Groundsworker

Oakton College; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Oakton College in Des Plaines, IL is seeking a skilled Groundskeeper to maintain athletic fields and campus landscapes throughout the year. Responsibilities include cutting lawns, planting and trimming shrubs, and keeping sidewalks and parking areas in good repair.

The role requires at least two years of groundskeeping experience and the ability to operate a range of landscaping tools and equipment, with a focus on safety and efficiency.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Two years landscaping groundskeeping and athletic fields experience.
• Ability to operate various power equipment including mowers, trimmers, leaf blowers.
• General computer knowledge and ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Excellent time management and communication skills, with ability to work with diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Maintain athletic fields, lawns, flower beds, shrubs and trees.
• Repair and maintain sidewalks, roads and parking lots.
• Maintain water and sanitary lines, storm sewers and drainage structures.
• Perform snow removal and apply salt or deicers as directed.
• Operate power equipment such as loaders, snowblowers, mowers and chain saws.
• Assist with groundskeeping tasks and follow supervisor directions.

Skills

Power equipment operation

Hand tools

Time management

Verbal and written communication

Interpersonal skills

General computer knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Illinois CDL Class B license (preferred)

Tools

Illinois State Public Applicator/Operator License

Ornamental and Turf License

Commercial Driver's License (Class B)

Job description

About Oakton College :

Educate. Empower. Transform

At Oakton College, we know education changes lives - and thatstarts with the people who make it happen. For more than 50 years,we've built a welcoming and inclusive community where students fromall backgrounds and experiences thrive.

We're looking for passionate educators, professionals and leaders to join our team. Whether in the classroom, student support, or behind the scenes, your talents and expertise will make a difference and shape the future.

We provide dynamic learning environments that empower students and employees alike with campuses in Des Plaines and Skokie and a Health Careers Education Center in Evanston.

As a proud institution accredited by the Higher LearningCommission, Oakton is more than a college - it's a place where innovation, equity and lifelong learning drive everything we do. We value diverse perspectives and embrace new ideas and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and student-centered culture.

Job Description:

Basic Function and Responsibility:

Under general supervision, perform tasks involved in maintaining athletic fields, grounds, lawns, flower beds, shrubs and trees, sidewalks, parking lots, roads and storm sewers and drainage structures, and snow removal.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform routine tasks in maintaining lawns and grounds,including seeding, fertilizing, mowing, watering and weed control,install, plant, spray and maintain flower beds.
• Plant, fertilize, spray and prune shrubs and trees.
• Maintain and repair sidewalks, roads and parking lots.
• Maintain and repair water and sanitary lines, storm sewers,drainage structures and manholes and drain lines.
• Perform tasks in snow removal including use of snowplow, UTV or tractor to remove snow and add ice control by using salt or liquiddeicers. Perform leaf raking, tree cutting, grass cutting and stumpremoval. Cut, remove and perform tree controlled burning asneeded.
• Applies fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides asdirected.
• Preform daily campus litter and garbage can pick up.
• Operate job related power equipment such as end loader, snowblower, air compressor and air hammer, mowers, painter, chain saw,and other power equipment.
• Perform other general maintenance tasks as may be assigned bySupervisor or Director of Facilities.
• Perform Athletic fields maintenance, repair and striping.
• Perform Sprinkler system repair and maintenance.
• Preform other job-related duties as assigned.

Supervision Received:

Administrative supervision is received from the GroundsSupervisor.

Supervision Exercised:

None. Functional supervision may be exercised over studentemployees.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• High school education or an equivalent combination of educationand experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can beacquired.
• Two years of landscaping groundskeeping and athletic fieldsexperience.
• Illinois State Public Applicator or Operator License and /or Ornametal and Turf license must be obtained in 6 months ofemployment.
• Ability to operate various types of power equipment includinglawnmowers, trimmers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, and other landscaping equipment.
• Ability to use hand tools required for landscaping.
• Ability to follow instructions and complete assignments.
• Extensive knowledge of landscaping techniques and processes.Excellent time management skills. Verbal and written communicationskills. Ability to give and follow directions and to follow writtenand oral instructions.
• General computer knowledge is required.
• Ability to interact professionally and tactfully with people ofdifferent levels of education, cultural backgrounds, and lifeexperiences, and to exhibit an adequate level of respect to fellowemployees and the College community at large.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Illinois State Commercial Driver's License. Class B with AirBrake Endorsement is preferred. College sponsorship for earningClass B is available.

Physical Demands:

Position requires employees to have:

• The ability to stand, walk and move for extended periods oftime (75% - 100%).
• The ability to bend, twist, stoop, kneel, crawl, push, pull,and reach in all directions (75% - 100%).
• The ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. (75% - 100%).
• The ability to perform moderate to strenuous physical labor forextended periods of time. (75% - 100%)
• The ability to set up and operate mechanical equipment (75% to100%).
• The ability to work at heights and the ability toascend/descend ladders. (25% - 50%).
• Require the use of radio communication. Employees on theseshifts, using these devices, are required to have the ability tohear and exchange information clearly.

Working Conditions:

Job duties may be performed in hot, cold, dusty, dirtyenvironments. Employees may be exposed to fumes or airborneparticles, toxic or caustic chemicals and outside weatherconditions.

Additional Information:

Salary: The hourly salary of this position is $25.24 which equatesto $50,846 annualized based on Oakton's summer hours schedule

HOURS: Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 3:30 pm (hours may vary due to theneeds of the College.

Equal Opportunity Employer