Temporary Grounds/Maintenance Worker

Zymtronix Catalytic Systems Inc; City of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 27,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University is seeking a Temporary Grounds/Maintenance Worker to perform manual labor and operate landscape equipment for turf and plant maintenance, litter control, and related duties on campus in Ithaca, NY. The role is temporary and may involve shift changes, nights, weekends, and holidays.

The starting pay is $24 per hour, with a focus on safety and teamwork. Applicants should have a high school diploma or equivalent and a valid US driver’s license.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Must have and maintain a valid US driver’s license.
• Some working knowledge of the methods, materials, tools and equipment used in the landscaping or labor trade.
• Excellent interpersonal (oral and written) skills in order to interact with a wide range of people.
• Self-motivated with ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• A strong customer service orientation while providing a helpful and friendly approach to serving the campus community.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Responsibilities

• Performs manual labor and operates light equipment for landscape maintenance and/or landscape construction tasks.
• Reports unsafe conditions or damage to campus landscape, equipment, or facilities.
• Safely operates hand and self-propelled equipment and tools to meet landscape standards.

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Two seasons of landscape maintenance experience

Formal training in ornamental horticulture/arboriculture

Excellent interpersonal skills

Teamwork and self-motivation

Customer service orientation

Tools

Valid US driver’s license

Job description

Temporary Grounds/Maintenance Worker

Performs manual labor and independentlyoperateslight equipment for general landscape maintenance and /orlandscape construction tasks, including turf maintenance, plant maintenance, litter control, snow removal, and other duties. Promptly reports unsafe conditions or damage to campus landscape, equipment, or facilities. Safelyoperateshand and self-propelled equipment and tools including string trimmers, walk behind mowers, blowers, snow blowers, rakes, and shovels to achieve required landscape standards.

Subject to call-in twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to handle emergencies, especially snow emergencies. Subject to shift changes and extended working hours (including nights, early mornings, evenings,weekendsand holidays) to meet seasonal work demand. Subject to working in weather related extremes of high and low temperatures,snowand rain for extended periods. Maycome into contact withsewage and dead animals. May be exposed to bees/stings and other environmental allergens.

All employees are accountable for supporting the FCS values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity; and supporting inclusive and sustainable practices in carrying out everyday responsibilities.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

This position is a temporary,non-benefitseligible Endowed position expected to last 5.5 months.

The starting pay rate is$24/hour.

We are a value–based organization where all employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity. Facilities and Campus Services employeesare required toattend staff developmenttrainingsandparticipatein the performance evaluation process.

Werequirethese qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Must have andmaintaina valid US driver’s license.
• Some working knowledge of the methods, materials,toolsand equipment used in the landscaping or labor trade.
• Excellent interpersonal (oral and written) skillsin order tointeract with a wide range of people.
• Self -motivated with ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• A strong customer service orientation while providing a helpful and friendly approach to serving the campus community.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

You will be a top candidate with our preferred qualifications:

• Two seasons ofdemonstratedwork experience with landscape maintenance, landscape construction, or related field.
• Formal training in ornamental horticulture, agronomy, arboriculture, phytopathology, ornamental plant pests, and/or equipment operation helpful.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Location: Onsite

Pay Range: Refer to Posting Language

Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “… any person … any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-11-10

About Us

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. With our main campus located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell's far-flung global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

We offer a rich array of services, programs and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of personal life, including: employee wellness, workshops, childcare and adoption assistance, parental leave, flexible work options.