Student Grounds Crew Lead

You will join a team of groundskeepers who are passionate about providing a safe and beautiful outdoor learning space. You will have the opportunity to make a positive impact in students' lives and care for the environment. Learn more about the department HERE

The Student Grounds Crew Lead supports the care and maintenance of Whitworth University’s campus grounds, including turf, landscape beds, and hardscapes. This hands‑on role leads, trains, mentors, and supervises a crew of 10–15 student employees while working alongside them to maintain a safe, welcoming, and beautiful campus. The position also supports seasonal operations, including snow and ice removal during the winter months.

• Lead, train, mentor, and supervise student grounds employees.
• Coordinate work schedules around changing student availability.
• Assign and prioritize daily work.
• Work alongside student employees to provide hands‑on instruction and leadership.
• Provide equipment, technical, and safety training.
• Monitor completed work for quality and provide coaching.
• Partner with the Grounds Supervisor in addressing technical or interpersonal concerns.

• Maintain campus turf, landscape beds, plantings, and hardscapes.
• Operate mowing, trimming, spraying, and other grounds equipment.
• Perform turf and plant care.
• Safely mix and apply herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers.
• Identify maintenance priorities through regular assessment of campus grounds.

• Plan and complete small landscape improvement projects.
• Support irrigation renovation and installation.
• Assist with site preparation and demolition.
• Select and install plant materials.
• Assist with review of larger landscape installations.

• Safely and efficiently operate snow removal equipment including small snow plows, truck plows, de‑icing equipment and snow shovels.
• Direct student workers during daytime snow removal and de‑icing operations.
• Assist in maintaining and growing Whitworth Grounds social media presence.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds. If you have experience working outdoors, operating equipment, maintaining turf and landscapes, or leading others, we encourage you to apply.

• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Washington State pesticide applicator license within the first year of employment.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including strenuous outdoor work in varying weather conditions, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, and operating riding equipment for up to two hours at a time.
• Personal commitment to the Christian faith and to the educational mission of Whitworth University as a Christian liberal arts university.
• A commitment to the educational mission of Whitworth University as a comprehensive Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church.

• Ability to provide hands‑on direction, training, mentorship, and constructive feedback to student employees.
• Ability to assess grounds needs, organize daily work, adjust priorities, and coordinate work around changing schedules and seasonal demands.
• Demonstrated commitment to safe work practices and the responsible use of grounds equipment, tools, and landscape products.
• Ability to build positive working relationships and contribute to a team focused on maintaining a safe, welcoming, and well‑cared‑for campus.

• Experience in groundskeeping, landscaping, turf care, agriculture, construction, irrigation, athletic field maintenance, or a related field.
• Experience operating lawn mowers, tractors, or similar grounds or…