Groundskeeper

The University of Mississippi; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team at a leading public research institution, where you'll play a vital role in maintaining beautiful grounds and landscapes. This position offers the chance to work outdoors, operating various equipment and performing essential landscaping tasks. You'll be responsible for ensuring that campus areas are clean, safe, and welcoming for students and staff alike. If you have a passion for nature and enjoy physical work, this is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a vibrant community while growing your skills in groundskeeping. Embrace the chance to make a difference in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• High School education or equivalent is required.
• Valid driver's license and Class D within six months.

Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining lawns, planting beds, and general landscaping.
• Operate various grounds maintenance equipment and tools.
• Ensure cleanliness of roadways, parking lots, and walkways.

Skills

Lawn Maintenance

Landscaping

Equipment Operation

Trash Collection

Plant Care

Education

High School or Equivalent

Tools

Power Mower

Tractors

Hand Tools

Power Equipment

Job description

Note for Current UM Employees

Current employees must apply internally via ConnectU >connectu.olemiss.edu

The University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi — fondly referred to as Ole Miss — stands as a premier public research institution with a proud legacy of academic distinction. We are devoted to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community where every member — student, faculty, and staff — can achieve their fullest potential.

Department Summary

The University of Mississippi Facilities Management Department strives to provide an environment where you can flourish and grow. At Ole Miss, we value safety, customer service excellence, teamwork, innovation, integrity, and respect. We strive to foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. Our department is a dynamic and integral part of the University, and we believe in investing in our employees' growth and development.

Role Specifications

Below you will find classification and compensation information. For additional details behind the University of Mississippi classification system please visit Human Resource Compensation Page.

Family -Facilities Operations

Sub-Family -Groundskeeping

Career Track / Level -O1

Grade -1

Min Mid Max $14.00 $17.50 $21.00

Role Summary

Assists in maintaining lawns, planting beds, and general landscaping; ensures that roadways, parking lots, and walkways are clear in order to meet institution's groundskeeping standards. The incumbent performs routine grounds maintenance and tasks of an unskilled or semi-skilled nature.

Examples of Work Performed

1. Cuts lawns using power mower.
2. Operates trucks, tractors, carts, power equipment and hand tools, as required.
3. Cleans, services, and reports equipment malfunctions on all equipment used in grounds maintenance such as mowers, tractor/trailers, high-lift fork trucks, wood chippers and other hand/power tools.
4. Monitors and participates in gathering and removing trash from campus grounds, streets and walks.
5. Maintains UM standards on landscaping beds by planting, weeding; trimming; edging; mulching spraying, fertilizing and using herbicides.
6. Trims and edges around walks, flowerbeds and walls using clippers and edging tools.
7. Prunes shrubs and hedges using power tools and hand tools to shape and improve growth to meet UM standards.
8. Rakes, blows, mulches and removes leaves; replaces mulch; cleans drainage ditches and culverts and hauls debris to dumping area.
9. Waters lawns and shrubs during dry periods using hose or by activating fixed or portable sprinkler system.
10. Sprays lawns, shrubs and trees with fertilizer or insecticides.
11. Sweeps and cleans streets; removes snow, ice and debris from streets and walks as required.
12. Provides guidance to student or temporary employees regarding work duties.

Essential Functions

These essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following. Additional essential functions may be identified and included by the hiring department.

1. Installs and maintains the health of new and existing plants and landscape using a variety of vehicles and equipment.
2. Maintains clean and clear lawns, walkways, roadways, and parking lots to ensure they are free of debris, litter, snow, and ice.
3. Assists with landscaping projects.
4. Assists in campus waste collection and football gameday clean up.

Minimum Education/Experience

Education: High School or Equivalent

Licensure: Incumbents must possess a valid driver’s license and obtain a Class D Driver’s License within the first six months of employment.

Substitution Statement: An equivalent combination of related experience and education may be considered for this role. Substitutions of the required experience or education will be assessed on a 1:1 substitution basis.

EEO Statement

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.

Minimum Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements: These physical requirements are not exhaustive, and additional job-related physical requirements may be added to these by individual agencies on an as needed basis. Corrective devices may be used to meet physical requirements.

Physical Exertion: The incumbent may be required to lift up to approximately 50 pounds.

Vision: Requirements of this job include close vision. Speaking/Hearing: Ability to give and receive information through speaking and listening.

Motor Coordination: While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently required to talk and hear; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The incumbent is periodically required to sit. The incumbent is occasionally required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms.

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

Background Check Statement

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.