Groundskeeper I

Rochester Institute of Technology; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 23,281 - 29,136; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Sick and vacation time

Twelve paid holidays per year

Retirement and financial planning resources

Educational benefits for employees and dependents

Employee wellness program

Free use of on‑site fitness facilities

Job summary

Rochester Institute of Technology is seeking a Grounds Maintenance worker to perform various tasks including maintaining landscapes, operating equipment, and ensuring safety on campus grounds. This entry-level role requires a high school diploma or GED and one year of relevant experience. The position offers a pay range of $16.90–$21.15 per hour, along with excellent benefits like health coverage and paid holidays.

The successful candidate will work on a campus spanning approximately 1,300 acres, supporting RIT's commitment to a high-quality campus environment and community.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• One year of relevant experience preferred.
• Equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Perform grounds maintenance activities including mowing and planting.
• Maintain hard surfaces like sidewalks and parking lots.
• Remove snow and ice from assigned areas.
• Operate a variety of groundskeeping tools and equipment.

Skills

Grounds landscape and hardscape maintenance

Horticulture practices

Operating groundskeeping tools and machinery safely

Reading landscaping plans and work orders

Maintaining attractive grounds

Personal protective equipment selection

Education

High school diploma or GED

One year of relevant experience

Job description

Responsibilities

• Perform grounds maintenance activities including cultivating, planting, watering, aerating, weeding, mulching, trimming, grubbing, removing thatch, trimming/edging, mowing and/or pruning. Care for lawn, gardens, shrubs, flowers, flower beds, trees and walkways.
• Remove litter from grounds by emptying trash containers, sweeping doorways, steps and fire exits, removing signage/posters and graffiti, and properly disposing of dead animals, bodily fluids, etc.
• Maintain hard surface areas including sidewalks, concrete pavers, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters and other outdoor structures and amenities.
• Perform removal of snow and ice from assigned areas such as roads, walkways, parking lots, and stairs using hand and power snow removal equipment; spread salt, sand and deicers to prevent slipping.
• Operate a variety of hand and power tools, equipment, snow plows and tractors; clean and maintain equipment as needed.
• Provide support for special events throughout campus, delivering signage, grills and barricades.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of grounds landscape and hardscape maintenance.
• Knowledge of horticulture practices.
• Skill in operating a variety of groundskeeping tools and machinery efficiently and safely.
• Skill in reading and interpreting landscaping plans and work orders.
• Ability to maintain grounds and landscaped areas in an attractive, safe and functional condition.
• Ability to select and use appropriate personal protective equipment for tasks performed and conditions encountered.

Minimum Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED.
• One year of relevant experience.
• Equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered.

Job Level Overview

Operations, Administrative, Service or Technical Support Level 1 – an entry‑level role building knowledge and skills. Performs routine, well‑defined tasks that can be learned in a short period of time under close supervision.

About Facilities Management Services (FMS) & Grounds

FMS supports the RIT community by designing, constructing, operating and maintaining a high‑quality, cost‑effective campus environment. The FMS Grounds team maintains the exterior campus, approximately 1,300 acres of land, 32 miles of roads and walkways and 48 acres of parking lots.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage.
• Sick and vacation time.
• Twelve paid holidays per year.
• Retirement and financial planning resources.
• Educational benefits for employees and dependents.
• Employee wellness program.
• Free use of on‑site fitness facilities.

Schedule

Work hours may fall between Sunday and Saturday, 6:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m., based on departmental needs. The position is essential personnel during the winter months and requires flexibility, including call‑ins, weekends, holidays, emergencies and non‑standard work hours.

Driver's License Requirements

A pre‑employment motor vehicle record (MVR) check is required in accordance with RIT's Vehicle and Driver Safety Procedures.

FLSA Category

Non‑Exempt.

Work Location

On campus.

Compensation

$16.90–$21.15 per hour.

Application Materials

Curriculum vitae or résumé. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

Equal Opportunity Employer

RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law or similar applicable law.