Groundskeeper

Clarke University; Dubuque (IA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Clarke University seeks a Groundskeeper to maintain campus beauty and safety. Under supervision from Facilities leadership, you will care for lawns, plantings, sidewalks, parking areas, and related spaces to ensure a well-kept campus environment.

You will operate grounds equipment, apply horticultural treatments, and support snow removal and seasonal clean-up. This role emphasizes reliability, teamwork with student workers, and adherence to campus standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required with 1 year of grounds or related work experience.
• Valid driver’s license required for campus operations.
• Ability to attain Iowa pesticide/herbicide permit within required timeframe.

Responsibilities

• Maintain grounds including lawns, planting beds, sidewalks, parking lots, and streets.
• Perform seeding, planting, transplanting of flowers, trees, shrubs, and lawns.
• Water, weed and cultivate planting beds; trim hedges and shrubs.
• Apply chemicals used in grounds keeping (horticulture, turf management, floriculture).
• Perform grounds cleaning of trash and debris.
• Conduct Spring and Fall grounds clean-up on campus.
• Collect trash and place in dumpsters; maintain tidy grounds.
• Operate tractors with attachments (mowers, seeders, sprayers, aerators, snow plows, snow blowers).
• Ensure equipment is operational; perform routine maintenance and cleaning of machines.
• Perform snow and ice removal from parking lots and sidewalks.
• Assist in directing student workers as directed by supervisor.
• Respond to calls for emergency service including snow removal.
• Assist maintenance personnel and campus setups as directed.

Skills

Valid driver's license

Pesticide/herbicide permit eligibility

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

At Clarke University, we look for individuals who lead from the heart and embrace our values of education, charity, justice, and freedom. By creating a community focused on care, we empower everyone at Clarke to do and be their best. We offer meaningful work, a safe and friendly work environment, and an outstanding benefits package. So, if you're looking for a place you can make a positive impact, we hope you'll consider Clarke!

The university is currently seeking a qualified individual to join our facilities team in the role of Groundskeeper. Under direct supervision from the Director of Facilities, this position is responsible for the general appearance, upkeep & maintenance of campus grounds.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Maintain grounds; including lawn areas, planting beds, sidewalks, parking lots, and streets
• Perform seeding, planting, and transplanting of flowers, trees, shrubs and lawns
• Water, weed, and cultivate planting beds; remove spent blooms and trim hedges and shrubs
• Apply chemicals used in grounds keeping (horticulture, turf management, and floriculture)
• Perform grounds cleaning of trash and debris
• Perform Spring and Fall grounds clean-up activities on campus
• Collect trash from buildings and grounds and place in designated trash and recycling dumpsters
• Operate tractors with attachments such as mowers, seeders, sprayers, aerators, snow plows and snow blowers
• Ensure equipment is operational by performing routine/preventative maintenance and clean equipment and machines within reasonable capabilities
• Perform snow and ice removal from parking lots and sidewalks
• Assist in directing the work of student employees as directed by supervisor
• Respond to calls for emergency service including snow removal
• Assist maintenance personnel and campus setups as directed

Qualifications include:

• A high school diploma and/or GED and 1 year of grounds or related work experience
• Valid driver's license
• Ability to attain an Iowa Applications Permit for herbicides and pesticides