Grounds Maintenance Worker 2

Southern Oregon University; Oregon, Ashland (WI, OR); On-site; USD 28,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Oregon University is seeking a Grounds Maintenance Worker 2 to support the Landscape Maintenance team across the SOU campus and Student Apartments and Family Housing properties.

The role focuses on routine maintenance of lawns, beds, trees, shrubs, and related landscape systems, with responsibilities in mowing, pruning, fertilizing, irrigation support, debris removal, and seasonal snow/ice response.

Qualifications

• Two years of grounds keeping experience including plant care.
• Associate's degree in Landscape Technology or Horticulture or equivalent.
• Completion of a Landscape Certification program or license in a horticultural specialty.

Responsibilities

• Landscape Maintenance (60%) Plants, prunes, and fertilizes shrubs and trees.
• Advanced tree pruning and removal.
• Operates heavy equipment and light-duty vehicles daily.
• Mows and edges lawns using appropriate equipment.
• Overseeds, fertilizes, aerates, top-dresses, and dethatches lawn as directed.
• Removes ice and snow from walkways and entrances during winter.

Skills

Groundskeeping experience

Plant care

Mowing and pruning

Education

Associate's degree in Landscape Technology or Horticulture

Landscape Certification program or license

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Date application must be received for priority consideration by: September 29, 2026

Anticipated Appointment Begin Date: October 15, 2026

Closing Date or if blank, Open Until Filled:

Job Family Group: Support Staff

Support Staff Classification Title: Grounds Maintenance Worker 2

Division/Department: Finance and Administration/Facilities, Management and Planning

Compensation Range (commensurate with experience): Salary Range 18, Steps 1-2, $20.19-$20.98/hourly or $3,499-$3,636 monthly @ 1.0 FTE

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Appointment Basis: 12-month

Time Type: Full-time

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Renewable/Non-renewable/Grants/Limited Duration/Temporary: Renewable

This position must possess and maintain a current, valid Driver License: Yes

This position is designated as a critical, security-sensitive or safety-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal Background Check: Yes

Lead Work/Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Work Location Type: On-campus

Work Hours: Generally 7AM to 4Pm.

During inclement weather, the Landscape Department is required to perform snow/Ice removal tasks. Must be available for weather-related call-ins during these conditions.

Hours are subject to change with notice.

Worker Status: Must be able to legally work in the United States without visa sponsorship

POSITION DESCRIPTION

This position reports to the Landscape Department Coordinator and supports the Landscape Maintenance team through daily and seasonal grounds care across the SOU campus and Student Apartments and Family Housing (SAFH) properties.

The primary focus of this role is the routine maintenance, appearance, and functional quality of campus landscape areas, including lawns, planting beds, trees and shrubs, hardscapes, and associated landscape systems.

This position performs a broad range of landscape maintenance tasks including mowing, edging, pruning, planting, mulching, aeration, fertilization, and chemical applications, while also participating in equipment operation, irrigation support, debris management, and seasonal snow and ice response.

The role works closely with other Landscape staff to maintain safe, functional, and visually appealing campus grounds while supporting the long-term health, appearance, and usability of university landscape areas.

Facilities Management and Planning administers custodial services; building maintenance and alterations; utilities operations (heating and cooling); landscape services; capital construction review as it pertains to future maintenance; motor pool operations; property control and inventory; delivery services; stores operations and other support activities necessary for the benefit of administration and academic areas of the campus community.

The SOU campus includes 175 acres of grounds, 140 of which are under active use and maintenance.

Facilities Management maintains 21 major buildings comprising over one million square feet of building space.

The department employs approximately 45 full time personnel and is responsible for approximately 9% of the total campus budget.

Minimum Requirements

• Pesticide applicator's license may be required based on position duties
• Two years experience as a grounds keeper which included plant care
• An Associate's degree in Landscape Technology or Horticulture
• Completion of a Landscape Certification program or license in a horticultural specialty

Preferred Requirements

• Landscape/Building Industry certificates, licenses, work experience, and/or class work completed.
• Trades/Technical School Degree or Associate Degree in a related field.
• Public Pesticide Applicator License through the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
• Must have the license category "Ornamental and Turf - Herbicide".
• Applicants must obtain this certification within 6 months of hire.

Essential Functions Duties

• Landscape Maintenance (60%) Plants, prunes, and fertilizes shrubs and trees.
• Advanced tree pruning and removal.
• Operates heavy equipment and light-duty commercial vehicles daily.
• Applies landscape mulch to shrub beds.
• Mows and edges lawns using appropriate equipment.
• Overseeds, fertilizes, aerates, top-dresses, and de-thatches lawn using the appropriate technique/equipment as directed.
• Identifies landscape or lawn problems (irrigation issues, pests, disease) and takes action to remedy/informs supervisor.
• Applies herbicides and insecticides as directed and under the supervision of Licensed Applicators on staff.
• Operates, installs, and repairs irrigation systems as directed.
• Removes leaves, brush from streets, steps, sidewalks, drains, lawns, landscape areas, and parking lots using the appropriate equipment as directed.
• Removes trash from all landscape areas and empties trash cans as directed.
• Transports litter, plant debris, and brush to bulk materials yard.
• Removes ice and snow from walkways, parking lots, and building entrances using plows, snow shovels, and other equipment as directed; applies granular and liquid de-icer as directed.
• Equipment Maintenance (10%) Maintains equipment according to Department procedures.
• Troubleshoots and performs minor repairs on landscape maintenance equipment.
• Refers major repairs to the Landscape Coordinator or Landscape Supervisor.
• Other Duties (30%) Works with groups of Student and Temp Workers as an occasional 'Crew Lead' - establishes project-specific work goals and provides clarifications to Supervisor instructions on an as-needed basis.
• Cleans Landscape Dept. Shop, vehicles, and equipment weekly.
• Attends meetings and training seminars.
• Maintain work files and records as requested.
• Interacts with faculty, staff, students, parents, agencies and private vendors in a courteous and respectful manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

Excellent communication skills; demonstrated ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.

Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism to effectively handle a broad range of sensitive interpersonal situations.

Demonstrated ability to interpret and consistently apply a wide variety of complex policies and procedures where specific guidelines may not always exist.

Expressed ability to work with frequent changes in policies and procedures, under pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Strong analytical and research skills; demonstrated ability to gather, evaluate, and to develop well-reasoned conclusions and recommendations.

Demonstrated ability to proactively assess work operations and anticipate potential problems; ability to develop and implement strategies for preventing/resolving problems.

Great ability to effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature that requires access to information.

Must be able to exercise sound judgment and discretion, tact, and diplomacy.

Takes initiative in independently planning, organizing, and performing work assignments within broadly defined parameters.

Demonstrated ability to work with a high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail.

Excellent organizational and time management skills with the demonstrated ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.

Expressed skill to independently analyze software functionality through technical documents, and design and document efficient/effective work processes; ability to independently analyze software problems, test probable causes, and recommend sound solutions.

Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, online systems, social media platforms, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.

Demonstrated ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.

Willingness to and work effectively in a heavily bureaucratic environment which requires regular interaction with a number of levels within the organization and multiple outside agencies.

Working knowledge or ability to quickly learn, university infrastructure, policies, and procedures.

Demonstrated ability to provide training and direction to student assistants.

Demonstrated skills in an institution/educational environment utilizing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.

Maintain a safe and safety-conscious workplace.

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Ensures that Safety and Risk Management practices are followed in the performance of all work.

Organizes work to ensure efficient use of resources and to meet work completion deadlines.

Knowledge or willingness to learn about the following:

• Plant identification
• Herbicide and fertilizer applications and reporting requirements
• Mowing equipment operation and maintenance
• Lawn aeration, topdressing, reseeding and sports field layouts
• Irrigation system repair, installation and operation
• Construction equipment operation, including backhoes, excavators, and loaders
• Tree and shrub pruning and planting
• Plant diseases and insect control using IPM Pruning procedures and the proper use and care of pruning tools

Physical Demands

Ability to work at heights of up to 80 vertical feet from the ground. Pushing, pulling, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching; lifting and carrying 70+ lbs., climbing; planting, pruning.

Using mowers, chainsaws, heavy equipment, rakes, shovels, aerators, plows, blowers and heavy trucks.

Exposure to chemicals (fertilizers and pesticides), insects and fumes and familiarity with required Personal Protective Equipment.

Willing to work in all weather conditions.

Special Conditions

Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.

Must be able to work additional hours and adjust working hours to meet special jobs.

May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.

Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment background check.

This position classification has been defined as non-exempt and is subject to the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

The person holding this position is considered a mandatory reporter under the Oregon Revised Statutes and is required to comply with the requirements set forth by the Oregon Department of Human Services.

This position requires driving for university business. Final candidates will be contacted by Human Resources to complete the university’s driver clearance process.

Candidates who hold driver’s licenses issued outside the State of Oregon will be required to provide a certified driving record from their state of residence during the assessment phase.

Equal Access

SOU is an equal access AA/EOE committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Southern Oregon University will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of accommodation in order to provide access to the application, interviewing, and selection process.

You are not required to note the presence of a disability on this application. If, however, you require a reasonable accommodation in the application and/or interview process due to disability, requests must be made in a timely manner to Human Resources.

Diversity Statement: Southern Oregon University is a welcoming community committed to inclusive excellence and the celebration of diversity. Without diversity, our educational process is diminished. Working together in support of our commitment to diversity, we strengthen and enrich our role as learners, educators, and members of a tightly connected global community. We encourage those who share in our commitment to diversity, to join our community and we expect all our employees to demonstrate an ability and desire to create an inclusive campus community.

SOU Land Acknowledgement We want to take this moment to acknowledge that Southern Oregon University is located within the ancestral homelands of the Shasta, Takelma, and Latgawa peoples who lived here since time immemorial. These Tribes were displaced during rapid Euro-American colonization, the Gold Rush, and armed conflict between 1851 and 1856. In the 1850s, the discovery of gold and settlement brought thousands of Euro-Americans to their lands, leading to warfare, epidemics, starvation, and villages being burned. In 1853 the first of several treaties were signed, confederating these Tribes and others together – who would then be referred to as the Rogue River Tribe. These treaties ceded most of their homelands to the United States, and in return, they were guaranteed a permanent homeland reserved for them. At the end of the Rogue River Wars in 1856, these Tribes and many other Tribes from western Oregon were removed to the Siletz Reservation and the Grand Ronde Reservation. Today, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (www.grandronde.org) and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (www.ctsi.nsn.us) are living descendants of the Takelma, Shasta, and Latgawa peoples of this area. We encourage YOU to learn about the land you reside on and to join us in advocating for the inherent sovereignty of Indigenous people.

An electronic copy of the Annual Security Report (ASR) can be accessed at the following link: https://cps.sou.edu/clery-act-annual-security-report/.

A physical copy of the ASR is available at no charge upon request.

To request a copy, please visit the Office of the General Counsel located in Churchill Hall, 1250 Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland, Oregon 97520.

For more information, call 541-552-7095, or email [e-mail].