Groundskeeper

Position Summary

The Grounds team consists of 20-plus groundskeepers, arborists, and other specialists who develop and maintain our 300-acre, tree-lined campus in an environmentally sensitive and aesthetically pleasing manner. This dedicated team works throughout the year in all weather conditions while caring for our trees, fields, gardens, and lawns. Our mission is to create a great first impression and support the university’s mission of teaching and research through our effective and innovative stewardship of the campus landscape.

The Groundskeeper will perform general landscape maintenance, including mowing, edging, trimming, pruning, raking, planting, watering, weeding, caring for trees and shrubs, performing minor irrigation repairs, and assisting with pest control on campus. The Groundskeeper will also clean streets, sidewalks, loading docks, and parking lots, and perform trash removal. We are looking to hire 3 groundskeepers to our team!

The ideal candidate understands that success in this role requires a commitment to teamwork, a willingness to learn, flexibility in work assignments, and a dedication to first-class customer service.

This position is fully on-site and requires all duties to be performed in person, Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with occasional overtime expected approximately 3–4 times per year and flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

• The role is designated as essential on campus, requiring consistent on-site presence to support critical operations and respond during campus emergencies.
• The work is performed primarily in an outdoor environment with frequent exposure to varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, and rain, as well as environmental factors such as dirt, dust, fumes, pollen, noise, and hazardous chemicals, including insecticides, fungicides, and fertilizers.
• Duties may also involve working at elevated heights on ladders or scaffolding and operating heavy equipment such as chainsaws, mowers, and hedge trimmers.
• This position is classified as heavy work, requiring the ability to exert up to 70 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds frequently, and up to 20 pounds continuously. The role also requires standing and/or walking for up to 8 hours per day, coordinating multiple limbs to safely operate equipment and vehicles, and performing physical activities such as bending, crouching, kneeling, lifting, reaching, climbing, balancing, and maintaining visual awareness for safe task execution.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the starting salary is $18.00 an hour
. This rate is non-negotiable.
* Non-Exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

• No formal education required
• 0–1 years of experience in landscaping, grounds maintenance, or a related field

• Ability to follow instructions and standardized procedures
• Basic knowledge of landscaping or groundskeeping (or willingness to learn)
• Safe use of hand tools and small equipment
• Physical stamina and ability to perform manual labor outdoors
• Dependability and punctuality
• Attention to detail in completing assigned tasks
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Awareness of basic safety practices
• Flexibility to work in changing weather conditions and schedules

• High school diploma or GED; an associate degree in horticulture, landscaping, or a related field
• Some experience in landscape maintenance or a related field
• Ability and willingness to learn and follow safety procedures and basic equipment operation
• Dependability, punctuality, and a strong work ethic
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as…