responder for campus emergencies and weather‑related events. Expectation is that this individual will report to work during inclement weather and to ensure continuous operations of the campus.

• High School Diploma or GED
• 1-3 Years of Grounds and General Maintenance Experience
• Valid Driver’s Licens and safe driving record
• Working knowledge of grounds maintenance, landscaping, and general facility operations.
• Basic understanding of carpentry and the proper use of trade tools, including hand and power tools.
• Familiarity with plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems sufficient to support minor repairs or assist trade staff.
• Ability to safely operate light and heavy equipment, including mowers, trucks, tractors, and grounds machinery.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high aesthetic and safety standards.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Effective communication and problem‑solving skills.
• Physical ability to lift, bend, shovel, and perform outdoor work in varying weather conditions.
• Commitment to safety protocols and proper use of tools, machinery, and chemicals.
• Flexibility to work overtime, weekends, and during emergencies such as snow removal or storm response.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification or training in organic turf management.
• Experience operating commercial‑grade electric power equipment.
• Proficiency in Integrated Pest Management practices.
• Completion of a Sustainable Landscaping Certificate Program.
• Knowledge of native plant selection for New England.
• Experience with large‑scale facility composting programs.

Compensation and Benefits

To attract and retain the most talented individuals, Wheaton College maintains a flexible and competitive staff compensation and benefits program.

When determining and establishing hiring rates or recruitment ranges for a position, the College considers a number of factors including the budget for the position, the range of the grade, the external market for the position or similar positions, level and scope of responsibilities, required education, skills and relevant experience as well as internal equity. All salary offers must have the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.

The starting hourly rate for this position is $20/hr.

Physical Demands

Ability to perform heavy manual labor for extended periods. Ability to lift, move and operate bulky equipment or materials weighing fifty to eighty pounds.

ADA Statement

Individuals must possess these knowledges, skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

Eeo Statement

Wheaton College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich an intellectually diverse learning environment, the Department and the College actively encourages applications from women and members of underrepresented groups. Wheaton’s core belief is that valuing diversity is pivotal to personal development, intellectual expansion, and societal equity. Our community is united by a shared dedication to equity and access that is essential to providing a transformative education in the Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Posting Date

10/14/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Contact(s)

Office of Human Resources

Contact Phone/Extension

508-286-8206

Contact Email

[e-mail]

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents

1. List of References
2. Resume

Optional Documents

1. Cover Letter

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

PI287706897