Grounds Maintenance Worker 2
POSITION SUMMARY
Date application must be received for priority consideration by: October 16,, 2026
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date: November 6, 2026
Closing Date or if blank, Open Until Filled
Job Family Group: Support Staff
Support Staff Classification Title: Grounds Maintenance Worker 2
Division/Department: Finance and Administration/Facilities, Management and Planning
Compensation Range (commensurate with experience): Salary Range 18, Steps 1-3, $20.19-$21.91/hourly or $3,499-$3,798 monthly @ 1.0 FTE
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Appointment Basis: 12-month
Time Type: Full-time
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Renewable/Non-renewable/Grants/Limited Duration/Temporary: Renewable
This position must possess and maintain a current, valid Driver License: Yes
This position is designated as a critical, security-sensitive or safety-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal Background Check: Yes
Lead Work/Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes
Work Location Type: On-campus
Work Hours: Generally 7AM to 4Pm. During inclement weather, the Landscape Department is required to perform snow/Ice removal tasks. Must be available for weather-related call-ins during these conditions. Hours are subject to change with notice.
Worker Status: Must be able to legally work in the United States without visa sponsorship
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT
- Each applicant is required to provide (as attachments to the online application) the following supplemental documents: (1) a letter providing some detail of the applicant’s qualifications and interest in the position; and (2) current resume/CV. - PLEASE NOTE - during the application process, you will be prompted to attach these documents in the area titled "Resume." Please either combine ALL documents into ONE attachment, OR upload each item separately in this section. Failure to upload ALL of the required documents may disqualify application from consideration.
- For inquiries and additional information, please contact Human Resource Services via email at [email protected] or by phone at (541)552-8553.
- To view SOU’s very generous benefits and pension programs available to eligible positions, please visit https://inside.sou.edu/assets/hrs/Benefits/Benefit_Flyer/2024_Prospective_Candidate_Benefit_Overview_012024.pdf
- Our benefits package is an important complement to the offered salary and our Total Compensation Calculator, https://inside.sou.edu/hrs/comp-calc.html, demonstrates our value and commitment to our employees.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
This position reports to the Landscape Department Coordinator and supports the Landscape Maintenance team through daily and seasonal grounds care across the SOU campus and Student Apartments and Family Housing (SAFH) properties. The primary focus of this role is the routine maintenance, appearance, and functional quality of campus landscape areas, including lawns, planting beds, trees and shrubs, hardscapes, and associated landscape systems.
This position performs a broad range of landscape maintenance tasks including mowing, edging, pruning, planting, mulching, aeration, fertilization, and chemical applications, while also participating in equipment operation, irrigation support, debris management, and seasonal snow and ice response. The role works closely with other Landscape staff to maintain safe, functional, and visually appealing campus grounds while supporting the long-term health, appearance, and usability of university landscape areas.
Facilities Management and Planning administers custodial services; building maintenance and alterations; utilities operations (heating and cooling); landscape services; capital construction review as it pertains to future maintenance; motor pool operations; property control and inventory; delivery services; stores operations and other support activities necessary for the benefit of administration and academic areas of the campus community. The SOU campus includes 175 acres of grounds, 140 of which are under active use and maintenance. Facilities Management maintains 21 major buildings comprising over one million square feet of building space. The department employs approximately 45 full time personnel and is responsible for approximately 9% of the total campus budget.
Minimum Requirements
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Pesticide applicator's license may be required based on position duties; AND
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Two years experience as a grounds keeper which included plant care; OR
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An Associate's degree in Landscape Technology or Horticulture; OR
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Completion of a Landscape Certification program or license in a horticultural specialty.
Preferred Requirements
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Landscape/Building Industry certificates, licenses, work experience, and/or class work completed.
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Trades/Technical School Degree or Associate Degree in a related field.
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Public Pesticide Applicator License through the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Must have the license category "Ornamental and Turf - Herbicide." Applicants must obtain this certification within 6 months of hire..
Essential Functions
Duties - The following examples are typical work activities that are meant to illustrate the general range of work functions and are not meant to be all-inclusive or restrictive:
(60%) Landscape Maintenance
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Plants, prunes, and fertilizes shrubs and trees.
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Advanced tree pruning and removal.
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Operates heavy equipment and light-duty commercial vehicles daily.
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Applies landscape mulch to shrub beds.
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Mows and edges lawns using appropriate equipment.
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Overseeds, fertilizes, aerates, top-dresses, and de-thatches lawn using the appropriate technique/equipment as directed.
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Identifies landscape or lawn problems (irrigation issues, pests, disease) and takes action to remedy/informs supervisor.
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Applies herbicides and insecticides as directed and under the supervision of Licensed Applicators on staff.
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Operates, installs, and repairs irrigation systems as directed.
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Removes leaves, brush from streets, steps, sidewalks, drains, lawns, landscape areas, and parking lots using the appropriate equipment as directed.
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Removes trash from all landscape areas and empties trash cans as directed.
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Transports litter, plant debris, and brush to bulk materials yard.
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Removes ice and snow from walkways, parking lots, and building entrances using plows, snow shovels, and other equipment as directed; applies granular and liquid de-icer as directed.
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(10%) Equipment Maintenance
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Maintains equipment according to Department procedures.
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Troubleshoots and performs minor repairs on landscape maintenance equipment.
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Refers major repairs to the Landscape Coordinator or Landscape Supervisor.
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(30%) Other Duties
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Works with groups of Student and Temp Workers as an occasional 'Crew Lead' - establishes project-specific work goals and provides clarifications to Supervisor instructions on an as-needed basis.
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Cleans Landscape Dept. Shop, vehicles, and equipment weekly.
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Attends meetings and training seminars.
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Maintain work files and records as requested.
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Interacts with faculty, staff, students, parents, agencies and private vendors in a courteous and respectful manner.
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Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
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Excellent communication skills; demonstrated ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.
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Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism to effectively handle a broad range of sensitive interpersonal situations.
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Demonstrated ability to interpret and consistently apply a wide variety of complex policies and procedures where specific guidelines may not always exist.
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Expressed ability to work with frequent changes in policies and procedures, under pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
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Strong analytical and research skills; demonstrated ability to gather, evaluate, and to develop well-reasoned conclusions and recommendations.
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Demonstrated ability to proactively assess work operations and anticipate potential problems; ability to develop and implement strategies for preventing/resolving problems.
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Great ability to effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature that requires access to information. Must be able to exercise sound judgment and discretion, tact, and diplomacy.
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Takes initiative in independently planning, organizing, and performing work assignments within broadly defined parameters
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Demonstrated ability to work with a high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail.
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Excellent organizational and time management skills with the demonstrated ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
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Expressed skill to independently analyze software functionality through technical documents, and design and document efficient/effective work processes; ability to independently analyze software problems, test probable causes, and recommend sound solutions.
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Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, online systems, social media platforms, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
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Demonstrated ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
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Willingness to and work effectively in a heavily bureaucratic environment which requires regular interaction with a number of levels within the organization and multiple outside agencies.
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Working knowledge or ability to quickly learn, university infrastructure, policies, and...