Under direct supervision from a designated Sub-Foreperson, maintain the appearance and upkeep of campus by performing grounds maintenance such as planting, transplanting, mulching, fertilizing, spraying, watering, weeding, pruning, mowing lawns, collecting leaves, debris and litter from the ground and otherwise tending to lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, ornamental plants and snow removal from sidewalks, bike paths and ADA ramps.

Duties & Responsibilities

Mowing assigned areas, maintaining mowing equipment, and giving instruction providing direction to extra/seasonal help.
Operate and maintain approximately 15 kinds of motorized equipment such as RTV’s, riding mowers, small tractors, leaf vacuums and blowers, skid steers, stump grinders, chippers and sprayers.
Aerate, fertilize, apply weed control, irrigate, renovate, seed and sod campus lawn areas.
Shrub, annual and perennial bed maintenance such as planting, watering, pruning, weeding and mulching.
Collect and remove campus leaves, litter and debris.
Removes snow, apply brine, salt and/or sand for ice removal on sidewalks, bike paths and ADA ramps.
Clear debris from surface drains.
Responsible for safe working habits.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Additional Physical Demands

Work Environment:
1. Work is assigned through the Work Management Group, Service office, Foreperson/Sub-Foreperson, or via the
Director of Building Maintenance & Grounds or his Designee in oral or written form. The Grounds Worker is responsible for ensuring the work or projects are completed properly in accord with statues and codes in a safe and timely manner. The Grounds Worker is expected to support the Mission, Vision, Values, Guiding Principles and management operational directions and philosophies of Facilities and Services.
2. Interacts with campus customers, supervision, peers and other F&S employees.
3. May work in extreme weather conditions.
4. Must be aware of potential danger from moving parts and equipment.
5. May be exposed to dust, loud noise, pesticides, and potentially dangerous equipment.
6. The workload associated with the position can be stressful at times.
7. May work in temperature extremes ranging from freezing weather to high heat/humidity.
8. Use of Personal Protective Equipment is required when hazards exist.
9. Work may include overtime as required, especially during emergency events and critical times such as snow removal, commencement, and back to school.

Environmental Demands:
1. Physical Requirements - Lifting (minimum of 50 pounds), bending, digging and sustained walking and standing.
2. Work Environment - Exposure to weather conditions, noise, dust, pesticides and equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

2. Any one or combination totaling six (6) months from the categories below:

A. Coursework or vocational training in horticulture, landscaping, or a closely related field, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
-Fifteen (15) semester hours equals six (6) months
B. Work experience in grounds maintenance, landscape maintenance, nursery, agriculture work, grounds construction, and/or tending to lawns, turfs, trees, flowers, bushes or other shrubberies, ornamental plants, and other grounds-related work.

3. Valid/current driver’s license as required by the State of Illinois for the type of motor vehicle(s) to be operated.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Basic knowledge of use/capabilities of grounds equipment and tools.
2. Lawn, tree, shrub, annual and perennial care.
3. Pesticide mixing and application.
4. Work routinely connected with grounds related construction or maintenance.
5. Ability and willingness to work as directed.
6. Knowledge of safe practices, organizational policies and rules.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 2015 - Grounds Worker position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 7/8/2024. The starting rate for this position is $18.55/hour

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on June 2, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Jennifer Weaver jdw86@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1030770
Job Category: Crafts & Trades
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

Apply now

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