Job Description
Req Id:  39186
Job Title:  Groundskeeper
City:  West Lafayette
Job Description: 

What You'll Be Doing:

As a Grounds Maintenance worker with the Grounds Department, you will:

  • Perform grounds maintenance duties including grounds cleanliness, shrub pruning, turf fertilization and mowing, landscape equipment operation, pesticide application and landscape renovation around several campus buildings 
  • Maintain campus lawns by irrigating, mowing, edging, hand trimming, fertilizing, using weed control methods, and performing other grounds duties as assigned 
  • Prepare areas for seed or sod, lay sod and sow seed
  • Operate riding mowers, carts, rototillers, lawn sweepers, and aerators as needed.  Additionally, maintain campus trees and shrubs by planting, pruning, watering, spraying, weeding and cleaning shrub plantings
  • Plant, maintain, trim, and prune hedges
  • Prepare flowerbeds for growing annuals and bulbs
  • Maintain appropriate recordkeeping and minor equipment operation/maintenance
  • Required to work overtime for special events and campus snow removal
  • Subject to 24-hour call back for emergencies

 

This position represents a dual-level posting and will be filled as an Associate Grounds Maintenance worker (S1) or a Grounds Maintenance worker (S2). The hiring manager will determine the job level based on the skills, experience, and qualifications of the selected candidate.

 

What We're Looking For:

Skills Needed:

  • Demonstrated basic to intermediate skills in landscape maintenance
  • Ability to read pesticide label and mixing per label
  • Ability to keep records
  • Ability to read, write and speak English required
  • Must be able to communicate effectively with supervisor and co-workers  
  • Ability to perform basic mathematics needed
  • Good work organization and problem-solving ability required
  • Landscape equipment operation and maintenance i.e. truck, utility cart, etc. necessary
  • Personal protective equipment will be required during specific work duties as determined by the department
  • Valid driver’s license required

 

Associate Grounds Maintenance (S1):

Required:

  • High school diploma/GED required
  • Basic grounds maintenance functions of mowing/trimming, mulching, shrub pruning, pesticide application, and grounds cleanliness helpful

 

Preferred:

  • Class 3A or 3B Pesticide Applicator’s License

 

Grounds Maintenance (S2):

Required:

  • High school diploma/GED
  • Three years in basic grounds maintenance functions of mowing/trimming, mulching, shrub pruning, pesticide application, and grounds cleanliness


Preferred:

  • Class 3A or 3B Pesticide Applicator’s License

Additional Information:

  • Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position   
  • A background check will be required for employment in this position
  • FLSA: Non-Exempt (Eligible For Overtime)
  • Retirement Eligibility: Non-exempt Defined Contribution Plan
  • Purdue University is an EO/EA University
  • Benefit Statement: Purdue University offers a substantial Benefit Package including medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous paid time off package for sick and vacation days
  • Purdue University is an EO/EA employer

Career Stream

OR

Posting Start Date:  10/7/25