Groundskeeper

Job Duties:

Two full-time university staff positions are available in Grounds Maintenance beginning Spring of 2026. The working title for this assignment is Groundskeeper with an official title of Groundskeeper. This is an expected-to-continue assignment which requires a six-month probationary period. The expected hourly hiring salary will be $17.00 an hour.

50% A. Maintenance of designated landscaped areas.

• Mow, trim, rake, edge, aerate and water lawn areas.
• Daily, pick up litter and other debris.
• Topdress, seed and sod lawn areas.
• Apply fertilizer, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides as required.
• Weed, till, edge and muIch shrub beds
• Plant, prune, transplant and remove trees and shrubs as directed.
• Operate and maintain underground irrigation systems.
• Guide student and Limited Term employees in implementation of maintenance activities.
• Monitoring designated area and creating solutions to problems/issues; prioritizing daily tasks based on events, weather, area use, etc.

20% B. Removal of snow and ice.

• Place and maintain snow marking posts, barricades, cones, barrels, etc., as needed to minimize winter damage
• Plow, brush and blow snow from roads, walks and lots with articulating tractors and wheel loaders.
• Shovel steps, ramps and walks.
• Spread sand and salt as required by means including by hand, truck, tractor, or utility vehicle spreader.
• Monitor, daily, for safe conditions on all pavements in both designated area all other walks, steps, roads, and lots of campus as needed.

15% C. Operation and maintenance of grounds equipment.

• Operate wheel and skid loaders and articulating tractors with specialized attachments for maintenance and construction projects (i.e: backhoe, trencher, landscape rake, tiller, augers, forks, brooms, various buckets and snow plow
• Drive dump and pickup trucks with trailer for hauling construction materials and trash.
• Operate other special equipment including: aerial bucket, tree spade, brush chipper, trenchers, air compressor, sod cutter, lawn edger, jack hammer, etc.
• Inspect, clean, grease, gas up, change oil and perform minor adjustments on. mowers and all small equipment and tools.
• Sharpen blades on mowers and chain saws.
• Assist Grounds Mechanic as required.
• Observe and execute safety practices and procedures.

15% D. Other maintenance and development projects.

• Clean and perform minor pothole repairs on roads and parking lots.
• Install and repair benches, waste containers, bike racks, signs, posts, fencing, barricades, and banners.
• Maintain hiking trails, gravel drives, stream bank, flood control structure; invasive removal and forestry work in Putnam Park.
• Complete special projects on athletic and recreation fields.
• Assist other shops and contractors on projects.
• Clean and organize Grounds Shop and storage areas.
• Assist in planting and maintenance of flower beds.
• Accurately maintain on-line work logs, time sheets and other records.
• Work individually or as a team, in coordination with Grounds Crew Lead, to accomplish work orders in a timely manner.
• Purchase small tools, supplies, and equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Grounds Supervisor.

OTHER

• The regular work shift is 6:00 AM to 2:15 PM, Monday through Friday. During winter months or emergency situations (e.g. flooding, storm damage) overtime work on short notice is frequently required, which may involve being placed in call-back.
• This job involves Heavy Work (lifting 50lbs frequently and occasionally up to 100lbs).
• A valid Driver''s License and a good driving record which meets State of Wisconsin minimum driving standards to operate University vehicles is required.