Groundskeeper

Furman-University; Travelers Rest (SC); On-site; USD 44,083,000 - 57,859,000; Full time

Job summary

Furman University in South Carolina is seeking a Groundskeeper to maintain campus and athletic grounds, ensuring safety and aesthetic appeal for students, staff, and visitors.

You will perform turf maintenance, landscaping, irrigation, debris removal, and seasonal tasks, using mowers, blowers, and power tools while following safety procedures.

Strong reading of equipment instructions and a valid SC driver's license are required; horticulture experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One to two (1–2) years of experience in groundskeeping, landscaping, or a related field.
• Valid South Carolina driver’s license.
• Ability to read and understand instructions for equipment operation, chemicals, and materials.
• Experience operating grounds maintenance tools and equipment.
• Horticulture degree or equivalent experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Mow, edge, and trim campus lawns using tractor mowers, push mowers, gang mowers, and hand tools.
• Operate weed eaters, edgers, clippers, and backpack blowers.
• Perform aeration, sodding, seeding, fertilizing, and irrigation of turf areas.
• Collect and dispose of litter, fallen limbs, leaves, and debris.
• Apply fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides in accordance with safety standards and regulations.
• Clear overgrown areas using bush hogs or other appropriate equipment.
• Prune and trim shrubs, flowers, and trees using hand tools, power equipment, chainsaws, ladders, or bucket trucks.
• Plant, transplant, and remove flowers, shrubs, and trees using hand tools or heavy equipment.
• Mulch and weed flower beds and landscaped areas.
• Remove tree stumps and unwanted vegetation using stump grinders, backhoes, or other equipment.
• Identify plant disease, pest issues, or safety concerns and report them to supervision.
• Maintain cleanliness of sidewalks, parking lots, roads, and common areas by blowing or vacuuming debris.
• Clean storm drains and drainage systems to prevent blockages.
• Maintain campus lake and surrounding areas by removing debris and assisting with injured wildlife using approved methods and equipment.
• Remove snow and ice from walkways and entrances as needed.
• Clean, inspect, and perform basic maintenance on grounds equipment and vehicles.
• Sharpen blades and check oil, fuel, and filters.
• Assist Irrigation Technician with repairing irrigation systems, including sprinkler heads, valves, pipes, and controllers.
• Follow all safety procedures and proper use of PPE.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, students, and the public.
• Participate in performance reviews and contribute to department and university goals.
• Pursue ongoing professional development related to grounds maintenance and landscaping.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
• Regular interaction with immediate supervisor and work unit to exchange information and coordinate tasks.
• Frequent contact with students, staff, and the general public to provide information and assistance related to campus grounds.
• Performs assigned tasks following established procedures and guidelines.
• Selects appropriate tools and equipment for routine work.
• Completed work is reviewed by the supervisor.

Skills

Groundskeeping

Lawn maintenance

Irrigation

Safety compliance

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Lawn mowers

Tractor mowers

Backpack blowers

Bush hogs

Job description

Job Title: Groundskeeper

Job Family: Service Workers

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full time

Pay Type: Hourly

Department: Athletic Grounds

Job Summary:

The Groundskeeper position is responsible for maintaining the appearance, safety, and functionality of campus and/or athletic grounds. This position performs routine and seasonal landscaping, grounds maintenance, and irrigation work to ensure an attractive and welcoming campus environment for students, staff, and visitors.

Job Description:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Grounds and Turf Maintenance

• Mow, edge, and trim campus lawns using tractor mowers, push mowers, gang mowers, and hand tools.
• Operate weed eaters, edgers, clippers, and backpack blowers.
• Perform aeration, sodding, seeding, fertilizing, and irrigation of turf areas.
• Collect and dispose of litter, fallen limbs, leaves, and debris.
• Apply fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides in accordance with safety standards and regulations.
• Clear overgrown areas using bush hogs or other appropriate equipment.

Landscape, Tree, and Plant Care

• Prune and trim shrubs, flowers, and trees using hand tools, power equipment, chainsaws, ladders, or bucket trucks.
• Plant, transplant, and remove flowers, shrubs, and trees using hand tools or heavy equipment.
• Mulch and weed flower beds and landscaped areas.
• Remove tree stumps and unwanted vegetation using stump grinders, backhoes, or other equipment.
• Identify plant disease, pest issues, or safety concerns and report them to supervision.

Walkways, Parking Lots, and Water Features

• Maintain cleanliness of sidewalks, parking lots, roads, and common areas by blowing or vacuuming debris.
• Clean storm drains and drainage systems to prevent blockages.
• Maintain campus lake and surrounding areas by removing debris and assisting with injured wildlife using approved methods and equipment.
• Remove snow and ice from walkways and entrances as needed.

Equipment and Irrigation Maintenance

• Clean, inspect, and perform basic maintenance on grounds equipment and vehicles.
• Sharpen blades and check oil, fuel, and filters.
• Assist Irrigation Technician with repairing irrigation systems, including sprinkler heads, valves, pipes, and controllers.

Professional Responsibilities

• Follow all safety procedures and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, students, and the public.
• Participate in performance reviews and contribute to department and university goals.
• Pursue ongoing professional development related to grounds maintenance and landscaping.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Relationships and Communication

• Regular interaction with immediate supervisor and work unit to exchange information and coordinate tasks.
• Frequent contact with students, staff, and the general public to provide information and assistance related to campus grounds.

Decision-Making Authority

• Performs assigned tasks following established procedures and guidelines.
• Selects appropriate tools and equipment for routine work.
• Completed work is reviewed by the supervisor.

Education and Experience Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One to two (1–2) years of experience in groundskeeping, landscaping, or a related field.
• Valid South Carolina driver’s license.
• Ability to read and understand instructions for equipment operation, chemicals, and materials.
• Experience operating grounds maintenance tools and equipment.
• Horticulture degree or equivalent experience preferred.

Work Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Work is performed primarily outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Regular exposure to noise, dust, heat, cold, chemicals, and fumes.
• Frequent lifting and carrying of equipment and materials up to 70 pounds.
• Frequent bending, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and walking.
• Regular operation of mowers, tractors, blowers, weed eaters, and hand tools.

On-Call Responsibilities

Groundkeepers may be subject to call-back during emergencies, including downed trees, snow and/or ice removal, or special events on campus.

Reports To: Senior Groundskeeper, Assistant Superintendent of Campus Grounds/Athletic Grounds and Superintendent of Grounds, Horticulture, and Sports Turf

Welcome to Furman University Employment Opportunities! Furman University is a selective private liberal arts and sciences college committed to helping students develop intellectually, personally, and interpersonally and providing the practical skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly-changing world. Furman professors are exceptional teacher-scholars who mentor undergraduate students within a campus community that values and encourages diverse ideas and perspectives. Our strategic vision, The Furman Advantage, promises students an individualized four-year pathway facilitated by team of mentors and infused with a rich and varied set of high impact experiences outside the classroom that include undergraduate research, study away, internships, community-focused learning, and opportunities to engage across differences. Furman University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and adheres to all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination. The University is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment where all individuals represent a multiplicity of identities including gender, race, religion, spiritual belief, sexual orientation, geographic origin, socioeconomic background, ideology, world view, and varied abilities are treated equitably and with respect. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and institutional needs. In keeping with this commitment domestic partners of employees are eligible for comprehensive benefits and faculty/staff affinity groups exist to offer support for faculty/staff that identify as LGBTQIA+ and/or Black/African-American. The Furman student experience is supported by a rich network of centers and institutes that includes The Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, The Riley Institute, The David E. Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities, The Institute for the Advancement of Community Health, The Rinker Center for Study Away and International Education, The Cothran Center for Vocational Reflection, The Furman Humanities Center, The Shucker Center for Leadership Development, The Malone Center for Career Engagement, The Center for Interpersonal Connections, and our newest addition, The Tocqueville Center for the Study of Democracy and Society. Furman is located on traditional Cherokee land in Greenville, South Carolina, a racially and culturally diverse community that is one of the fastest growing cities in the Southeast. It has been ranked among “America’s Ten Best” by Forbes Magazine. Greenville has a thriving downtown, excellent private and public schools and a vibrant international community. A 20-mile bike and running trail connects the university to Greenville and Travelers Rest, which was named “one of America’s coolest small towns.” It is within a short driving distance of Asheville, Charlotte and Atlanta. The Blue Ridge Mountains and Atlantic Beaches are within easy reach.