Laborer

Northwood; Midland, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 27,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwood University seeks a General Laborer to support campus moves, event setups, equipment transport, and basic maintenance across Facilities Management. The role helps create a clean, safe, and functional campus environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Strong time management, problem-solving, and communication are essential, plus a valid MI driver’s license. Responsibilities include assisting with relocations, setting up events, performing grounds tasks, and handling routine

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Michigan driver’s license.
• Ability to pass a physician-certified health assessment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with campus moves, furniture, and equipment support.
• Set up and takedown for University events and activities.
• Perform grounds maintenance tasks including debris pickup, mowing, and pruning.
• Transport supplies and operate University vehicles safely.
• Respond to work orders and maintain clean, safe facilities.

Skills

Time management

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma

Job description

The General Laborer provides a variety of support services to the University’s groundskeeping, maintenance, and operations teams. This position assists with campus moves, event setups, equipment and supply transport, and basic maintenance tasks. The General Laborer plays an essential role in ensuring smooth daily campus operations and in creating clean, safe, and functional environments for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

• Campus Moves, Furniture, and Equipment Support
  1. Assist with moving furniture, office equipment, and supplies for relocations, remodels, and departmental changes.
  2. Install, rearrange, disassemble, and reassemble office furniture as required.
  3. Transport materials across campus using carts, dollies, and University vehicles.
  4. Organize storage rooms and inventory areas to maintain cleanliness and optimize space.
• Event Setup and Takedown
  1. Set up tables, chairs, staging, outdoor tents, podiums, signs, and other equipment for University events, conferences, ceremonies, and athletic activities.
  2. Prepare outdoor areas for campus events, including placing signage, banner installs/takedown, setting up barricades, aligning seating, or assisting with decorations.
  3. Remove and store event equipment promptly following events to ensure campus readiness.
• Grounds and General Maintenance Assistance
  1. Assist groundskeepers with routine tasks such as debris pickup, mowing, mulching, raking, and watering.
  2. Perform trimming/pruning of trees, bushes and brush.
  3. Planting assortment of plants as required.
  4. Participate in seasonal work such as leaf collection, snow removal, and ice mitigation.
  5. Fix, repair, and adjust all campus sprinkler systems as assigned.
  6. Daily pick up of parking lot trash, trash campus wide and trash cans, stone Crete areas as needed.
  7. Support maintenance staff with basic tasks including delivering parts, assisting on light repairs, and performing manual labor assignments.
  8. Patch blacktop areas.
  9. Paint light posts, parking lot painting and repair and other painting as assigned.
  10. Assist maintenance technicians with basic building repairs: replacing bulbs, ceiling tiles, air filters, and fixtures.
  11. Preventative maintenance procedures include bleacher repair and stadium sealing, fence and post repair, sidewalk and concrete sealing and repair, power washing all brick and cement as needed, roof repairs, gutter cleaning, and drain cleaning of all roofs.
  12. Perform minor plumbing and electrical tasks under supervision.
  13. Complete basic carpentry projects: shelving installation, trim repair, drywall patching, and painting.
  14. Support preventative maintenance by cleaning mechanical rooms, lubricating equipment, and reporting deficiencies.
• Campus Support and Logistics
  1. Perform campus deliveries of supplies, packages, and equipment as directed.
  2. Maintain work areas, storage rooms, and equipment in clean and organized condition.
  3. Respond to work orders and service requests in a timely and professional manner.
  4. Operate University vehicles and equipment safely and responsibly.
• Other Duties
  1. Assist with emergency response efforts, including weather events or urgent facility needs.
  2. Support special projects and general operations across Facilities Management.
  3. Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the effective functioning of campus facilities and services.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Michigan driver’s license.
• Strong time-management, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to pass a physician-certified health assessment.

Physical & Environmental

Lift and carry up to 80 pounds regularly. Work in outdoor conditions year-round (heat, cold, rain, snow). Tolerate exposure to chemicals, fertilizers, noise, and dust. Perform tasks requiring standing, walking, kneeling, and bending for extended periods.

• Complete assigned tasks within established timelines.
• Maintain compliance with MiOSHA safety standards and University policies.
• Demonstrate initiative and accountability when working independently.
• Uphold professional conduct when interacting with students, faculty, and visitors.
• Be proficient in operating hand tools and power equipment safely.
• Use knowledge of horticultural practices and basic building systems.
• Read diagrams, safety plans, and MSDS sheets.

ABOUT NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY

Northwood University develops free-enterprise leaders who drive global social and economic progress by promoting the importance of free enterprise, ethics, individual freedom, personal responsibility, rule of law, and earned success. Private, nonprofit, accredited, and guided by The Northwood Idea, Northwood University specializes in managerial and entrepreneurial education at a full-service, residential campus located in Midland, Michigan. Northwood Online is offered in multiple states and online for students with transfer credits and work experience who are looking to complete their undergraduate degree. The DeVos Graduate School of Management offers MBA and Master of Science degrees in Finance, Business Analytics, Human Resources, and Organizational Leadership with day, evening, and online delivery options. The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program is delivered online, with a differentiated focus on leadership and business analytics using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

International education is offered through study abroad and at International Program Centers in Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sri Lanka, Ghana, and France. Learn more about America's Free Enterprise University at www.northwood.edu.