Groundskeeper III

Delta State University; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Delta State University is seeking a Grounds Maintenance Specialist to keep the campus grounds, athletic fields, and golf course in top condition. The role involves operating tractors and mowers, assisting with training of crew members, and performing routine landscape tasks across campus.

Responsibilities include maintaining lawns, planting areas, irrigation work, and applying fertilizers and pesticides as needed, while ensuring safety and adherence to DSU standards in all weather and outdoor

Qualifications

• Must read, write, speak and understand written and oral instructions.
• Must have a High School diploma or GED.
• Must have a valid US driver’s license and be insurable.
• Able to lift at least 80 pounds, climb ladders, and work outdoors in various weather.

Responsibilities

• Operate grounds maintenance equipment across campus areas.
• Assist with training and oversight of crew members.
• Maintain lawns, pruning, planting beds, and irrigation areas as needed.
• Patches holes, paints striping, and keeps grounds up to DSU standards.
• Apply fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides where appropriate.
• Ensure safety and cleanliness of campus grounds and exterior areas.

Skills

Lawn maintenance

Equipment operation

Team oversight

Reading/writing instructions

Safety awareness

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Tractors

Skid steer

Commercial mowers

Zero-turn mowers

Reel mowers

Aerial lifts

Power washers

Pesticide sprayers

Job description

The incumbent operates various power equipment used in the maintenance of campus grounds, gardens, sports fields, golf course, and to assure the upkeep of the University. Assist with training and oversight of other crew members in the completion of assigned maintenance duties. Picks up trash and debris from University grounds, parking areas, walks, streets, sports fields, ditches, culverts, and catch basins. Collects and removes debris and trash from campus and disposes of such through approved methods. Cuts lawns, trims and edges around walks, curbs, planting beds, and walls using appropriate grounds maintenance tools. Plants new landscape areas and renovates existing areas according to pre-approved plans. Waters lawns and plant materials, applies fertilizers. Sprays herbicides and pesticides mechanical and power sprayers. Rakes and removes leaves; cleans drainage ditches, culverts, and catch basins. Cleans building exteriors, entrances, and campus pavement areas using brooms, sweepers, power washers, and blowers/vacuums. Sweeps and cleans streets; removes snow, ice, and debris from streets and walks as required. Prunes shrubs, ground cover, ornamental grasses, and trees. Assists the Grounds Supervisor with modification and repair of irrigation PVC pipe and sprinkler heads. Patches holes in asphalt parking and driveways. Marks sports fields, paints parking striping and crosswalks. Maintains the grounds, athletic fields, and golf course in acceptable manner according to DSU and industry standards.

Qualifications

Ability to read, write, speak, and execute written and oral instructions. Ability to effectively maintain the University grounds and landscape with minimal oversight. Ability to operate maintenance and construction equipment including various types of tractors, skid loader, commercial mowers including zero-turn mowers, reel mowers, aerial lifts, line trimmers, edgers, blowers, tillers, street sweeper, roller/packer, verticutter, power washers, pesticide sprayers including power spraying equipment with booms, pruning equipment including chain saws and power pruners, paint striping machine, plate compactor, as well as typical maintenance hand tools. Ability to operate fertilizer spreader and golf/utility carts. Ability to back lap and adjust reel mowers. Ability to safety operate trucks and vans with trailers in tow and navigate safely through campus streets and narrow driveways. Must be able to lift a minimum of 80 pounds, climb ladders, work in tight spaces including trenches, and work outdoors in temperature and weather extremes.

Salary Commensurate with experience and qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Must be able to read, write, speak and understand oral and written instructions. Must have a High School degree or GED . Must have a valid US driver’s license and be insurable under DSU insurance carrier.

Preferred Qualifications

A minimum of 18 months of directly related grounds maintenance experience is preferred.

Additional Information

Open Date

07/27/2023

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
  • DSU Employee
  • DSU Job Website
  • Invited by Department to Apply
  • MS State Employment Service
  • Diverse Issues
  • Indeed.com
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
  • Diverse Issues
  • Other
• Do you have a high school degree or GED?
  • yes
  • no
• * Do you have a valid, current driver's license?
  • yes
  • no
• * How much experience do you have with lawn maintenance?
  • less than six months
  • less than one year
  • more than one year
• * Will you now or in the future require "sponsorship" for an employment based visa status?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Documents

• Resume

Delta State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Delta State University is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment free from sexual and gender-based discrimination or harassment. Our goal is for all to have equal access to the many great services and opportunities we offer. For more information, or to report an incident, see https://www.deltastate.edu/titleix/ or email [e-mail] .