Senior Groundskeeper

Senior Groundskeeper

Division:
Finance & Administration
Department/Office:
Grounds

Advertisement:
The Grounds Department herine University invites applications for a full-time Senior Groundskeeper and gardening position. This is a union-represented role and is governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement

This position exists to provide gardening, turf management and winter snow removal for St. Catherine University. The expectation for this position: complete daily support tasks in a timely manner, exercise good customer service skills, complete various inter-departmental projects and other tasks as assigned.

Responsibilities Includes:

• Provides supervision of student staff, volunteers, and/or volunteer work crews; may supervise special team projects
• Responsible for the personal proper use and maintenance of tools, equipment, and materials; performs minor maintenance of power equipment and irrigation;
• Responsible for maintaining required knowledge of established garden plants and turf.
• Understanding the cultural requirements to maintain their growth and cultivation
• Responsible for the continual development of student workers and building positive employee relations by coaching, counseling, mentoring, motivating, resolving conflict, praising, documentation of performance, etc.
• Demonstrates a continual positive effort to maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, and management
• Turf and lawn maintenance including tree care
• Weed and water as needed
• Work in the greenhouse; starting seedling, watering, spraying and propagating plant material
• Perform snow removal duties, plowing, deicing, snow removal with Bobcat, and power sweeping the sidewalks
• Performs regular inspections throughout the gardens; routine inspections may identify insect/disease problems, weed control needs, etc.; reports major problems or concerns to Lead Horticulturist

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess a valid driver's license
• Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience in horticulture trades
• Associates degree or undergraduate study in horticulture, botany, or natural sciences
• Supervisory experience with landscaper or garden staff preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of plant culture, Best Management Practices, plant identification and design preferred
• Previous experience in garden or grounds maintenance with the ability to operate various types of hand and power operated tools and equipment utilized in all phases of horticulture work (lawnmower, rototillers, front-end loader, tractors, back pack sprayers, weed-eaters, etc.)
• Previous experience and knowledge of irrigation systems and maintenance
• Applicator's License with ornamental and turf category or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire
• Demonstrate accuracy; display commitment to excellence and a keen eye for garden detail
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, fellow supervisors, direct supervisors, volunteers, and co-workers
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team effectively
• Strong organizational, analytical, and mathematical skills for recordkeeping, and problem-solving

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to understand and interpret instruction to work effectively and efficiently with minimal supervision
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate maintenance and horticultural needs and personnel needs in a courteous and effective manner
• Knowledge of garden plants, turf, and the aesthetic ethic of the Gardens
• Ability to perform and support horticultural practices that facilitate plant health through understanding soil nutrition, sustainable gardening and Integrated Pest Management
• Ability to visualize and conceptualize garden detail and aesthetics applying best garden practices for plant health and display
• Ability to perform strenuous physical work outside in the Minnesota weather year round
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check

Posting Number: -STAFF

Posting

Start Date:

07/08/2026

Final date to receive applications: 8/10/2026

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Compensation:
Hourly wage is $26.02 in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

This rate reflects good-faith estimate of what we reasonably anticipate to pay for this position, based on market data and internal equity considerations, at the time of posting.

Benefits: Employees e's feel a deep connection to the University's Mission and Vision, and they live their values efits available to full-time employees include:

• Fourteen (14) paid holidays and paid "gift" days when the University is closed.
• Free tuition for employees and reduced tuition for their families after one year of service
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 403b retirement plan access
• Accrued sick time

Specific information on all of our available benefits for full-time employees can be found. St. Catherine University is an equal opportunity employer. Our commitment to inclusion reflects the central value of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet to "love of neighbor without…