Groundskeeper

Northwood; Midland, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwood University is seeking a Groundskeeper to maintain and enhance outdoor spaces across the Midland campus. Responsibilities include planting, seeding, weeding, and safe herbicide/pesticide applications under supervision, with regular equipment operation and basic repairs.

The role supports the university's mission by keeping public spaces safe, welcoming, and aesthetically optimal. The position requires a valid Michigan driver’s license, a pesticide license within 90 days of hire, and at

Qualifications

• Two years’ experience in horticultural/landscape area or equivalent.
• State of Michigan certification in herbicide and pesticide application (within 90 days of hire).
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Planting, seeding, weeding, and application of herbicides/pesticides as directed by supervision.
• Operate and repair grounds equipment including tractors, mowers, trimmers, edgers and snow removal gear.
• Maintain athletic fields and landscapes; ensure safety and curb appeal year-round.
• Maintain sprinkler systems and assist with environmental stewardship and campus beautification.
• Adhere to policies, PPE requirements, and state guidelines for grounds operations.

Skills

Driver's license

Pesticide license

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Tractors

Commercial mowers

Weed trimmer

Power edger

Sweeper

Snow blower

Job description

The Groundskeeper plays a vital role in preserving and enhancing Northwood University’s award-winning campus, recognized for excellence in beautification and landscape presentation. Spanning over 400 acres, with 70 acres of actively maintained grounds, this position goes beyond routine maintenance to actively support landscape enhancement, design implementation, and long-term environmental stewardship.

Through thoughtful planting, horticultural care, hardscape upkeep, and meticulous attention to detail, the Groundskeeper helps sustain the clean, vibrant, and inviting public spaces that distinguish Northwood University.

This role directly supports the University’s mission by maintaining safe, welcoming, and aesthetically exceptional outdoor environments for students, employees, and visitors year-round.

• Perform general grounds operations including but not limited to planting, seeding, weeding, application of herbicides, pruning, trimming, mowing and aeration.
• Conduct proper watering, fertilizing, herbicide and pesticide applications directed by supervision and incompliance with State of Michigan certification requirements.
• Operate grounds equipment including tractors, commercial mowers, weed trimmer, power edger, sweeper, snow blower.
• Perform service, preventative maintenance and repair on all equipment listed above and other auxiliary equipment.
• Attach and detach plows, power brooms, blades, mower decks and related equipment.
• Perform snow removal plan including snow blowing, plowing, salting, shoveling and other procedures.
• Perform additional duties which may be assigned by the Director, the Physical Plant Supervisor or the Maintenance Crew Leader.
• Assist other maintenance personnel as required.
• Set up and proper maintenance care of all athletic fields.
• Be able to operate and repair any of the sprinkler systems in place on campus.
• Participate in all aspects of campus beautification including, but not limited to:

  • Landscape enhancement (planting, weeding, and maintaining beds) for year-around appeal.

  • Aesthetic maintenance such as removing litter, debris, and graffiti.

  • Horticultural care such as caring for season foliage, shrubs and trees.

  • Hardscape upkeep cleaning of parking lots, sidewalks, parking lots (debris and painting).

  • Maintaining clean, vibrant and inviting public spaces for all to enjoy. Curb appeal, pride and environmental stewardship are key.

• Valid unrestricted Michigan Driver’s License.
• State of Michigan certification in herbicide and pesticide application. (Within 90 days of hire)
• Two years’ experience in the horticultural/landscape area or an equivalent combination of the technical training and experience.
• Successfully pass pre-employment physical.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Physical Environment:

A great deal of physical effort is involved in the following activities: walking, pushing, pulling, climbing and working off ladders, twisting, turning, reaching, squatting bending, kneeling, carrying heavy equipment and supplies weighing up to but not limited to 80 pounds, finger dexterity, visual acuity.

A great deal of mental processing is involved in the following areas; reading, remembering, observing and evaluating, reasoning, problem solving, measuring, communicating verbally and in writing, following written and oral directions.

• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• The aptitude for successful completion of the characteristic job duties.
• Ability to maintain good working relations with supervisors, co-workers and other Northwood University personnel.
• Promptly report to work, fully ready to work during assigned shift
• Obtain pesticide license.
• Be able to work independently without constant direction.
• Commitment to environmental stewardship.

Policy and Procedures:

• Adhere to all policies and procedures in the Northwood Employee Handbook and all interim policy or procedure put out by Northwood.
• Must wear all PPE required by Northwood University any deviation can lead to disciplinary action
• Adhere to all MiOSHA general construction guidelines

ABOUT NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY

Northwood University develops free-enterprise leaders who drive global social and economic progress by promoting the importance of free enterprise, ethics, individual freedom, personal responsibility, rule of law, and earned success. Private, nonprofit, accredited, and guided by The Northwood Idea, Northwood University specializes in managerial and entrepreneurial education at a full-service, residential campus located in Midland, Michigan. Northwood Online is offered in multiple states and online for students with transfer credits and work experience who are looking to complete their undergraduate degree. The DeVos Graduate School of Management offers MBA and Master of Science degrees in Finance, Business Analytics, Human Resources, and Organizational Leadership with day, evening, and online delivery options. The Doctor of Business Administration program is delivered online, with a differentiated focus on leadership and business analytics using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

International education is offered through study abroad and at International Program Centers in Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sri Lanka, Ghana, and France. Learn more about America's Free Enterprise University at www.northwood.edu.