Ornamental Specialist-Groundskeeper

State of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 44,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Minnesota is seeking an Ornamental Specialist/ Groundskeeper to maintain the Capitol Complex gardens and surrounding properties. The role includes seasonal plant care in summer and snow removal in winter to ensure safe, attractive public spaces used by thousands of visitors each year.

Responsibilities cover landscape and turf maintenance, tree and shrub care, irrigation support, and general grounds management.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of plant care and groundskeeping practices.
• Driver’s license with acceptable driving record.
• Ability to work independently and as a team.
• Ability to work in various weather conditions year-round.

Responsibilities

• Maintain ornamental garden beds and natural areas in the Capitol Complex.
• Perform commercial snow removal during winter to keep spaces safe for staff and visitors.
• Assist with irrigation start-ups, repairs, and seasonal adjustments.
• Support general grounds work including cleaning, mowing, edging, and turf care.

Job description

Working Title: Ornamental Specialist

Job Class: Groundskeeper

Agency: Administration Dept

• Job ID : 98300

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : No

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 11/07/2026

• Closing Date : 12/02/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Administration Dept / Administration-AFSCME

• Division/Unit : Grounds Unit A

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift 7am-3:30 pm

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday and every 6th weekend

• Travel Required : Yes, on Capitol complex

• Salary Range: $20.87 - $27.33 / hourly; $43,576 - $57,065 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 203 - Service/AFSCME

• Work Area : Capitol complex

• FLSA Status : Nonexempt

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well‑being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Join the team that maintains the historic Minnesota State Capitol Complex and surrounding state properties. This role’s primary responsibilities are to provide ornamental plant care in the Capitol Complex garden beds and natural areas during the summer months, and commercial snow removal during the winter to support the care, safety, and appearance of public spaces used by state employees and thousands of visitors each year.

Job duties include:

• Landscape & Garden Care: Plant, prune, mulch, water, weed, and otherwise maintain annual and perennial, plants in ornamental gardens. Assist in restoring and managing natural areas using prescribed burns, overseeding, invasive species removal, and native plant establishment.

• Tree & Shrub Maintenance: Assist with pruning, planting, removing, and long‑term tree care.

• Snow & Ice Removal: Commercial snow removal operations with plows, loaders, sidewalk equipment, and hand shoveling to clear roads, ramps, sidewalks, and entrances.

• General Grounds Work: Maintain flags, refuse stations, sidewalks, parking areas, signage, and hardscapes.

• Turf Care: Assist with mowing, trimming, edging, aerating, dethatching, and repairing turf areas.

• Irrigation Support: Help with system start‑ups, repairs, adjustments, and seasonal blow‑outs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of techniques and practices in plant care such as gardening, groundskeeping, nursery work, natural resource management, etc. This could include current or previous applicable postsecondary coursework.

• Driver’s license with acceptable driving record.

• Ability to work independently and as a team.

• Ability to learn on the job, and adapt to changes to schedule, work environment.

• Ability to work in inclement weather conditions year‑round.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in tree and shrub care, planting, trimming, pruning, and felling.

• Experience working in a public setting such as parks and recreation facilities.

• Customer service skills.

• MN non‑commercial pesticide applicator license or ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire.

• Commercial Class ‘B’ driver’s license.

Physical Requirements

Successful candidate must pass pre‑employment physical. Physical Demands: Work Performance Testing (WPT). Job involves exerting up to 36‑50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 22‑30 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 11‑15 pounds of force constantly to move or lift objects.

Additional Requirements

Successful applicants must pass a criminal background check through the American Databank and employment reference checks and Driver’s license check. A criminal history does not automatically disqualify an applicant, and each case will be reviewed individually in alignment with fair hiring practices.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.