Grounds & Land Technician

THE THEODORE ROOSEVELT PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY FOUNDATION

“Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.” -Theodore Roosevelt

Since 2014, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation (TRPLF) has been planning and building a new, ambitious kind of presidential library and museum. Other presidential libraries tell the story of a single individual, but the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (TRPL) – being built more than a century after T.R.’s death – will do more than preserve history. The TRPL will be a people’s library, bringing Roosevelt’s values and relentless spirit to life at a critical time in our nation and world, while simultaneously championing the stories of all who “dare greatly, think boldly, care deeply, and live passionately.”

The library is currently being constructed in Medora, North Dakota, with a milestone planned for July 4, 2026 – America’s 250th anniversary. Participants at the TRPL will learn from – not just about – Roosevelt’s story, being transformed into the same stunning Badlands that served as the fulcrum in T.R.’s incredible life story.

Guided by the pillar principles of leadership, citizenship, and conservation, the Foundation has partnered with innovative partners – like the award-winning architecture firm, Snøhetta, and the best-in-class story crafters, the Future of Storytelling – to build an institution like no other. With plans to be the most sustainable presidential library and campus ever, a revolutionary approach to interpretive design, and programming that will spread the library’s message into neighboring Theodore Roosevelt National Park and beyond across the globe, the opportunity to join a talented team in building and opening this institution is truly unique.

About the Role

The Grounds & Land Technician is a steward of the outdoor environments of one of the most sustainable cultural institutions in the world. This role supports the daily care, safety, and long-term health of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library’s grounds, trails, and prairie landscape, ensuring that exterior spaces are clean, accessible, resilient, and thoughtfully maintained.

More than traditional groundskeeping, this position contributes directly to visitor experience, land stewardship, and the Library’s conservation and sustainability commitments. From native plant systems and regenerative land practices to trail maintenance and seasonal readiness, each task supports a campus that reflects Theodore Roosevelt’s values of respect for land, people, and future generations.

Reporting to the Manager of Grounds & Land and working closely with facilities and sustainability teams, the Grounds & Land Technician helps ensure the Library’s landscapes function as living systems that are safe, welcoming, and aligned with long-term stewardship goals.

Core Competencies

• Passion for environmental stewardship, conservation, and working with the land
• Interest in native prairie ecosystems, ecological restoration, and regenerative practices
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail, and commitment to safety
• Ability to operate and maintain grounds equipment and tools
• Comfort working collaboratively across facilities and ground operations to support integrated campus stewardship
• Willingness to learn sustainable land-management practices and certification requirements
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team

Responsibilities

Land & Campus Stewardship

• Perform routine patrols of grounds, parking areas, trailheads, and outdoor spaces to ensure cleanliness, safety, and readiness
• Maintain natural-surface trails through debris removal and basic surface care
• Support care of native prairie restoration areas, including invasive species control and plant health monitoring
• Document field observations, maintenance activities, and site conditions to support monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive land-management decisions

Grounds Operations & Maintenance

• Maintain outdoor elements including green roof areas, lawns, gardens, signage, walking paths, and site furnishings
• Assist with snow removal and seasonal site readiness to ensure safe access year-round
• Monitor parking areas, drainage systems, and exterior lighting for functionality and safety
• Operate, maintain, and perform basic repairs on landscaping tools, utility vehicles, and grounds equipment
• Maintain inventories, equipment logs, supply records, and work documentation
• Complete assigned inspections, maintenance tasks, and work orders in accordance with established SOPs and CMMS workflows

Cross-Team & Facilities Support (As Needed)

• Provide operational support to the Facilities team during peak workload periods, emergency conditions, or staff absences, particularly where land, landscape, and building systems intersect
• Assist with seasonal readiness and winter operations, including snow events, ice management, and access route preparation that impact building entrances, life-safety systems, and mechanical operations
• Support monitoring and basic care of site-adjacent infrastructure in coordination with Facilities, including exterior lighting, drainage features, utility interfaces, snow-melt zones, and equipment located within landscaped areas

• Coordinate with Facilities staff to identify and resolve issues at the building and land interface, including stormwater impacts, freeze protection concerns, exterior equipment exposure, and visitor or service access routes
• Participate in cross-training and coordinated response activities to strengthen team resilience and ensure continuity of operations across Facilities, Grounds, and Sustainability functions

Sustainability & Certification Support

• Assist with regenerative land-management practices including soil health improvement and integrated pest management
• Work with facilities and sustainability teams to align daily activities with LEED, SITES, and Living Building Challenge goals
• Support site audits, inspections, and documentation required for certification compliance
• Record land-care activities, materials use, and maintenance practices to support accurate, auditable sustainability documentation and reporting
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required
• 1–2 years of experience in groundskeeping, landscaping, land management, or related outdoor work preferred
• Experience with native plants, sustainable landscaping, or ecological land stewardship a plus
• Familiarity with LEED, SITES, or Living Building Challenge principles—or willingness to learn
• Demonstrated ability to operate equipment such as side-by-sides, skid steers, and snow-removal machinery
• Strong teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Ability to bend, kneel, walk uneven terrain, and operate grounds equipment

• Comfortable working outdoors year-round in heat, cold, rain, and snow
• Availability for early mornings, evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed for snow events or special programs
• Proper use of provided PPE in accordance with safety protocols
• This is a full-time, hourly, non-exempt position working onsite in Medora, ND. (Must reside within 60 miles or a one-hour drive of Medora.)

Full benefits include 403(b), medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, as well as 20 days of paid time off and 10 days of holidays.

The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible environment. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete your application, participate in an interview, or otherwise navigate our hiring process, please email careers at trlibrary.com. Our team will connect with you to explore the best way to support your experience. Our team will connect with you to explore the best way to support your experience.