Grounds and General Maintenance Worker (Main)

Wheaton College in Massachusetts; Norton (MA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Wheaton College in Massachusetts seeks a Grounds and General Maintenance Worker (Main) to perform broad in-house groundskeeping, sports field upkeep, seasonal landscaping, snow/ice management, and general facility tasks across trades.

You will support campus operations by maintaining landscaping, preparing athletic fields, and assisting with events. Strong attention to safety, teamwork, and reliability is essential for this essential role on campus.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.

Responsibilities

• Landscaping & Grounds: planting, mowing, pruning, mulching, and seasonal clean-ups to maintain an attractive campus environment.
• Athletic Field Care: prepare fields for play and maintain turf and equipment.
• Hardscapes & campus grounds: clean and maintain sidewalks, benches, drains, and outdoor spaces.
• Snow and Ice Removal: assist with campus-wide snow and ice removal using winter equipment.
• Trades Assistance: support carpentry, painting, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and locks staff with minor tasks.
• Waste & Events: dispose of waste and assist with event setups and logistics.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Landscaping

Equipment operation

Safety protocols

Communication

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Overtime flexibility

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Hand and power tools

Mowers/tractors

Snow removal equipment

Electric power equipment

Job description

Grounds and General Maintenance Worker (Main)

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

The federal government and the state of Massachusetts have made the decision to end the COVID-19 public health emergency. Effective June 1, 2023, the college will no longer require COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for members of our community. Rather, we strongly recommend that everyone stay up to date on their vaccinations, including boosters, as recommended by their health care provider.
While we will no longer require COVID-19 vaccinations, we strongly encourage members of our campus community to adhere to public health recommendations for vaccination to protect against COVID-19, as well as influenza and other diseases.

Posting Number:

Posting Number: 0601305

Position Title:

Position Title: Grounds and General Maintenance Worker (Main)

FLSA:

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Job Type:

Job Type: Full-Time

Staff Term:

Staff Term: 12 Months

Staff Work Schedule (hours/dates):

Academic Year Schedule (dates):

Faculty Term:

Position Type:

Position Type: Staff

Department:

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.

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

Closing Date

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 (*).