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Grounds Worker

DESCRIPTION

Otterbein University is seeking a skilled and dependable Grounds Worker to perform a wide range of duties related to the maintenance and care of campus grounds and athletic facilities. This is a full-time, non-exempt support position working 40 hours per week, 12 months per year, and plays an important role in maintaining the appearance, safety, and functionality of university outdoor spaces.

The Grounds Worker performs hands-on work in landscaping, athletic field maintenance, snow removal, special setups, and equipment operation, while supporting campus priorities through collaboration, supervision of assigned workers, and responsive service.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Grounds & Landscape Maintenance

Maintain lawns through planting, cultivating, fertilizing, watering, and mowing using hand and power equipment.
Cultivate, prune, transplant, fertilize, and water shrubbery, hedges, and trees.
Grade and prepare soil for planting and plant and maintain flower beds.
Maintain university grounds in a clean, neat condition by removing leaves, fallen branches, and debris from lawns, walkways, parking lots, and drives.
Monitor for pests, disease, weeds, and other deteriorating agents and take appropriate steps for eradication.

Athletic Field & Special Event Support

Maintain football fields, baseball diamonds, and other athletic fields through rolling, aerating, trimming, grading, watering, and striping as required.
Provide layout and striping of athletic fields.
Move and set up furniture and equipment in support of campus events and departmental needs.

Equipment, Safety & Operations

Clean, maintain, and control tools and equipment assigned to the department.
Monitor supplies and work with supervision to maintain appropriate stock levels of essential materials.
Remove snow and apply deicing materials to building entrances, walkways, parking areas, and driveways.

Supervision & Collaboration

Supervise and train other grounds workers, unskilled labor, and student workers in campus grounds maintenance tasks.
Assist supervisors in planning work and estimating time and material requirements for projects.
Assist other university employees in the performance of duties as needed to meet university priorities.
Perform additional duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises grounds workers and student workers assigned to the Grounds Crew.
May supervise other crafts workers when supporting furniture moves or special setups.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties described above.

Education, Experience & Licensure

High school diploma required.
Associate’s degree in Horticulture or Landscape Architecture preferred.
Minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience.
Valid Ohio driver’s license required.
State Pesticide Application License required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Good physical health and strength, with the ability to lift up to 50 pounds regularly.
Ability to work from ladders and scaffolding.
Availability to respond to emergency call-ins.
Self-directed with the ability to supervise and direct others.
Strong sense of pride and ownership in work performed.
Skilled in the use and care of hand and power equipment, including mowers, edging equipment, tractors, fertilizer and spray equipment, and snow removal equipment.
Working knowledge of pesticides and fungicides, including selection, application, and safety precautions.
Working knowledge of safety practices and occupational hazards related to equipment operation, chemical handling, and lifting heavy furniture.
Working knowledge of soil sampling and interpretation to determine appropriate chemical treatments and application timelines.
Working knowledge of turf management, including grass selection, mowing, fertilization, watering schedules, and identification and treatment of weeds, fungus, and insect damage.
Working knowledge of shrubs, trees, and plantings, including planting methods, fertilization, disease identification, corrective measures, and pruning practices.
Knowledge of sports field maintenance practices, including marking and striping procedures.
Knowledge of minor cement work and repairs.
Knowledge of snow removal and deicing procedures.

Work Environment
Work is performed outdoors with exposure to varying environmental conditions, including seasonal heat and cold, slippery surfaces, seasonal allergens, sun glare, fertilizers, pesticides, and other materials common to grounds maintenance. Appropriate safety equipment is required.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Otterbein offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

Tuition benefit to employee, spouse or domestic partner and dependents
Accrue 4 weeks of paid vacation
10 days paid sick time
12 paid holidays plus bonus days
Medical, dental and vision insurance to you, dependents or domestic partner
Life Insurance
Defined contribution retirement plan
and much more

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind of level of difficulty.

Otterbein University’s achievement of academic excellence depends on its commitment to inclusion and belonging. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. Otterbein University is an EEO Employer.

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