Grounds Keeper

South Dakota Board of Regents; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Black Hills State University is seeking a full-time Grounds Keeper to maintain the campus grounds in Rapid City. The role supports a safe, sustainable, and inviting environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Responsibilities include maintaining lawns and gardens, irrigation, and seasonal snow removal. Occasional travel to Spearfish may be required; background check is required; pesticide license within 12 months is anticipated.

Qualifications

• Experience in landscaping or groundskeeping.
• Ability to obtain a pesticide applicator license within 12 months.
• Occasional travel to Spearfish campus as needed.

Responsibilities

• Maintain lawns, nurseries, trees, flowers, shrubs, and irrigation systems.
• Care for streets, sidewalks, and related equipment.
• Load, unload, and move furniture, equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Remove snow during winter months.

Skills

Gardening

Grounds maintenance

Snow removal

Heavy lifting

Outdoor work

Equipment operation

Job description

Black Hills State University is hiring a full-time Grounds Keeper to maintain the beauty and functionality of our Rapid City campus. This position plays a vital role in supporting a safe, sustainable, and inviting environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

DUTIES

• Maintain lawns, nurseries, trees, flowers, shrubs, and irrigation systems.
• Care for streets, sidewalks, and related equipment.
• Remove snow during winter months.
• Load, unload, and move furniture, equipment, materials, and supplies.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong knowledge of gardening and grounds maintenance practices.
• Ability to recognize and address plant diseases and insect damage.
• Capability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Proficiency in following oral and written instructions.
• Physical ability to perform heavy lifting and manual labor.
• Experience operating motorized vehicles, tools, and equipment.
• Professional interaction with co-workers and patrons.
• Reliable and consistent attendance.

REQUIREMENTS

• Previous and demonstrated landscaping or groundskeeping experience.
• Occasional travel to the Spearfish campus.
• Ability to obtain a pesticide applicator license within the first 12-months of employment.

Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by contacting Cassie Maser at 605‑642‑6545 or [e-mail]. Employment is dependent upon a satisfactory background check.

Advertised Salary $16.68/hr

Work Hours: 7:00am to 3:30pm Monday – Friday are normal work hours, these will be extended during snow events in the winter to cover up to any hour of the day including weekends.

Department Description and Cultural Expectations

Black Hills State University is a masters-level state university with more than 3,600 students. The campus leads the region in sustainability efforts and maintains top academic programs in business (AACSB Accredited), exercise science, natural sciences, social sciences, the arts, mass communication, health sciences and education. The University, founded in 1883, is located in the northern Black Hills, a region abundant with outdoor activity and culture. Spearfish, S.D., is recognized as one of the top 10 most livable small towns in the USA and has also been recognized nationally for outdoor recreational opportunities. A second location, BHSU -RC, is in Rapid City, the state’s second-largest city. BHSU, a member of NCAA Division II athletics, offers 14 sports, and has a legacy of champion rodeo teams.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Black Hills State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Black Hills State University and the Board of Regents ensure that all employment practices are free of discrimination.

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements: Please check the appropriate response that describe the cognitive requirements for this position.

Protective Clothing/Equipment: Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of the following protective clothing or equipment. Ear Protection (including earplugs), Eye Protection, Latex Gloves, Other, Protective Clothing. If other protection is used please identify Knee pads, closed toe shoes/boots.

Physical Requirements: Please designate the physical requirements of this position Balancing, Bending, Stooping, Twisting, Carrying, Climbing Ladders, Climbing Stairs, Crawling, Crouching, Driving, Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Grasping, Kneeling, Lifting Above Waist, Lifting Below Waist, Lifting light, Lifting moderate, Lifting heavy, Pushing/Pulling, Reaching, Repetitive Motion, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Squatting, Standing for sustained periods of time, Stretching, Use Both Hands, Use of Either Hand, Independently, Walking, Wrist Movement (twisting or rotating).

Describe any of the conditions selected.

Sensory Requirements: Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position. Depth Perception, Distant Vision, Hearing, Near Vision, Peripheral Vision, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses).

Working Conditions & Exposures: Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day. Changes of Temperature, Chemical Hazards, Electrical Current, Exposure to Dust, Exposure to Noise, Extreme Cold, Extreme Heat >100F, Extreme Weather Conditions (wind, rain, snow, humidity), Vaccination recommended due to potential occupational exposure, Walking/Standing on rough or uneven surfaces (gravel, rocks, etc), Walking/Standing on wood, metal or concrete, Work in confined/congested spaces (tunnels), Work in narrow aisles/passageways, Work Overhead, Working Around Machinery, Working from scaffolding and high places.

Please describe, in more detail, any of the conditions checked above. Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the environment in which the primary function of the position is performed. Classroom Environment, Mechanical Facility, Office Environment, Outdoors Environment. If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary, please use the space provided.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Where did you hear about this position?
  • SDBOR Employment Site
  • BHSU Website
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
  • SD Department of Labor
  • Rapid City Journal
  • Black Hills Pioneer
  • Referral
  • Other

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Reference List

Optional Documents

• Other

The South Dakota Board of Regents is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Board of Regents will take Affimative Action to ensure that all employment practices are free of discrimination. In addition, the Board of Regents fully supports incorporation of non-discrimination and Affimative Action rules and regulations into all of its employment practices. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by contacting the appropriate Human Resources office. Please see the Contact Us section of this webpage for more information.

Notice to all applicants: If you are selected as a finalist, job references and a background check may be conducted.

South Dakota Board of Regents
306 E. Capital Ave, Suite 200
Pierre, SD 57501
605-773-3455