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
- Administrative and Operational Support 1 (S1)
- Pay Band S030
- Job Code# 20003357
- Link to Purdue University's Compensation Guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php
OR
- Administrative and Operational Support 2 (S2)
- Pay Band S035
- Job Code# 20003659
- Link to Purdue University's Compensation Guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php
Posting Start Date:
10/7/25