Grounds / Maintenance Custodian

Independent School District 196; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability insurance

Sick leave

State pension plan

Tax-deferred retirement savings

Flexible spending account

Vacation

Holidays

Personal leave

Job summary

District 196 is seeking a dedicated Grounds/Custodial employee to support outside grounds maintenance, equipment upkeep and building systems. The role requires hands-on work, reliability, and the ability to operate and repair grounds machinery for fields and facilities.

Responsibilities include daily ground maintenance, equipment inspections, and assisting with building systems repairs. The position emphasizes teamwork, punctuality, and a commitment to a safe, welcoming school environment.

Qualifications

• Good working knowledge of horticulture and lawn care procedures.
• Ability to operate and repair grounds equipment.
• Knowledge of outdoor sports field layout and striping.
• Maintenance experience, including preventative maintenance and the ability to work independently.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical and electrical systems.
• Previous custodian experience.
• Good attendance record and punctual.
• Desire to work cooperatively in a team environment.
• Positive work performance evaluations with no recent disciplinary actions.
• Must conduct a positive interview and receive good references.
• Physically qualified to lift up to 50 lbs and flexible in assignments.
• Experience with diverse school communities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist the building engineer with appearance and operation of outside grounds; seed, fertilize, aerate, mow, water lawn, layout and stripe fields; remove snow as necessary.
• Perform daily inspections, service and repair grounds equipment.
• Repair and maintain building systems.
• Divide grounds work and time equally as needed or as assigned.
• Clean building areas and move and assemble furniture, etc.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Horticulture knowledge

Lawn care procedures

Grounds equipment operation

Teamwork

Attendance & punctuality

Positive evaluations

Interview & references

Physical ability (lifting 50 lbs)

Diversity awareness

Tools

Grounds equipment

Mechanical & electrical systems

Job description

Application Procedures

Internal Candidates and External Candidates: Apply on-line at www.district196.org

Description

8 hours/day

Monday- Friday 6:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Effective Date Of Employment

ASAP

Application Deadline

August 24, 2026 4:00 p.m.

Application Procedures

Internal Candidates and External Candidates: Apply on-line at www.district196.org

Qualifications

• Must have a good working knowledge of horticulture and lawn care procedures.
• Ability to operate and repair grounds equipment.
• Knowledge of all outdoor sports, field layout and striping.
• Maintenance experience, including preventative maintenance and the ability to work independently.
• Hands on working experience with mechanical and electrical systems.
• Previous custodian experience.
• Must have a good attendance record and be punctual.
• Must have the desire to work in a cooperative manner and team environment.
• Must have positive work performance evaluations and no recent disciplinary actions.
• Must conduct a positive interview and receive a good reference from current and previous supervisors.
• Must be physically qualified to perform assigned duties including lifting up to 50lbs on a regular basis and display flexibility in assignments.
• Demonstrated experience and proficiency working with a culturally, ethnically, racially and socioeconomically diverse school community is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist the building engineer with the appearance and operation of outside grounds; seed, fertilize, aerate, mow, water lawn, layout and stripe fields. Remove snow as necessary.
• Perform daily inspections, service and repair grounds equipment.
• Repair and maintain building systems.
• Divide grounds work and time equally as needed or as assigned.
• Clean building areas and move and assemble furniture, etc.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Responsible To

Building Engineer

Compensation / Benefits

According to contractual agreement (based on 2025-27 contract)

If benefit eligible, benefits are available to new employees effective the first day of active employment. Benefits include medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, long term disability insurance, sick-leave, state pension plan, tax-deferred retirement savings account, and flexible spending account. Some employee groups also receive vacation, holidays or personal leave. Benefit information is available at Employee Benefits - Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan ISD 196

• medical insurance
• dental insurance
• life insurance
• long term disability insurance
• sick-leave
• state pension plan
• tax-deferred retirement savings account
• flexible spending account
• vacation
• holidays
• personal leave

Our team of dedicated educators is committed to the mission of Educating, developing, and inspiring our students for lifelong success. Our core values are student-centered, based in empathy and integrity to support the wellbeing of the whole person, and learning with Our team of dedicated educators is committed to the mission of Educating, developing, and inspiring our students for lifelong success. Our core values are student-centered, based in empathy and integrity to support the wellbeing of the whole person, and learning with high expectations for all. Our culture of collaboration fosters an environment of inclusivity, engagement and belonging for all students, and inspires a love of learning for all ages. Our vision is to provide the experiences that our students, families and employees desire by developing the whole student and honoring diverse needs and cultures; engaging students with opportunities in academics, arts and athletics (Triple A philosophy), and living our mission to prepare students for lifelong success.

District 196 is a Minnesota public school district of choice, serving more than 29,000 students and 160,000 residents in the cities of Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, Coates, Empire, Inver Grove Heights and Lakeville, and Vermillion Township. District 196 is the third largest school district in Minnesota and among the largest employers in Dakota County, with more than 4,000 full- and part-time employees. District 196 has been named to Forbes' list of America's Best-in-State Employers multiple times based on a survey asking employees to rate their employers and how likely they would be to recommend them to others.

District 196 has 20 elementary schools (grades K-5); six middle schools (grades 6-8); four high schools (grades 9-12); an optional School of Environmental Studies for juniors and seniors; an Area Learning Center high school program; a K-12 special education school, and a special education program serving young adults ages 18-22. The district also operates three learning centers that provide early childhood and Adult Basic Education services, and offers extensive community education programs and classes for learners of all ages.

Equal Opportunity Employer

As required by Title IX and other state and federal nondiscrimination laws, District 196 does not discriminate in employment or in any of its education programs and activities, including vocational opportunities, on the basis of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, familial status,* disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, membership or activity in a local human rights commission,* age or genetic information.* District 196 provides equal access to designated youth groups.

The Director of Human Resources, Joel Milteer (651-423-7859 [e-mail]) is the designated Title IX Coordinator and has also been designated to respond to employment-related inquiries regarding the district's non-discrimination policies. The Director of Elementary Education, Jeremy Sorenson (651-423-7782 [e-mail]) and the Director of Secondary Education, Eric Hansen (651-423-7712 [e-mail]) have been designated to respond to student-related inquiries regarding the district's non-discrimination policies. The Director of Special Education, Janet Fimmen (651-423-7629 [e-mail]) has been designated to respond to inquiries concerning the rights of a student with a disability. The mailing address for all directors is 3455 153rd Street W, Rosemount, MN 55068. Title IX inquiries may also be referred to the Assistant Secretary of the US Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

• Asterisked categories are limited to employment-related discrimination and harassment.