Groundskeeper II

University of Northern Iowa; Cedar Falls (IA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Northern Iowa is hiring a grounds technician to care for turf areas, plant trees, shrubs, and flower beds, and to apply chemicals as directed. The role includes operating and maintaining grounds equipment and supervising student workers, with a Monday–Friday schedule from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.

The position requires two years of relevant experience, completion of commercial pesticide certifications (3OT Ornamental and Turf), and a Class B CDL or the ability to obtain one within 90

Qualifications

• Two years of experience operating grounds maintenance machinery.
• Must have completed commercial certification tests (3OT-Ornamental and Turf) for pesticide application.
• CDL Class B license or ability to obtain within 90 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Care for and maintain turf areas, plant trees, shrubs and flower bed areas as directed.
• Operate and maintain equipment to maintain landscape and grounds; remove and haul snow from streets, parking lots, sidewalks, steps and entrances.
• Provide functional supervision to student employees as necessary.
• Perform other related duties to maintain landscape and grounds.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Lawn care

Tools

Grounds equipment

Job description

If you are a current University of Northern Iowa employee and would like to apply for this position, login to UNI Works and type “Find Jobs” in the search bar to view and apply for open positions.Full Consideration Date:9/3/2026Job Description:Under general supervision, cares for and maintains turf areas; plants trees, shrubs and flower bed areas and applies chemicals to same as directed; operates and maintains equipment and performs other labor as necessary to maintain landscape and grounds; operates equipment to remove and haul snow from streets, parking lots, sidewalks, steps and entrances; provides functional supervision to student employees as necessary; and performs other related duties.Minimum Eligibility Requirements:Two years of experience operating the machinery and tools used in grounds work, or any combination of related experience and education from which comparable knowledge and ability can be acquired which totals two years; must have successfully completed commercial certification tests (3OT-Ornamental and Turf) for application of pesticides and eligible to be certified; may be required to successfully complete other commercial certification tests as required; and possession of a valid Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or the ability to obtain within 90 days of employment.Position Details:Job Category: MeritType of Position: RegularService Schedule: Calendar YearWork Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pmShift: First ShiftPay Grade: 8 (advanced start step of 4)Starting Hourly Rate: $21.77Application Instructions:All application materials received by September 3, 2026, will be given full consideration. To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. A resume and cover letter are not required for this position but can be attached when applying. If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [e-mail] or call 319-273-2422.Iowa's cost of living is among the lowest in the nation and the Common Sense Institute ranks Iowa #1 for paycheck stretch. UNI enhances this advantage with an excellent benefits package for eligible non-temporary positions. Visit our Compensation Tools page to explore your estimated total compensation, compare Waterloo-Cedar Falls cost of living to other major cities or review the paycheck stretch ranking details. Learn more about the Cedar Valley at https://livethevalley.com/.If you would like general assistance with the application process or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact Human Resource Services at [e-mail] or call [phone].All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.UNI is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any status protected by federal and/or state law.Campus Security & Crime Statistics, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, information on crime statistics for recent years, Public Safety personnel and programs, building access, reporting crimes, safety suggestions, and policies, programs, and services regarding alcohol, drugs, and sexual abuse, is available in the UNI Annual Security and Fire Report. A paper copy is available from the Department of Public Safety, 030 Gilchrist Hall, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614. Department of Public Safety, 030 Gilchrist Hall, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614.Welcome MessageThe University of Northern Iowa is hiring!Our continued success depends on hiring the most talented people we can. Please explore our current open positions and apply to those you feel best suit you, track your progress in the selection process, and continue to view new postings that may be of interest to you.Thank you for your interest in employment at UNI!About UsThe University of Northern Iowa provides a high-quality and diverse educational experience, purposefully guiding students to find and develop their strengths and prepare them for success after college. The university's attractive size, approximately 9,200 students, allows UNI to offer faculty, facilities and academic choices characteristic of a much larger university while retaining a friendly, small-college atmosphere on a park-like campus. UNI has been consistently recognized as one of the "Best Midwest Universities" by U.S. News & World Report. Located in Cedar Falls/Waterloo, the campus is comprised of more than 40 buildings on 940 acres.Designated as a Best Place for Working Parents, UNI supports all individuals through family-friendly policies, practices and benefits. The University provides a comprehensive benefits package, enabling us to be highly competitive within the Cedar Valley and across the state.