Lead Grounds Keeper

University of California; Georgia; On-site; USD 24,631 - 26,505; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Vacation time

Sick leave

13 paid holidays

Job summary

Augusta University in Georgia seeks a full-time Grounds Maintenance Lead to oversee campus grounds care, supervise crews, and ensure safe operation of equipment. The role requires managing tasks, performing regular maintenance, and coordinating with the Grounds Foreman on daily plans.

Applicants should have a High School diploma or GED with at least five years in grounds maintenance and a valid driver's license. The university offers comprehensive benefits and a collaborative work environment.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED with five years of grounds maintenance experience.
• Must have valid driver's license to operate AU golf carts and vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Leads Grounds Crews: assigns tasks and monitors daily activities.
• Maintains groundcovers, shrubs, trees and turfgrass including pruning and mowing.
• Maintains grounds equipment: perform routine maintenance and keep records.
• Operates vehicles and light construction equipment safely and efficiently.
• Cleans and organizes grounds warehouse; ensures proper storage of tools and fuel.

Skills

Leadership

Safety training

Grounds maintenance

Equipment operation

Recordkeeping

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Maximo

OneUSG

Forklift certification

JLG Man Lift certification

Job description

This position leads and works with a crew maintaining and beautifying grounds, maintaining grounds equipment, setups, and performing waste management.

Responsibilities

• Leads Grounds Crews

  Participates in and assigns tasks to Grounds keepers.

  Reviews results continuously and confers with Grounds Foreman on daily activities.

  Provides safety and technical training.

  Ensures the use of appropriate personal protection equipment and power equipment safety devices.

  Responsible for recording labor and material information into Maximo for the Groundskeepers.

  Assist Groundskeepers with entering leave requests in OneUSG.

• Maintains Groundcovers, Shrubs, Trees, and Turfgrass

  Prunes shrubs and trees; mows lawns with proper equipment. Collects and removes lawn cuttings and debris.

  Line trims around signs, trees, valve boxes and edges along walks, curbs, and beds.

  Controls weeds manually and with the application of mulch and chemical herbicides to bed areas. Applies fertilizer to shrubs and trees. Hand waters new plants and trees.

  Inspects lawns and shrub beds prior to mowing or pruning for obstacles such as debris, irrigation heads, rocks, limbs, valve boxes, etc.

• Maintains Grounds Equipment

  Ensures routine maintenance are performed (oil change, filter change, fasteners tightened, blades replacement, trimmers lubricated, etc.) and properly documented.

  Ensures oil checks prior to starting to engine.

  Ensures daily cleaning of equipment after use age.

  Coordinates equipment maintenance and repair needs with grounds mechanic.

  Notifies Grounds Foreman of safety and maintenance/repair concerns.

• Operates Vehicles and Light Construction Equipment

  Safely operates, vehicles, golf carts, mowers, street sweepers and small tractors.

  Operates the backhoe (transporting mulch, debris, excavation assignments).

  Checks fluid levels prior to starting.

  Cleans vehicle and equipment (Interior and Exterior).

  Require training and certification in operation of the motorized personnel lift and forklift.

  Removes lawn cuttings, plant clippings, and tree limbs; and places them in yard waste container.

  Removes litter and chewing gum from campus grounds, parking lots, and streets.

  Cleans and empties waste containers.

  Assist with packing waste, yard debris and cardboard roll off containers by operating backhoe.

• Cleans and Organizes Grounds Warehouse

  Sweeps floors and removes debris.

  Keeps tools, equipment, and vehicles in good condition and stored properly.

  Returns flammable products containers to fireproof storage cabinets at end of each day.

  Makes sure that all fuel containers are properly labeled and safety compliant.

  Safeguards and secures grounds equipment.

  Monitors shop supplies and PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) and submits requests to Foreman.

• Perform Related Work As Required

  Coordinates and assists crews with campus event setups (Pig Out, A Day, Orientation, etc.), such as pressure washing, weed and pest control.

  Follows all departmental and University policies. Treats students, coworkers, supervisors, faculty, and visitors with respect.

  Wears uniform as outlined in policy and maintains good hygiene.

  Performs any duties and assignments as instructed by supervisor.

• Assist Maintenance Worker as required

  Assist Maintenance Worker with RO work Orders as needed.

  Assist Maintenance Worker as needed with masonry, irrigation, and painting as deemed necessary by the Foreman.

• Other

  Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Educational Requirements
  • High School diploma, GED or equivalent from a state or federal accredited organization and five years' experience in grounds maintenance.
• Other Required Qualifications
  • Current valid driver's license to operate AU golf carts and vehicles. Must meet USG requirements to operate AU vehicles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred Experience
  • High School diploma or equivalent GED from a recognized state or federal accredited organization.
  • One (1) year experience in landscaping/grounds.
  • Valid driver's license.
  • Obtain forklift and JLG Man Lift certification.
  • Must possess good computer skills (familiar with spreadsheets and data entry).

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• ABILITIES
  • Ability to follow specific oral and written instructions.
  • Ability to use a variety of standard power and hand tools.
  • Ability to perform heavy manual labor for extended periods often under adverse climatic conditions.
  • Ability to operate and maintain grounds power equipment and tools.
  • Ability to delegate assignments and review performance.
• KNOWLEDGE
  • Knowledgeable of occupational hazards and safety precautions for Landscape/Grounds tasks.
  • Must be able to work independently and also as a team member.
  • Must possess initiative and self-motivational skills to complete assignments.

Shift/Salary/Benefits

• Shift: Days: Monday-Friday.
• Pay Band: 5.
• Salary: $17.88/hourly - $19.24/hourly.
• Salary to be commensurate with qualifications of the selected candidate within the established range (generally minimum-midpoint) of the position.
• Recruitment Period: 7/15/26 Until Filled.
• Benefits: health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays.
• Full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months may be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program.

Conditions of Employment

• All selected candidates are required to successfully pass a Background Check review prior to starting with Augusta University.
• If applicable for the specific position based on the duties: the candidate will also need to have a credit check completed for Positions of Trust and or approved departmental Purchase Card usage.
• Motor vehicle reports are required for positions that are required to drive an Augusta University vehicle.
• For Faculty Hires: Final candidates will be required to provide proof of completed academic degree(s) as well as post-secondary coursework in the form of original transcript(s). Those candidates trained by a foreign institution will also be required to provide an educational/credential evaluation.
• All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive (patient, student, employee, financial, business, etc.) information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies during their employment and beyond.

Driver’s License Statement

The Human Resources Division will request a driver's history report for the identified top candidate(s) for this position. We will initiate this through our Background Check Vendor; this report will come from the Department of Motor Vehicles. The selected candidate must have a valid driver's license.

Other Information

This position is also responsible for promoting a customer-friendly environment and providing superior service to our patients, students, faculty, and employees. Augusta University is a patient-and family-centered care institution, where employees partner every day with patients and families for success.

Augusta University is a tobacco-free environment, and the use of any tobacco products on any part of the campus, both inside and outside, is strictly prohibited.

Augusta University is proudly an equal opportunity employer welcoming applicants from underrepresented groups, including individuals with disabilities and veterans.