Groundskeeper

Eastern Mennonite University is a private Mennonite liberal arts university in Harrisonburg, Virginia known for academic excellence and affordability with a focus on service, social justice, and global engagement. With more than 2000 students studying at our main campus in Harrisonburg, Virginia; at our Lancaster, Pennsylvania site; and online, EMU offers rigorous academic study at the undergraduate, graduate and seminary level.

EMU encourages students, faculty and staff to live their faith and values through service to others, peacemaking, cross-cultural engagement and sustainability. EMU also offers our employees the opportunity to embrace the educational experience for themselves and their dependents through tuition discounts, a university benefit.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, EMU is committed to enhancing our community and encourages applications from qualified individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who would deepen the diversity of the University.

Job Title: Groundskeeper

Department: Facilities Management

Supervisor: Grounds Supervisor

FLSA Classification: Non-exempt

Schedule: Regular, 12 mo., FT, M-F 7:30am-4pm

IPEDS Classification: 37

CUPA: 819010

Job Summary:

Groundskeeper performs landscaping tasks using power equipment and hand tools to maintain the facility grounds. The groundskeeper will also spend time performing repairs and routine and seasonal maintenance on vehicles and power equipment.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Mow lawn, trim weeds, and leaf removal.
• Trim bushes, shrubs, and hedges.
• Pick up and remove trash prior to mowing a designated area.
• Prepare soil and plant flowers, bushes, hedges, or shrubs.
• Plant, prune, cut, and remove trees when necessary.
• Apply fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides as directed.
• Complete snow removal tasks such as shoveling sidewalks, steps, and doorways as needed during winter months.
• Operates snow blower or snowplow to clear roads, driveways, and parking lots.
• Performs routine maintenance on power equipment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to operate various types of power equipment including lawnmowers, trimmers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, tractors, and other landscaping equipment.
• Ability to use hand tools required for landscaping
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to follow instructions and complete assignments.
• Demonstrated knowledge of landscaping techniques and processes.
• Excellent time management skills and organize job tasks and workload in order to meet deadlines, ability to complete work in a timely manner.
• Interpersonal skills for assisting others and working with coworkers.
• Ability to use a PC and software such as, Windows, Microsoft Office, and Google.
• Ability to operate commonly used office equipment such as a copy machine, fax, phone, etc.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with a wide variety of constituents.
• Ability to work outside of normal scheduled hours, including nights and weekends.

Education and Experience:

High school diploma and a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience. Experience in a higher education environment is preferred.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands and fingers, to handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 80 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The employee must occasionally travel to meetings and conferences off campus, which may include some overnight travel.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None