Michigan Technological University is seeking a groundsperson for our Facilities management department. They are to maintain and improve University grounds including turf, streets, parking lots and subsurface infrastructure; move equipment and furniture; transport incoming and outgoing freight shipments; set up furnishings and equipment at special events; and assist and work with Operators and Trades personnel on a wide variety of projects.
Responsibilities and Essential Duties
1. Perform a wide variety of skilled work in the operation of all light-duty equipment including, but not limited to the following: Pick-up Truck with or without a plow Utility Work Machines with or without plow, salt/sand broadcaster, snow blower, or broom, Riding Lawn Mower
2. Perform a wide variety of skilled work in the operation of hand-held tools and equipment including, but not limited to the following: Weed Trimmer/Edger Leaf Blower Air Compressor Push Lawn Mower Power Broom Snow Blower
3. Be responsible for general operating and light maintenance of equipment and machines including oil changes, greasing, filter changes, maintaining proper fluid levels and tire inflation.
4. Support the maintenance of campus sidewalks and roadways, including pavement patching and replacement, installation of signage, maintenance of safety barriers, snow removal, and sand/salt treatment.
5. Be responsible for connecting hoses to exterior spigots and placing and positioning sprinklers at select areas on campus to ensure that areas are sufficiently irrigated and maintained.
6. Support the maintenance and upkeep of campus grounds, including applying seed, fertilizer, and soil amendments; turf repair; lawn mowing; tree trimming, removal, and planting; and raking and leaf collection.
7. Be able to work from general assignment and proceed with minimum supervision or direction from others.
8. Assist Operators and Trades personnel with maintenance of various types of equipment and building facilities and infrastructure as necessitated by daily operations.
9. Project implementation support through organizing work assignments and coordinating with Equipment Operators to ensure that work is completed on time and within budget.
10. Be responsible for housekeeping, sanitation, and safety in assigned Grounds break, storage, shop, and work areas.
11. Report all safety-related concerns to supervisor.
12. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
13. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.
Required Education, Certifications, Licensures
- High School diploma, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired.
- Must possess appropriate valid driver's license(s) and a satisfactory driving record.
- One year experience, within the last three years, in the performance of landscaping and groundskeeping including turf maintenance, tree and shrub planting and maintenance, walkway/roadway maintenance, snow removal, and equivalent tasks.
- One year experience, within the last three years, in the operation and maintenance of light-duty equipment including pickup trucks with snow plows, riding lawn mowers, utility work machines/utility task vehicles, and equivalent mobile equipment.
Desirable Education and/or Experience
- Experience in the operation and maintenance of heavy equipment including, but not limited to the following: Wheel Loader Tandem-Axle Dump Truck Sander Truck with an under-blade, Motor Grader Bulldozer Backhoe SnoGo All-terrain Fork-Lift Sewer Jetter Truck Bucket Truck
- Experience in the operation and maintenance of heavy equipment including, but not limited to the following: Pick-up Truck Mounted Sander Turf Sweeper Street Sweeper Skid-steer Farm Tractor
- Experience in the operation of hand-held tools and equipment including, but not limited to the following: Chain Saw, Masonry Sa, Welding/Cutting Torch
- Ability to read and work from blueprints, sketches, and schematic drawings.
- Possession of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with B endorsement.
- Possession of a Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification as defined by The Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Public Act 451, As Amended and Regulation 636, As Amended.
- Possession of a certification in First-Aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
- Possession of Level One or Level Two Certifications from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) in General Safety and Health Safety and Health Management Systems and Occupational Health
- Maintain a broad knowledge of applied trade practices, techniques, and applicable rules and codes.
- Practical experience with locating, maintaining, and repairing underground utilities, including irrigation systems, storm water systems, fire suppression systems, and sanitary sewer systems.
- Familiarity with maintenance management software and electronic work request ticketing system.
- Familiarity with the operation of computers, portable electronic devices, and their related applications including login procedures, electronic mail, and text messages.
- Practical experience in the diagnosis and maintenance of hand-held tools and light/heavy equipment.
- Prior safety training in any of the following: Fall Protection Ladder Use Material Handling Bucket Truck Operation Excavation and Trenching Hazardous Waste Disposal Hoisting and Rigging Tree Trimming Chain Saw Operation, Forklifts Scaffold Use Confined Space Entry Bloodborne Pathogens Hazardous Substance Spill Awareness Personal Protective Equipment
Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to adapt to frequently changing work environments, conditions and work schedules
- Ability to work from general assignment and proceed with minimum supervision or direction from others
- Demonstrated ability to efficiently and safely operate and perform daily maintenance (greasing, checking fluids and tire pressure, etc.) on light-duty equipment including, but not limited to the following: Pick-up Truck with or without a plow Utility Work Machines with or without plow salt/sand broadcaster, blower, or broom Riding Lawn Mower
- Must be able to successfully demonstrate to Facilities personnel, the proficient use and safe operation of a zero-turn riding lawn mower, large area rotary mower, and utility work machine/utility task vehicle with a plow as a condition of employment.
- Knowledge of seed and fertilizer application, lawn maintenance, and grooming equipment.
- Must be able to perform tasks requiring the use of a respirator.
- Must be able to successfully complete a Respiratory Medical Evaluation.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff.
- Demonstrated commitment to contribute to a safe work environment.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities
Language Skills:Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to complete routine reports. Ability to effectively present information in one on one situations to customers or employees.
Mathematical Skills:Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Ability:Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of problems in standardized situations. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts & draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions in mathematical, diagram, written or oral form.
- Demonstrated ability to safely operate power hand tools and motorized equipment including chain saws, lawn sweepers, mowers, shears, top dressers, paint sprayers, and other related grounds care equipment.
- Ability to perform tasks involving climbing, lifting, handling of materials and
- supplies, moving furniture and equipment and working from ladders,
- scaffolds and a bucket truck.
- Knowledge and ability related to the safe handling and application of seed, fertilizer, and soil amendments used in turf maintenance and weed/pest control.
- Proven understanding of safe operating and maintenance procedures.
- Be able to perform duties in confined space.
- Excellent work attendance record.
- Good physical condition to enable safe, efficient, and sanitary performance of work, with or without accommodation.
- Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints.
Work Environment and/or Physical Demands
Work Environment:
- The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job the employee must occasionally work in elevated locations or in areas where chemical, biological, or physical hazards may be present. In addition, the employee may be required to work in other high hazard conditions including areas where fumes or particulates are present; areas where risk of electrical shock is present; or areas where moving mechanical parts may be present.
- The employee must regularly work in all outdoor weather conditions including blizzards, storms, hail, wind, rain, fog, extreme heat, extreme cold, and sunshine.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to very loud.
Physical Demands:
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and reach with hands and arms. While operating equipment, the employee may be expected to sit in the operator’s seat for extended periods of time. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle or feel an object; and taste or smell and be able to communicate with others via cellphone or radio.
- The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds; frequently lifting and/or moving more than 100 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.
Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment
Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.
Required University Training:
- Employee Safety Overview
- Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
- Annual Data Security Training
- Annual Title IX Training
Background Check:
Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)
Contractual. External candidates will receive the minimum amount $17.65 hr
Title of Position Supervisor
Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)
AFSCME Posting - 07/14/2026 - 07/20/2026
External Applicants are encouraged to apply, however internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates.
1st shift hours start between 5am and before noon - base rate only
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech’s hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or [email protected].
Other Conditions of Employment:
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.
Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.
In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfree campus environment and actively promoting the health and safety of its community. Find our notice that outlines the University's policies, legal sanctions, health risks, and available support resources related to the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.
