Groundskeeper

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse; La Crosse (WI); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Paid sick days

Retirement benefits

Job summary

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is seeking a Groundskeeper to maintain campus grounds, trees, shrubs, and landscaping. Responsibilities include seasonal planting, pruning, and supporting snow removal and athletic field maintenance. Overtime is required for snow removal and events.

Work hours are typically Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with supervision by Grounds Services Manager. UW–La Crosse does not sponsor work visas.

Qualifications

• Must hold a valid driver’s license meeting the criteria for driving a state vehicle.
• Must obtain State of Wisconsin Commercial Pesticide Applicator License Category 3.0 Turf and Landscape within 6 months of hire and maintain certification.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds regularly.
• Physically able to work in various positions and environments (bending, twisting, kneeling, heights, etc.).
• Overtime work may be required for snow removal and special events.

Responsibilities

• Constructs lawn and landscaping projects including soil grading, seeding, and sodding.
• Installs, propagates, and maintains health of plants and landscape using equipment.
• Identifies and remedies plant diseases and insect damage.
• Keeps lawns, walkways, and parking areas clean and free of debris, snow, and ice.
• Implements and monitors chemical and fertilizer programs.

Skills

Valid driver's license

Pesticide license

Education

State of Wisconsin Commercial Pesticide Applicator License Category 3.0 Turf and Landscape

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title

Groundskeeper

Job Category

University Staff

Employment Type

Regular

Job Profile

Groundskeeper

Job Duties

Job Description

The Groundskeeper is responsible for the maintenance of grounds and landscaping. This position performs a variety of tasks, including the planting and maintenance of trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials and bulbs, application of herbicides and pesticides, and tree and shrub pruning. The Groundskeeper will also support the overall groundskeeping operation of the University including grounds maintenance tasks such as snow removal, athletic field maintenance, and litter and trash removal. Overtime work will be required for snow removal and for Special Events including but not limited to the WIAA State Track Meet. The normal work schedule for this position will be Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This position reports to the Grounds Services Manager.

UW-La Crosse does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 608-785-8013.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Constructs lawn and landscaping projects including soil grading, seeding, and sodding
• Installs, propagates, and maintains the health of new and existing plants and landscape using a variety of vehicles and equipment
• Identifies and acts to remedy plant diseases and insect damage
• Maintains clean and clear lawns, walkways, roadways, and parking lots to ensure they are free of debris, litter, snow, and ice
• Implements and monitors chemical and fertilizer programs

Department

Grounds Services

Compensation

$18/ hour

Required Qualifications

• The ability to hold and maintain a valid driver’s license meeting the criteria for driving a state vehicle.
• Individuals must have or be able to obtain a State of Wisconsin Commercial Pesticide Applicator License Category 3.0 Turf and Landscape within 6 months of hire and must maintain certification throughout employment.
• Ability to grasp, lift and/or carry tools, equipment, or supplies, up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• Physically be able to work in various positions, i.e. with arms above your head for periods of time; bending, twisting, crawling, squatting, climbing, stooping or kneeling; on scaffolding, ladders or stairs; standing, sitting or walking, while continuously performing job functions.
• Physically be able to work in various environments without adverse physical reactions, e.g., within extreme temperature ranges; in hot, noisy, dirty or dust-filled areas; at heights above 30 feet, etc.
• Ability to wear protective equipment, i.e. respirator, breathing apparatus, hearing, or eye protection, etc.
• Knowledge of safe, efficient operation of heavy equipment.
• Ability to work overtime hours for snow removal or for other special events as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree or professional certification in a directly related field.
• Knowledge of preventative maintenance of heavy equipment.
• Ability to identify different varieties of annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs.
• Ability to safely operate equipment in areas with high levels of pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle activity.
• Knowledge of essential job functions and ability to safely perform duties with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge or ability to learn relevant software and/or computer languages in order to operate preventive maintenance, work order, time reporting and inventory control programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally or in writing, using the English language, in various situations, i.e. face to face, via phone or two-way radio, correspondence, taking messages, email, etc.

Education

High School

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials

UWL is a state agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWL will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBC & Reference Check Policy

All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the UWL Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.uwlax.edu/student-life/student-resources/annual-security-report/ or contact the University Police Department at 608.785.9000.

Informationaboutyourbenefits

Your benefits add an additional 40%+ to the overall financial package from the university.

Highlights Include

• Paid vacation for 12-month positions.
• Excellent flexible health insurance with low co-pays and good coverage.
• Paid holidays and paid sick days.
• After 5 years of employment, you become vested in our retirement system which ensures income post-career.
• Benefits atUWLare highly competitive with local industry and some of the strongest in state and nation.

Benefit eligibility is determined at the point of hire. This information is provided for illustrative purposes only. Benefits are also pro-rated based on the appointment percentage.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.