Grounds/Maintenance Worker

Indiana University; Kokomo (IN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental

HSA contributions

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Job summary

Indiana University in Kokomo is seeking a groundskeeper to maintain turf, beds, and campus landscapes. The role involves operating mowers and power tools, applying mulch, and performing routine maintenance and snow removal.

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 1 year of landscape or light maintenance experience; a valid driver's license is required. The job is based on-site with IU benefits and a strong emphasis on safety and teamwork.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 1 year of landscape/grounds experience or 1 year of light general maintenance.
• Possesses a valid driver's license and ability to be insured.

Responsibilities

• Mows, trims, and edges turf areas with mowing equipment.
• Maintains planting beds; applies mulch and soil amendments.
• Performs snow and ice removal; general maintenance and repairs.
• Operates vehicles and equipment; participates in building grounds tasks.

Skills

Safety awareness

Communication skills

Time management

Professionalism

Flexibility

Equipment operation

Customer relations

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Riding mower

Power edger

Weed whip

Blower

Job description

• Mows, trims, and edges turf areas using 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. Prunes 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 pot holes. Collects trash and items to be recycled.
• Checks lighting fixtures and changes/replaces light bulbs.
• Transports parts, tools, equipment, and materials.
• May wash vehicles, checks and tops off fluid levels, and delivers 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.

PHYSICAL PLANT (KO-PHYP-IUKOA)

• Mows, trims, and edges turf areas using 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. Prunes 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 pot holes. Collects trash and items to be recycled.
• Checks lighting fixtures and changes/replaces light bulbs.
• Transports parts, tools, equipment, and materials.
• May wash vehicles, checks and tops off fluid levels, and delivers 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.

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.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Required

• Possesses a valid driver's 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 written and verbal 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 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 wide variety of cultures and backgrounds.
• Ability to apply seed, fertilizer and chemicals.

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.

Kokomo, Indiana

$33,280.00 annually

Benefits

• 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)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure.

Career Level: Foundational

FLSA: Nonexempt

Job Function: Engineering, Trades & Facility

Job Family: Groundskeeping

Request Support

Telephone: [phone]

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.

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.