Grounds Worker S04

Cornell University; City of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellbeing benefits

Retirement contributions

Employee discounts

Job summary

Carnell University in Ithaca, NY, is seeking union landscape workers to maintain and construct campus grounds. Roles involve variable duties, extensive hours, and emergency call-ins under the UAW contract.

Starting pay is $24.55/hour with comprehensive benefits. Requires a high school diploma, a valid license, and 2+ years in landscape work. Cornell emphasizes safety, teamwork, and inclusive service to the campus community.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Valid US motor vehicle operator license required.
• Minimum of two years’ experience with landscape maintenance, landscape construction, or related field.
• Experience in fast-paced commercial/residential landscaping.
• Working knowledge of methods, materials, tools and equipment used in landscaping.
• Excellent interpersonal (oral and written) skills to interact with a diverse range of people.
• Proven ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Strong customer service orientation while serving the campus community.
• Motivated, proactive with independent judgment and problem solving.
• Ability to cultivate inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community.

Responsibilities

• Performs manual labor for general landscape maintenance and/or landscape construction tasks, including turf maintenance, plant maintenance, litter control, snow removal, and other duties.
• Promptly reports unsafe conditions or damage to campus landscape, equipment, or facilities.
• Subject to call‑in twenty‑four hours a day, seven days a week to handle emergencies, especially snow emergencies.
• Subject to shift changes and extended working hours (including nights, early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays) to meet seasonal work demand.
• May encounter sewage and dead animals.
• Regular exposure to bees and pollen.
• This position is covered by the UAW Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• At the end of the probationary period employees will be required to pay union dues.
• All employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, integrity; and supporting inclusive and sustainable practices in carrying out everyday responsibilities.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Customer service

Independent judgment

Problem solving

Inclusive relationships

License

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Formal training in horticulture / arboriculture (preferred)

Job description

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

• Performs manual labor for general landscape maintenance and /or landscape construction tasks, including turf maintenance, plant maintenance, litter control, snow removal, and other duties
• Promptly reports unsafe conditions or damage to campus landscape, equipment, or facilities
• Subject to call‑in twenty‑four hours a day, seven days a week to handle emergencies, especially snow emergencies
• Subject to shift changes and extended working hours (including nights, early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays) to meet seasonal work demand. Subject to working in weather related extremes of heat and cold for extended periods
• May encounter sewage and dead animals
• Regular exposure to bees and pollen
• This position is covered by the UAW Collective Bargaining Agreement
• At the end of the probationary period employees will be required to pay union dues per article 1 of the agreement
• All employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, integrity; and supporting inclusive and sustainable practices in carrying out everyday responsibilities
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

We are a value–based organization where all employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity. Facilities and Campus Services employees are required to attend staff development trainings and participate in the performance evaluation process.

These are endowed/contract (2 positions available), union position within the United Auto Workers (UAW). The starting pay rate is $24.55/hour.

We require these qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Valid US motor vehicle operator license required
• Minimum of two years’ experience with landscape maintenance, landscape construction, or related field
• Experience and ability to work in a fast paced commercial and or residential landscaping environment
• Working knowledge of the methods, materials, tools and equipment used in the landscaping trade
• Excellent interpersonal (oral and written) skills to interact with a diverse range of people
• Proven ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• A strong customer service orientation while providing a helpful and friendly approach to serving the campus community
• Is motivated and takes initiative to be proactive. Demonstrated experience utilizing independent judgment and problem solving to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

You will be a top candidate with our preferred qualifications:

• Formal training in ornamental horticulture, agronomy, arboriculture, phytopathology, ornamental plant pests, and/or equipment operation helpful
• Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Rewards and Benefits:

• This position is based in Ithaca, New York.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award‑winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell .
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition‑free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell .

Job Family:

United Auto Workers

Level:

S04

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

Refer to Union Pay Rates Link Below

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

EEO Statement:

Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world‑class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

About Us

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. With our main campus located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell's far‑flung global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

We offer a rich array of services, programs and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of personal life, including: employee wellness, workshops, childcare and adoption assistance, parental leave, flexible work options.