Landscape Crew Member

GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401K savings plan

Paid time off for volunteering

Tuition Discount Program for employees and family

Job summary

GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY seeks a Grounds Maintenance team member responsible for maintaining clean and beautiful outdoor spaces on campus. This role involves operating landscaping equipment, performing seasonal duties, and ensuring the upkeep of various green areas.

Candidates should have a high school diploma and previous grounds maintenance experience, along with a strong work ethic and the ability to work in physically demanding conditions. Competitive benefits include health insurance and a tuition discount program.

Qualifications

• Ability to operate landscaping equipment and tools appropriately.
• Knowledge of fertilizers and herbicides used in grounds care.
• Ability to perform heavy physical labor under extreme temperatures.

Responsibilities

• Perform seasonal grounds duties including operating machinery.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and beauty on campus grounds.
• Assist with irrigation activities and planting of various species.

Skills

Knowledge of equipment and tools

Customer service orientation

Reliable and self-motivated

Basic arithmetic skills for mixing chemicals

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Previous commercial grounds maintenance experience

Tools

Power tools (trimmers, blowers)

Landscaping vehicles (Gators, trucks)

Job description

Overview

Grand Canyon University! One of Arizona’s leading institutions of higher learning. Located in the Valley of Sun in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, GCU is an institutionally accredited, private, nondenominational Christian University. Join a dedicated Landscaping team that takes pride in keeping our campus beautiful and inviting. Our team works together to maintain safe, attractive outdoor spaces while supporting the overall campus experience. GCU’s Christian worldview has shaped the university’s mission and growth for more than 65 years. As a Christ-centered higher education institution, GCU integrates faith, learning and work to connect the GCU community with distinct Christian principles and strong central values.

Responsibilities

What you will do: Performs seasonal grounds duties as directed.

• Operates mowing, portable blowers/vacuums, and lawn trimming equipment with related implements, chain saws, brushing saws, chipper and numerous hand tools.
• Maintains high standards of beautification and cleanliness and inspects grounds for needed maintenance, picks up and disposes of any accumulated debris, removes and repairs graffiti, ensures seating areas and public gathering spots are in good condition, cleans drains, gutters and troughs.
• Plants, trims and prunes shrubs, bushes, hedges, trees, ground cover, cacti, flowers, turf, etc.; may water trees, shrubs, flowers and lawns and perform irrigation activities.
• Assists in the maintenance of parking lots and other surfaces, including asphalt repairs and minor masonry or plastering work as required.
• Loads or unloads dirt, timber, pavements, sand, gravel and related landscaping materials by hand.
• Operates landscaping vehicles including Gators, pick‑up trucks, flat‑rack trucks, vans, golf carts or other motorized vehicles as needed for hauling purposes and/or trash and debris removal.
• Removes weeds by various means including by hand and tool or uses unrestricted herbicides and pesticides.
• Places fertilizer, mulch or gravel where needed and directed and ensures soil is kept in good condition.
• Digs up and/or transplants, replaces/plants various species of vegetation, plants, flowering plants, bushes, hedges, ground cover, trees and the like according to specifications or as directed.
• May perform repair and rehabilitation of stone walls, pavements, paved stone, etc.
• May dig ditches by hand, using hand tools to accommodate various needs such as irrigation, pipes, electrical, etc. as related to landscaping.
• May use power wash equipment.
• Installs and removes outdoor signs, parking and traffic control barriers and overhead banners as required.
• Ensures hand tools are kept clean and in good condition.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Qualifications

• Knowledgeable in the proper operation of equipment and tools.
• Knowledge of fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides used in grounds care and gardening.
• Skill in operating grounds maintenance equipment.
• Customer service oriented.
• Knowledge of horticulture or agronomy is helpful but not required.
• Reliable, dependable and self‑motivated with an interest in landscaping and plants preferred.
• Must be able to work harmoniously with a team of landscape workers.
• Must be able to perform heavy physical labor on a daily basis and in extreme desert temperatures.
• Knowledgeable of and willing to follow all safety precautions and security procedures.
• Basic arithmetic skill when mixing chemicals.
• Willingness to work overtime, weekends or holidays as needed.
• Must pass a background check.

Education and Experience

High school diploma or equivalent. Previous commercial licensed grounds maintenance/lawn care experience. Valid Driver’s license preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Work is characterized as physically demanding and performed outdoors (80%). The role requires frequent reaching overhead and below the knees, bending, turning, twisting, pulling, pushing, stooping, kneeling, grasping, holding, swinging tools of various sizes and weights vertically and horizontally, and crouching. The job involves frequent use of power tools such as trimmers, carrying them either with the arms or fastened to the back such as gas blowers. Frequent standing and walking for extended periods outdoors is required. Manipulation of other objects and tools of varying size and weight for weeding, digging, trimming, pruning, etc. is common. Occasional hauling, lifting, carrying and placing up to 50 pounds without assistance is expected. Occasionally operating vehicles and visually inspecting grounds is required. Exposure to chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides and insecticides, as well as dirt, allergens, pollen, insects, and extreme desert heat, is part of the job.

Benefits

Exceptional workplace benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401K savings plan. Generous time off plan and 11 paid holidays. Paid time off to volunteer in the community or at GCU sponsored events. Free covered parking. Free on‑site gyms on campus. A Tuition Discount Program for full‑time employees, their spouses, and dependent children.

EEO Statement

The University values diversity among its students, faculty and staff, and invites applications from all qualified individuals, including minorities, females, individuals with disabilities and veterans. Employment is contingent upon the satisfactory outcome (as determined by the university) of pre‑employment screening activities, including a background check.