Groundskeeper II or III

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Under general supervision of the Grounds Manager, Groundskeepers maintain and improve campus landscapes and ecosystems with a focus on reducing long‑term maintenance and providing outdoor learning opportunities for the communities we serve; maintain campus safety including responding to adverse weather; support large campus events such as sports and concerts; ensure infrastructure such as irrigation and storm water systems are functioning properly;

and actively participate in support of programs such as Tree Campus USA and Waste and Recycling management.

The Landscape and Grounds section of Facilities is responsible for minimizing the deterioration of campus grounds, maintaining the campus aesthetic, implementing campus landscape and grounds improvements, operating the recycling and solid waste programs, producing and reviewing plans and specifications for proposed construction projects, as well as evaluating finished construction as it relates to such specifications, and keeping the grounds free from physical hazards to campus users.

Under general supervision of the Grounds Manager, the individual in this position operates a wide variety of specialized grounds maintenance, landscape construction, road maintenance, waste management, and snow removal equipment.

Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Turf management; tree and shrub maintenance and installation
• Street and sidewalk maintenance
• Landscape design and construction; greenhouse production; flowerbed design and maintenance; irrigation system design, installation and maintenance
• Street, sidewalk, and entryway snow removal and alleviation of icy hazards
• Weed and outside pest control, equipment repair and maintenance
• Maintaining and producing landscape inventories and other detailed records
• Waste/recycling collection, hauling and disposal
• Performing related duties as required

• High school diploma or equivalent, plus relevant post‑secondary education in a landscape‑horticulture/maintenance curriculum or related area and/or experience in a commercial grounds maintenance operation.
  • Note: to be considered for a Groundskeeper III, a minimum of 2 years of full‑time (or part‑time equivalent) experience in a large‑scale grounds maintenance operation is required.
• Experience in general commercial grounds maintenance operations
• Demonstrated competence using personal computers and software, such as word processing, spreadsheets, electronic calendars, and email. Microsoft Office preferred

• Experience operating specialized landscape equipment such as backhoes, skid steers, dump trucks, roll‑off trucks, large mowers (72" deck or larger) and other equipment
• Experience and skill maintaining small engine machinery and performing incidental and emergency repairs on grounds maintenance equipment
• Experience operating snow removal machinery
• Experience in recycling / waste management practices

• Consistently exercise initiative and good judgment
• Effectively and safely operate work‑related equipment and tools
• Accurately follow written and oral instructions and procedures
• Communicate effectively with co‑workers, supervisors, and clients in person, by phone, or electronically
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, and the public and be a successful team player
• Provide excellent customer service; represent the department and MSU to others in a professional and courteous manner

Must possess a valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and meet all State of Montana requirements to operate State/University vehicles. (If successful candidate possesses a valid out‑of‑state driver’s license, must obtain a valid Montana driver’s license within 60 days of hire.)

The work schedule is typically 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, but may vary greatly depending on departmental need. The person in this position may be called…