Groundsworker

Category: Staff

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Department: Facilities

Locations: Des Plaines, IL

Posted: Jan 29, 2026

Closes: Open Until Filled

Type: Full Time Staff

Position : 196825

Educate. Empower. Transform

At Oakton College, we know education changes lives - and that starts with the people who make it happen. For more than 50 years, we've built a welcoming and inclusive community where students from all backgrounds and experiences thrive.

We're looking for passionate educators, professionals and leaders to join our team. Whether in the classroom, student support, or behind the scenes, your talents and expertise will make a difference and shape the future.

We provide dynamic learning environments that empower students and employees alike with campuses in Des Plaines and Skokie and a Health Careers Education Center in Evanston.

As a proud institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Oakton is more than a college - it's a place where innovation, equity and lifelong learning drive everything we do. We value diverse perspectives and embrace new ideas and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and student-centered culture.

Under general supervision, perform tasks involved in maintaining athletic fields, grounds, lawns, flower beds, shrubs and trees, sidewalks, parking lots, roads and storm sewers and drainage structures, and snow removal.

• Perform routine tasks in maintaining lawns and grounds, including seeding, fertilizing, mowing, watering and weed control, install, plant, spray and maintain flower beds.
• Plant, fertilize, spray and prune shrubs and trees.
• Maintain and repair sidewalks, roads and parking lots.
• Maintain and repair water and sanitary lines, storm sewers, drainage structures and manholes and drain lines.
• Perform tasks in snow removal including use of snowplow, UTV or tractor to remove snow and add ice control by using salt or liquid deicers. Perform leaf raking, tree cutting, grass cutting and stump removal. Cut, remove and perform tree controlled burning as needed.
• Applies fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides as directed.
• Preform daily campus litter and garbage can pick up.
• Operate job related power equipment such as end loader, snow blower, air compressor and air hammer, mowers, painter, chain saw, and other power equipment.
• Perform other general maintenance tasks as may be assigned by Supervisor or Director of Facilities.
• Perform Athletic fields maintenance, repair and striping.
• Perform Sprinkler system repair and maintenance.
• Preform other job-related duties as assigned.

Administrative supervision is received from the Grounds Supervisor.

None. Functional supervision may be exercised over student employees.

• High school education or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired.
• Two years of landscaping groundskeeping and athletic fields experience.
• Illinois State Public Applicator or Operator License and /or Ornamental and Turf license must be obtained in 6 months of employment.
• Ability to operate various types of power equipment including lawnmowers, trimmers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, and other landscaping equipment.
• Ability to use hand tools required for landscaping.
• Ability to follow instructions and complete assignments.
• Extensive knowledge of landscaping techniques and processes. Excellent time management skills. Verbal and written communication skills. Ability to give and follow directions and to follow written and oral instructions.
• General computer knowledge is required.
• Ability to interact professionally and tactfully with people of different levels of education, cultural backgrounds, and life experiences, and to exhibit an adequate level of respect to fellow employees and the College community at large.

• Illinois State Commercial Driver's License. Class B with Air Brake Endorsement is preferred. College sponsorship for earning Class B is available.

• The ability to stand, walk and move for extended periods of…