Groundskeeper II

University of Missouri - Columbia; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Missouri - Columbia is seeking a Groundskeeper II to maintain MU campus landscapes and grounds within Landscape Services. The role involves planting, pruning, irrigation, and material maintenance to keep MU’s Botanic Garden vibrant and healthy.

The position requires knowledge of groundskeeping methods, ability to lift heavy objects, and a Missouri driver’s license. Workdays are Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with snow removal on call.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; necessary to acquire comparable knowledge and abilities.
• Ability to grasp, lift, carry and set down heavy objects (50-75 lbs.).
• Shovel snow, climb ladders and operate heavy power equipment.

Responsibilities

• Plant, transplant and cultivate trees, shrubs and flowers; determine water requirements and irrigate as necessary.
• Prune trees, shrubs and flowers according to horticultural practices to maintain plant health.
• Identify weeds, insects and diseases; mix and apply pesticides safely according to label.

Skills

Heavy lifting (50-75 lbs)

Snow shoveling

Operate heavy power equipment

Valid Missouri driver’s license

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Hiring Department

Landscape Services

Job Description

At Landscape Services, we take pride in shaping the natural beautyof MU’s campus, transforming it into the Mizzou Botanic Garden—avibrant, inspiring environment for students, faculty, and visitorsalike. Our dedicated team of arborists, designers, and gardenerswork together to cultivate and maintain the stunning landscapesthat make MU not just a place of learning, but a place to thrive.From preserving mature trees to creating exciting new gardendesigns, we are committed to making the campus a dynamic andenjoyable space for everyone.

Nature and Level of Work

Maintain and install campus landscapes and grounds. Work differsfrom similar classifications in that a higher degree of knowledgein grounds keeping and landscaping methods must be applied toprimary assignments. Review is accomplished through observation ofresults with particular emphasis on accuracy, efficiency,appearance and conformance with instructions. Functional contactsinclude co-workers, other service department employees and otherUniversity staff and students.

Key Responsibilities

• Plant, transplant and cultivate trees, shrubs and flowers;determine water requirements of plants and turf, irrigate asnecessary.
• Prune trees, shrubs and flowers according to standardhorticultural practices as necessary to maintain good planthealth.
• Identify weeds, insects and diseases; mix and apply pesticidessafely, according to label instructions and as directed.
• Apply fertilizers and calibrate application equipment.
• Build stone or tie walls and plant beds; repair landscapeirrigation systems.
• Perform general grounds maintenance duties: remove leaves, mowgrass, aerate turf, weed beds, sow grass seed and lay sod.
• Perform hand grading, excavating and shovel work. Remove snowfrom streets and sidewalks.
• Will be on call for snow removal.
• May operate tractors, trucks, lawn mowers, chain saws andmiscellaneous equipment.
• Perform maintenance on grounds keeping equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Shift

7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Monday through Friday

Minimum Qualifications

• A job offer for this position is contingent on passing a physicalexamination to determine if the candidate possesses the physicalcapabilities necessary to perform the essential functions.
• High school diploma or an equivalent combination of education andexperience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can beacquired is necessary.
• Knowledge of tools, methods and materials used in groundsmaintenance and landscape construction.
• Ability on a daily basis to:
  • Grasp, lift, carry and set down heavy objects (50-75 lbs.)
  • Shovel snow, climb ladders and operate heavy powerequipment
• A valid Missouri driver’s license is required.
• Missouri Certified Public Operators Pesticide License or theability to obtain within six months after employment isrequired.

Preferred Qualifications

Two Years of experience in grounds maintenance, landscapeconstruction, or related area. A valid driver’s license which will allow the legal operation of amotor vehicle in the State of Missouri is required

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $17.00 - $17.90 per hour Grade: GGS-C University Title: Groundskeeper II Internal applicants can determine their University title byaccessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for thisposition.

Other Information

The internal union bid period for this position ended on 8/26.

Union Bid Period: 8/20/2026 - 8/26/2026

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of yourtotal compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefitspackage, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement,paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parentalleave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for allfour UM System campuses. For additional information on Universitybenefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website athttps://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director ofAccessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.

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