Grounds/Maintenance Worker

Indiana University; Gary (IN); On-site; USD 31,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

Tuition subsidy for employees and IU-

10 paid holidays and generous paidtime

Job summary

Indiana University Northwest campus in Gary, Indiana seeks a Groundskeeper to maintain outdoor spaces, perform snow removal, and assist with general campus maintenance. The role focuses on keeping sidewalks, turf, and plantings attractive and safe year-round.

Potential candidate will operate mowers and equipment, manage landscaping tasks, and respond to weather-related campus needs. The position requires attention to safety and environmental standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1 year of landscape/grounds maintenance experience required; 2 years preferred.
• Experience operating commercial grounds equipment (mowers, skid steers, tractors, snow removal).
• Must have a valid driver's license and ability to be insured by IU.

Responsibilities

• Mows, trims, and edges turf areas with various mowers and tools.
• Mulches, weeds, and maintains beds and walkways.
• Plants, waters, and maintains plantings and landscape features.
• Performs snow and ice removal as needed.
• Responds to emergencies and weather events as required.
• Maintains grounds equipment and reports safety hazards.

Skills

Outdoor maintenance

Lawn mowing

Equipment operation

Safety compliance

Communication

Time management

Problem solving

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

1 year grounds experience

Tools

Riding mower

Skid steer

Tractors

Snow removal equipment

Job description

Department PHYSICAL PLANT (NW-PHYP-IUNWA)Job Summary Department Specific Responsibilities

Maintains the overall appearance, cleanliness, and safety of the IU Northwest campus grounds, including academic buildings, parking lots, sidewalks, entrances, green spaces, and common outdoor areas.

Performs routine lawn and landscape maintenance, including mowing, edging, trimming, aerating, mulching, weed removal, pruning, planting, watering, and seasonal beautification projects.

Assists in maintaining campus curb appeal by removing litter, debris, leaves, and other materials from grounds, sidewalks, parking lots, and storm drains.

Performs snow and ice removal on sidewalks, parking lots, building entrances, stairways, and pedestrian pathways to ensure a safe campus environment during inclement weather.

Operates and maintains groundskeeping equipment, including mowers, weed trimmers, blowers, tractors, skid steers, snow removal equipment, and utility vehicles.

Assists with preventive maintenance and minor repairs of grounds equipment and tools.

Supports campus events by assisting with outdoor event setup, signage placement, furniture movement, and grounds preparation.

Monitors campus grounds for hazards, irrigation issues, damaged signage, potholes, lighting issues, or safety concerns, and report any deficiencies promptly.

Applies fertilizer, seed, mulch, and approved chemicals in accordance with university safety procedures and environmental standards.

Assists with general campus maintenance duties as assigned, including light painting, basic repairs, and facilities support.

Responds to campus emergencies and weather-related events as needed, including after-hours or weekend snow response.

General Responsibilities

Mows, trims, and edges turf areas using a riding mower, push mower, weed whip, and edger.

Mulches, weeds, removes thatch, aerates, and trims and edges around flower beds, walks, pathways and walls.

Prepares planting beds with hand and power tools; integrates soil amendments; plants bulbs, flowers, ground covers, trees, and shrubs; applies mulch.

Prune trees, shrubs, vines, and hedges.

Applies seed, fertilizer, and chemicals.

Rakes leaves.

Performs snow and ice removal with hand tools and power equipment.

Participates in a variety of general maintenance tasks.

Performs minor wall/drywall repair and painting; minor plumbing-related repairs (faucet washers, clogged toilets, fountains, irrigation, etc).

Maintains parking lots and signage, clears storm water grates, paints curbs and stripes lots, and fills potholes.

Collects trash and items for recycling.

Checks lighting fixtures and changes/replaces light bulbs.

Transports parts, tools, equipment, and materials.

May wash vehicles, check and top off fluid levels, and deliver vehicles for maintenance or servicing.

Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned, including general building maintenance duties.

Drives University vehicles as needed.

Works any shift as needed.

24-hour-a-day emergency response as needed.

Assists with snow removal activities as necessary.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

Required

High school diploma or equivalent (such as HSED or GED).

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

1 year of experience with landscape or grounds-related work. OR 1 year of experience with light general maintenance.

Preferred

2 years of experience in commercial landscaping, groundskeeping, facilities maintenance, municipal/public grounds maintenance, higher education, or park district operations.

Experience operating commercial grounds equipment, including riding mowers, skid steers, tractors, snow removal equipment, or utility vehicles.

Experience with snow and ice management in a commercial, municipal, or campus environment.

Experience maintaining large outdoor properties or multi-building facilities preferred.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Required

Possesses a valid drivers license and ability to be insured by Indiana University upon date of hire.

SKILLS

Required

Ability to work in a safe and efficient manner.

Proficient communication skills.

Maintains a high degree of professionalism.

Demonstrates time management and priority-setting skills.

Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.

Possesses flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Seeks to acquire knowledge in the area of specialty.

Highly thorough and dependable.

Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure.

Excellent organizational skills.

Ability to represent the company with external constituents.

Ability to drive multiple projects to successful completion.

Strong verbal communication and listening skills.

Ability to build strong customer relationships.

Quickly troubleshoots and resolves problems.

Knowledge of tools, equipment, techniques, skills, materials, and methods of landscaping and maintenance of lawns and formal plantings.

Ability to determine the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Ability to operate riding and push mower, power tiller, power edger, weed whip, blower, sprayer, tractor, skid steer loader, dump-bed truck, basic hand and power tools, truck and trailer, and string trimmer.

Ability to perform minor maintenance of grounds-related equipment.

Ability to work with a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds.

Ability to apply seed, fertilizer, and chemicals.

May be required to acquire and maintain position-required certifications.

Preferred Knowledge of landscaping techniques, seasonal grounds maintenance, turf care, and plant maintenance.

Working knowledge of safe operation of groundskeeping equipment and tools.

Ability to work independently while managing priorities across a large campus footprint.

Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining an attractive, safe, and welcoming campus environment.

Ability to identify and troubleshoot minor maintenance or grounds-related issues.

Demonstrated reliability, punctuality, and ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Strong teamwork and customer service skills with the ability to interact professionally with faculty, staff, students, and visitors.

Basic understanding of workplace safety procedures, chemical handling, and OSHA standards related to groundskeeping.

Ability to respond to urgent operational needs, weather emergencies, and changing campus priorities.

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to remain in a stationary position as well as the ability to move about the workplace for long durations. It requires effective communication, the ability to operate machinery, tools, and controls. The role requires the ability to ascend/descend ladders/stairs, and to position one's self in low level positions, detect a variety of chemicals and/or gases. The role requires the ability to ascend to rooftops and move in tight spaces to perform and complete inspections. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Available to work during inclement weather (i.e., snow and ice) when weather emergencies dictate that the department is needed to take care of the campus.

Work Location

IU Northwest CampusGary, Indiana

Advertised Salary

Salary Range: $31,200 - $36,421.00

Benefits Overview

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Job Classification

Career Level: Foundational

FLSA: Nonexempt

Job Function: Engineering, Trades & Facility

Job Family: Groundskeeping

Equal Employment Opportunity

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

Campus Safety and Security

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at [e-mail] or by visiting IUPD.

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