**INTERNAL ONLY** Landscape Worker Senior

Center for Public Partnerships & Research; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation time

Sick leave

Holidays

Retirement plan

Medical & dental insurance

Life and disability insurance

Discounts

Educational development

Tuition assistance

Job summary

The Landscape Worker Senior at the University of Kansas oversees landscape and grounds care across campus. You will lead crews, prune, plant, and manage ornamental plantings, and operate a range of equipment from mowers to snow blowers.

Requirements include a Kansas pesticide license within 6 months, a valid driver’s license, and at least one year of landscape experience. The role supports a safe, welcoming campus environment and offers comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED is required.
• One year of landscape and/or horticultural work experience.
• Valid driver's license by hire and ongoing.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work outdoors in weather.

Responsibilities

• 60% Horticultural maintenance including pruning, planting, and care.
• 30% Equipment operation of mowers and related gear.
• 5% Coordinate with team and report progress to supervisor.
• 5% Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Driver's license

Physical stamina

Equipment operation

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Mowers

String Trimmers

Snow Blowers

Tractors

Job description

This is an internal search available only to current KU employees*.

Position Overview

The Landscape Worker Senior position is responsible for the operating and maintaining of the University's physical plant and grounds. Work involves planting, cultivating, transplanting and caring for ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers and all other aspects of general landscape and grounds care on campus. Work requires working independently and/or as a lead worker as well as operating work issued vehicles, forklifts, pallet jacks, mowers, string trimmers and other mechanized equipment.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 6:30 AM to 3 PM

Facilities Services within KU Operations plays a vital role in maintaining an inviting and safe campus environment that supports teaching, learning and research. KU Operations supports KU’s mission of learning, scholarship, and creative endeavor by providing the visible and behind-the-scenes services that make possible the university’s academic and research missions.

Benefits

• up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year
• 96 hours of sick leave earned per year
• nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day
• a retirement program
• medical & dental insurance
• life and disability insurance
• other benefit plan options
• State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors
• educational and professional development opportunities
• Tuition assistance offers up to 12 credit hours per year for employees and Employee Dependent Tuition Assistance Scholarship (EDTAS) award opportunities!

Details available at: https://humanresources.ku.edu/tuition-assistance

KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard, and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

KU is not able to provide immigration sponsorship for this position.

Job Description

• 60% Horticultural maintenance: Prunes and trims plantings to acquire desired effect, to remove diseased or dead parts, to contain size of plantings, etc. Acts as lead worker with crews in planting, maintaining and treating lawns, flower beds and other horticultural plantings. Uses chemical treatments on plantings for pest and disease control as instructed. Inspects areas to determine the need for work to be done and directs efforts accordingly.
• 30% Equipment Operation: Operates small to medium sized equipment such as mowers, string trimmers, snow blowers, tractors, trucks, and other equipment used in landscape operations and snow removal.
• 5%: Coordinates work with Landscape Technicians and other crew members and keeps supervisor informed about work in progress. Performs equipment maintenance on sprayer units, irrigation systems and other horticultural equipment.
• 5%: Performs other work as assigned.

Position Requirements

• Kansas Pesticide license and certification obtained within the first 6 months of employment.
• Reach, grasp, lift, carry, and place moderately heavy loads frequently, and heavy loads occasionally (50 lbs) with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Work in temperature extremes, both hot and cold - typically outdoors.
• Work overtime and respond to after-hours emergencies as necessary.
• Report to work during declared periods of inclement weather.
• Must enter work order information digitally.

Required Qualifications

• High School diploma or completion of G.E.D. equivalency.
• One (1) year of experience in landscape and/or horticultural work.
• Must have a valid driver’s license by the time of hire and throughout the term of employment.
• Previous experience that required the use of computer or handheld devices to communicate & perform work activities as evidenced by application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the methods, practices, techniques and tools used in the planting and care of common Midwestern turf care, trees, shrubs, grasses and other ornamental plants as evidenced by application materials.
• Knowledge of the hazards and safety precautions of working with power tools and equipment in the landscape and grounds care trade as evidenced by application materials.
• Knowledge of the methods, practices, techniques and tools needed to correctly identify, control and prevent plant diseases and insects as evidenced by application materials.
• Experience working in a college, university or multi-building campus setting.
• Possession of Kansas Pesticide license at the time of hire.

Additional Candidate Instructions

• Current contact information including email and phone number
• Previous work experience including dates of employment
• Name and contact information to three references

Resume/Cover letter is optional.

Application review begins Monday, October 19, 2026. For consideration, please apply no later than Sunday, October 18th.

Contact Information to Applicants

Joe Fearn

[e-mail]

Advertised Salary Range

Starting at $40,000

Application Review Begins

Monday October 19, 2026

Anticipated Start Date

Monday November 16, 2026