Grounds Gardener - Western Illinois University

Western Kentucky University; Macomb (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Education benefits / Tuition Waiver

Paid time-off

Employee Assistance Program

YMCA discounts

Job summary

Western Illinois University is seeking a Facilities Maintenance worker on the Macomb campus to perform planting, transplanting, fertilizing, and watering of annual transplants, as well as general landscape upkeep across the campus. In addition to horticultural duties, you will help manage the campus greenhouse, assist with composting, and supervise student workers under state license requirements.

This full-time position requires a high school diploma and 2 years of grounds maintenance

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two years (24 months) of work experience in maintenance of gardens, lawns, shrubs or trees.

Responsibilities

• Planting and transplanting, fertilizing, spraying and watering of annual transplants.
• Maintenance of flowers, shrubs, and ornamental plants campus-wide.
• Assist with upkeep of campus greenhouse and composting; train student workers.
• Maintain drivers license and spray license through the state.
• Assist with snow and trash removal; assist tree surgeons as needed.
• Frequent bending, standing, kneeling and lifting up to 50 lbs; work in all weather.

Skills

Garden/Landscape maintenance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Category: Administrative, Professional & Staff Positions

Department: FACILITIES MANAGEMENT - LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

Locations: Macomb, IL

Posted: Sep 14, 2026

Closes: Sep 27, 2026 - 11:59 PM EDT

Type: FT - Continuous

PositionID: 204622

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Recognized as a "Best Midwestern College" by the Princeton Review. Western Illinois University, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, serves nearly 6,300 students at its traditional, residential campus in Macomb, IL and its metropolitan, non-residential branch campus in Moline, IL.

Job Description:

RESPONSIBILITIES: Perform work in planting and transplanting, fertilizing, spraying, watering of annual transplants, perform maintenance of flowers, shrubs and ornamental plants across the campus, assist with upkeep of campus greenhouse, perform composting, training student workers as well as maintaining drivers license and spray license through the state. Will also assist with snow and trash removal and assist the tree surgeons, as needed. Frequent bending, standing, kneeling and lifting up to 50 lbs and work in all weather conditions.

WORK LOCATION: Macomb Campus

APPOINTMENT: As soon as possible

HOURLY WAGE: $22.70

Western Illinois University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). These benefits include: Health Insurance plans, (HMO's, OAP's, QCHP, and CDHP), Dental Insurance, Vision Plan, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Supplemental Long-Term Disability (LTD), Flex Spending Accounts (HAS, MCAP, and DCAP), 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plans and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans.

Eligible employees are required to participate in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). SURS is the retirement administrator for employees in public higher education in the State of Illinois.

Other benefits available to eligible employees include: paid time-off, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Waiver programs, and discounts to the local YMCA.

For questions on benefits, or eligibility, contact our benefits team at [e-mail] or by calling 309-298-1971.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two (2) years (24 months) of work experience in the maintenance of gardens, lawns, shrubs, or trees.

Pre-graduation applicants are welcome to apply. In order to be considered for employment, the degree must be conferred at the time of application, unless applicant is in the final semester of a degree program; if so, the degree must be conferred at the time of appointment.For a degree to be considered, it must be conferred from a regionally accredited degree-granting institution of higher education (or equivalent from an international accrediting body).

Since 1899, Western Illinois University has provided outstanding educational opportunities to individuals in west central Illinois and well beyond our region and state. WIU's traditional residential campus in Macomb, Illinois, is the educational, cultural and athletic center of the region, while the WIU-Quad Cities non-residential branch campus in Moline, Illinois, is the only public university in the immediate Quad Cities region.

WIU-Macomb, IL: Western's traditional, residential main campus offers a comprehensive slate of undergraduate and graduate programs, including a doctorate in education, and post-baccalaureate certificates. A diverse community in west central Illinois, Macomb features a unique blend of agriculture, industry, service, retail, education, and culture. Macomb serves as the county seat, with connections across the state with Amtrak providing twice-daily service from Macomb to Chicago (and point in between). Macomb is located approximately 75 miles from the Quad Cities International Airport (Moline, IL) and 70 miles from the Greater Peoria Regional Airport (Peoria, IL).

WIU-Quad Cities: Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Moline, Illinois, the WIU-Quad Cities campus is the only public four-year regional university that serves the Quad Cities region. Designed as a metropolitan commuter campus, WIU-Quad Cities offers select undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Moline is located just 80 miles north of the Macomb campus and is centered within a diverse, bi-state community of 383,000 that offers a broad range of cultural, social, and entertainment amenities and experiences, as well as varied businesses and industries.

More than 61 undergraduate degree programs, 41graduate programs, two doctoral programs and 16post-baccalaureate certificate programs prepare students for a successful career after graduation.

Student Resources

More than 200 student organizations at Western provide social, academic, recreation, athletics, service, academic, and many other opportunities for students to grow and learn, develop leadership skills, and much more.

Numerous concerts, lectures, films, dance performances, cultural events and more are presented and performed each year, along with numerous major theatrical and dance productions and studio shows, and a variety of service-oriented projects and activities.

The University's athletics program, based on the Macomb campus, sponsors 17 NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's and women's varsity sports. All varsity sports compete at the Division I level through The Ohio Valley Conference.