Grounds Person

Kenyon College is conducting a search for a qualified candidate to fill the position of Grounds Person to maintain athletic fields, snow removal, weeding, mulching, pruning, and a wide variety of tasks working independently or as a member of a group, to maintain college-owned property and campus grounds, including trees, shrubs, and flower beds; present a hazard-free and overall clean and neat campus appearance. Individual must understand that it may be necessary to work overtime, in order to provide a safe campus for students. Some activities are, but not limited to snow removal, icy situations, flooding, removal of storm damaged trees, and other acts of God.

This is a full-time position with benefits. The starting pay is $15.00 per hour. After the successful candidate completes a 60 day working probation period, the wage will increase to $19.77 per hour. This position works Monday - Friday, 7:30am – 4:30pm, with a one-hour unpaid lunch.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Mow and trim lawn areas, athletic fields, and other areas under maintenance by using tractors, power driven mowers, trimmers, and hand mowers.
• Pick up litter and trash on campus grounds and athletic fields.
• Maintain and improve campus grounds through grading of terrain, seeding and sodding, irrigation, aeration, soil testing, and the application of disease and weed control chemicals, fertilizer, and insecticides.
• Maintain campus paths, roadways, and parking areas, including but not limited to grading of paths, spreading of gravel, sweeping, and removal of snow and ice using hand shovels and snow plow equipment.
• Plant and maintain shrubbery, trees, and flower beds, including pruning, mulching, disease, insect, and weed control, watering, fertilization, and the removal of dead leaves, branches, and plant materials.
• Perform preventative maintenance, calibration checks, and make necessary adjustments on equipment before operating same.
• Wash vehicles and equipment and perform light maintenance and servicing of same.
• Perform tasks for which the incumbent is specifically trained and/or certified, such as spraying controlled chemicals on lawns, shrubbery, and trees.
• This incumbent will have specific knowledge and ability in maintenance of trees, including but not limited to disease and insect control, pruning, cabling, climbing, fertilization, and planting.
• Assist and participate with the College’s composting processes.
• Act as a group leader when so designated by supervisor.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• High school graduate or GED equivalent.
• Background and experience in commercial grounds maintenance, whether through work experience or educational training.
• Experience and knowledge of safely operating tractors, mowers, snow plows, chainsaws, weed-eaters, and other various hand and power tools, vehicles, heavy equipment, and the general safety requirements for use and operation of same.
• Must be able to work independently and with minimum supervision using good judgment.
• Ability to comprehend and follow verbal and/or written instructions.
• Must be able to climb ladders, lift, carry, and move materials, supplies, tools, and equipment to the completion of work, such as bleachers, soccer goals, etc.
• Must be able to read and understand landscape plans.
• Must have a valid Ohio driver’s license and be accepted by the College’s insurance provider to operate and work from various types of vehicles.
• Must possess a current pesticide license issued to the candidate by the State of Ohio.

This job description is to provide for the best possible candidate for the position:

• Different disciplines may be required at any given time. The College reserves the right to emphasize one of the disciplines as needed at the time of hiring. These include but are not limited to the following:
  • Turf grass experience – As it relates to the establishment and maintenance of high quality turf, such as sport turf fields.
  • Tree maintenance experience – As it relates to the pruning, climbing, spraying, and removal of tress. As well as the operation of any power equipment used in trees, if necessary.
  • Equipment experience – As it relates to the operation of commercial mowing equipment, forklifts, front-end loaders, leaf removal equipment, lifts, skid steers, trucks, and tractors. Some mechanical ability is necessary.
  • Horticultural experience – As it relates to care and maintenance of shrub beds, such as pruning of shrubs and small tress, weed control in bed area, mulching, fertilization, planting, watering, and pesticide use. Possess a pesticide license issued by the State of Ohio or take a trained serviceman training.

Employment at Kenyon is contingent upon a successful background check.

Kenyon College is an equal opportunity employer and applications from members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged. It is the College's policy to evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical and/or mental disability, age, religion, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local, or federal law. Kenyon College has a strong commitment to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion. Please visit our Diversity at Kenyon website.