Grounds Maintenance Worker

POSITION SUMMARY

Date application must be received for priority consideration by:
September 29, 2026

Anticipated Appointment Begin Date:
October 15, 2026

Closing Date or if blank, Open Until Filled:

Job Family Group:
Support Staff

Support Staff Classification

Title:

Grounds Maintenance Worker 2

Division/Department:
Finance and Administration/Facilities, Management and Planning

Compensation Range (commensurate with experience):
Salary Range 18, Steps 1-2, $20.19-$20.98/hourly or $3,499-$3,636 monthly @ 1.0 FTE

FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt

Appointment Basis: 12-month

Time Type:
Full-time

Benefits Eligible:
Yes

Renewable/Non-renewable/Grants/Limited Duration/Temporary:
Renewable

This position must possess and maintain a current, valid Driver License:
Yes

This position is designated as a critical, security-sensitive or safety-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal Background Check:
Yes

Lead Work/

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Yes

Work Location Type:
On-campus

Work Hours:

Generally 7AM to 4

Pm.

During inclement weather, the Landscape Department is required to perform snow/Ice removal tasks. Must be available for weather-related call-ins during these conditions.

Hours are subject to change with notice.

Worker Status:
Must be able to legally work in the United States without visa sponsorship

This position reports to the Landscape Department Coordinator and supports the Landscape Maintenance team through daily and seasonal grounds care across the SOU campus and Student Apartments and Family Housing (SAFH) properties.

The primary focus of this role is the routine maintenance, appearance, and functional quality of campus landscape areas, including lawns, planting beds, trees and shrubs, hardscapes, and associated landscape systems.

This position performs a broad range of landscape maintenance tasks including mowing, edging, pruning, planting, mulching, aeration, fertilization, and chemical applications, while also participating in equipment operation, irrigation support, debris management, and seasonal snow and ice response.

The role works closely with other Landscape staff to maintain safe, functional, and visually appealing campus grounds while supporting the long-term health, appearance, and usability of university landscape areas.

Facilities Management and Planning administers custodial services; building maintenance and alterations; utilities operations (heating and cooling); landscape services; capital construction review as it pertains to future maintenance; motor pool operations; property control and inventory; delivery services; stores operations and other support activities necessary for the benefit of administration and academic areas of the campus community.

The SOU campus includes 175 acres of grounds, 140 of which are under active use and maintenance.

Facilities Management maintains 21 major buildings comprising over one million square feet of building space.

The department employs approximately 45 full time personnel and is responsible for approximately 9% of the total campus budget.

• Pesticide applicator's license may be required based on position duties
• Two years experience as a grounds keeper which included plant care
• An Associate's degree in Landscape Technology or Horticulture
• Completion of a Landscape Certification program or license in a horticultural specialty

• Landscape/Building Industry certificates, licenses, work experience, and/or class work completed.
• Trades/Technical School Degree or Associate Degree in a related field.
• Public Pesticide Applicator License through the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
• Must have the license category "Ornamental and Turf - Herbicide".
• Applicants must obtain this certification within 6 months of hire.

• Landscape Maintenance (60%) Plants, prunes, and fertilizes shrubs and trees.
• Advanced tree pruning and removal.
• Operates heavy equipment and light-duty commercial vehicles daily.
• Applies landscape mulch to shrub beds.
• Mows and edges lawns using appropriate equipment.
• Overseeds, fertilizes, aerates, top-dresses, and de-thatches lawn using the appropriate technique/equipment as directed.
• Identifies landscape or lawn problems (irrigation issues, pests, disease) and takes action to remedy/informs supervisor.
• Applies herbicides and insecticides as directed and under the supervision of Licensed Applicators on staff.
• Operates, installs, and repairs irrigation systems as directed.
• Removes leaves, brush…