Job Title:

Groundskeeper

 Kent Campus - Kent, OH

Salary:

 $15.76 - $16.47 (6 month rate)

Bonus:  Effective with the pay period which contains October 1, 2024 each employee on the active payroll shall receive a one-time lump sum payment in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000).

Basic Function:

Performs grounds maintenance functions. Reports to Groundskeeper Crew Leader, Groundskeeping Supervisor, or other designated supervisor.

Additional Basic Function – if applicable:

Examples of Duties:

Duties/essential functions may include, but not be limited to, the following: 

Mows, trims, and edges lawns; weeds and waters lawns and flower beds; prunes trees and shrubs; plants and transplants trees, shrubs, ground cover, and flowers; operates hand and chain saw to cut trees and wood.

Operates various equipment and motor vehicles in performance of job duties (e.g., garden tractors, power mowers, etc.).

Applies insecticides and fertilizers to control insects and disease and promote growth of lawns, trees, shrubs, and flower beds; applies top soil; prepares surfaces for seeding or sodding; mows, aerates, drags, lays out, lines, and paints athletic fields; seeds and sods lawns.

Keeps grounds clean; picks up papers and other debris, rakes leaves, operates vacuum sweeper to clean sidewalks and parking lots when necessary.

Removes snow and ice using snow blower, snow thrower, hand shovel, and/or broom; applies salt and/or sand to snow and ice.

May drive vehicle to pick up and deliver materials, equipment, and personnel; performs routine maintenance of tools and grounds equipment (e.g., cleans, paints, oils, sharpens, etc.); performs routine building maintenance and custodial duties, as assigned.

May train and direct student employees or employees in a lower pay grade in University grounds procedures; may participate in training new employees.

May assist skilled tradespersons as assigned.

Performs related duties as required.

Additional Examples of Duties – if applicable:

Minimum Qualifications:

A minimum of six months of work experience.

License/Certification:

Valid Ohio driver's license with safe driving record, if required by position. May require pesticide applicator's license or be able to successfully complete requirements for license during probationary period.

Knowledge Of:

Grounds maintenance (e.g., applying sprays, planting, pruning, trimming, transplanting, etc.)

Skill In:

Use of hand and power tools
Operating and maintaining various types of grounds maintenance equipment (e.g., power mower, garden tractor, chain saw, sod cutter, rotary tiller, snow thrower)

Ability To:

Demonstrate physical dexterity and lift 50 pounds
Read (e.g., work orders, product labels), write (e.g., repair orders), and accurately follow oral and written instructions
Apply safety practices
Perform basic mathematics (e.g., add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, decimals, and fractions, and calculate percentages)

Preferred Qualifications – if applicable:

Assessments:

Asterisk (*) indicates knowledge, skills, abilities which may require assessments. Assessments could take the form of interview questions, a request to provide work samples or a written or practical test to assess job related competencies.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:

Works primarily outdoors; exposed to variable temperatures and weather conditions, dirt, dust, fumes, odors, chemicals, loud equipment noise, and potentially dangerous equipment (e.g., power mower, garden tractor); requires considerable physical exertion to include frequent lifting of up to 50 pounds (e.g., fertilizer, shrubs), occasional lifting of up to 100 pounds (e.g., trees, barrels of soil), and extended periods of kneeling, stooping, standing and walking; may work varied hours and shifts to include early mornings and evenings; requires on- and off-campus travel.

Working Schedule:

 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; however, schedule may vary to meet departmental needs.

Additional Information:

Must pass a security check.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

For official job descriptions, visit www.kent.edu/hr. 

Kent State University is a Smoke-Free, Tobacco-Free University effective July 1, 2017. Smoking and tobacco use are not permitted on any of Kent State’s campuses or other locations and properties that are owned, operated, or leased by Kent State, both domestic and international. For additional details, visit www.kent.edu/smoke-free.

Disclaimer:

The intent of this description is to illustrate the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and should not be interpreted to describe all the specific duties and responsibilities that may be required in any particular position. Directly related experience/education beyond the minimum stated may be substituted where appropriate at the discretion of the Appointing Authority. Kent State University reserves the right to revise or change job duties, job hours, and responsibilities.