Lead Groundskeeper

Lead Groundskeeper

Salary

$24.76 - $30.00 Hourly

Location

College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University - St. Joseph, MN

Job Type

Non-Exempt, Support Staff, Full Time

Job Number

02230

Department

Grounds - SJU

Opening Date

06/24/2026

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Position Summary

The Grounds team at Saint John’s University invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), benefit eligible position of Lead Groundskeeper.

Why Join Us?

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• 18 Paid Holidays Annually

• Generous Vacation and Sick Leave

• Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Tuition Remission for Eligible Dependents

• Employer Contributions to a Retirement Plan

• Employee Assistance Program with access to free or discounted counseling, legal guidance, financial coaching, and more

Join a committed team dedicated to safety, community, and service in a supportive and values-driven work environment.

To learn more about our benefits, visit csbsju.edu/jobs.

The Lead groundkeeper is responsible for the care and maintenance of all campus and monastic lawns, hedges, and trees, as well as all other duties associated with providing a well-maintained appearance to the campus and monastic grounds. This role performs routine maintenance and repair of all department tools and equipment. In addition, this person will be responsible for the day to day planning and the supervision of student employees, and provisional staff.

As essential staff, the Lead groundskeeper participates in snow and ice removal from roads, sidewalks, paths, and other areas. This position assists in snow removal planning and dispatch and responds to emergency situations outside of normal working hours.

Institutional Inclusion Visioning Statement

The College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint John’s University (SJU) believe that an excellent liberal arts education requires an understanding and appreciation of cultural difference and that everyone deserves to feel safe and morally valued. To that end, we will challenge our own practices and systems. Our commitment to an inclusive environment will be incorporated into all decision-making processes. We dedicate ourselves to cultivating an equitable, inclusive community founded on respect for all persons.

CSB and SJU offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits program (click the benefits tab above the position summary section to view more information). For further information regarding our institutions, visitCSBSJU ( .

The posted wage represents CSB and SJU's good faith estimate of likely compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will be dependent upon several factors, including the candidate's experience, qualifications, and skills, and may fall outside of the range indicated

Responsibilities

• Responsible for day to day operations, planning tasks for student workers and provisional employees with the assistance from the Grounds Director and other full time staff.

• Assist in supervising and training student employees in daily grounds tasks, including the proper and safe operation and preventive maintenance of equipment and power tools.

• Perform routine repair and maintenance of departmental tools and equipment as well as proactive maintenance and organization of the grounds shop and storage areas.

• Mowing, trimming, and raking of lawns.

• Assist with proper planting, pruning, trimming, and general care of trees.

• Assist with snow and ice removal to ensure safety of sidewalks, stairs, and parking lots, including hand shoveling.

• Assist with snow removal from roofs and set barricades and signage to protect areas from falling snow and ice as requested.

• Maintain and mark athletic fields for practices and events.

• Install and repair of pavers as needed.

• Routine maintenance of cemetery including, mowing, weeding, opening and closing of graves, leveling headstones and other duties as requested.

• Collect and remove campus refuse as assigned including disposal of furniture and other large items as requested.

• Perform other duties as assigned to help with the daily operation of the Grounds department.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent; two-year technical college degree in Horticulture, Landscape, or Grounds Maintenance preferred.

• Three or more years of experience in nursery/greenhouse operations, grounds maintenance, or landscape construction preferred.

• Hold or have the ability to obtain a DOT health card.

• Demonstrated working knowledge of basic equipment maintenance and repair; formal training in mechanical or small engine repairs preferred.

• Working knowledge of OSHA safety standards.

• Knowledge of horticulture methods and materials, landscaping, fertilizer and pesticide applications, and the cultivation of trees and woody plants, or a willingness to gain expertise in these areas.

• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills to help supervise student employees and work efficiently with staff, faculty, and members of the college and monastic communities.

• Hold current driver’s license and maintain satisfactory driving record.

• Availability during off-duty hours for campus snow removal, special events, and unexpected situations.

Physical requirements:

• Safely operate a variety of maintenance equipment, including chain saws, pole saws, mowers, leaf blowers, tractors, loaders, bobcats with different attachments, power equipment, trucks, snowplows, lifts, utility vehicles, field markers, ladders, and hand tools.

• Use appropriate safety equipment, such as harnesses, when climbing trees, working on ladders, or operating lifts.

• Perform physical tasks for extended periods, including lifting, pushing, pulling, stooping, reaching, squatting, and standing.

• Regularly lift or push objects up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 80 pounds.

• Work safely with and around hazardous chemicals and materials.

• Work outdoors year-round in varying and extreme weather conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, and cold, as well as on uneven terrain and over long distances.

Travel requirements:

• Occasional travel between the campuses of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University.

To Apply

Applications are accepted online by clicking on "Apply." Candidates are asked to complete the application form and submit a cover letter and resume.

If you require an accommodation to participate in the SJU hiring process, please contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io View email address on click.appcast.io ( .

It is the policy of SJU to conduct a pre-employment background check. An offer of employment is contingent upon a successful background check. Saint John's University also utilizes E-Verify as part of its onboarding process to confirm work authorization.

Saint John's University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employers.

The College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University (CSB/SJU) provides a comprehensive fringe benefit program. This brochure provides a summary of the current benefits offered at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Employees are eligible for coverage in the health insurance plan on the first of the month following date of hire. If you elect medical coverage for yourself, you may also choose to cover your eligible dependents. The employee and CSB/SJU share in the cost of this benefit.

DENTAL INSURANCE

Employees are eligible for coverage in the dental insurance plan on the first of the month following date of hire. If you elect dental coverage for yourself, you may also choose to cover your eligible dependents. The employee and CSB/SJU share in the cost of this benefit.

LIFE INSURANCE

CSB/SJU provides a Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) policy to employees. This insurance is effective on the first of the month following date of hire. The amount of term insurance provided is based on your annual salary.

You may also purchase additional life insurance in increments of one, two, three, or four times your annual salary. There is also a dependent life insurance package available.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY

After one year of benefit eligible employment, CSB/SJU provides disability coverage in the event of an illness or injury that prevents you from working.

VACATION

Paid vacation is accrued based upon FTE and the number of years employed. Vacation is cumulative from year to year to a maximum of 240 hours.

Employees working 100% time receive the following:

HOLIDAYS

Full-time employees receive 18 paid holidays a year.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS

HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT

These plans allow employees to set aside part of their salary on a pre-tax basis to pay for IRS approved expenses.

VISION PLAN

This voluntary plan offers affordable vision coverage for routine eye exams, eyeglass lenses and frames, and contact lenses. Discounts on hearing exams and hearing aids are also included.

TUITION REMISSION

Tuition remission is an educational benefit provided by CSB/SJU. A full time employee and spouse (if applicable) are eligible for tuition free educational benefits the first full semester after six months of employment. Full time employees may enroll for one undergraduate course per term, which includes summer; up to a maximum of 2 courses per year.

There is also a tuition remission program for dependent children of full time employees. This program provides a financial resource to a son or daughter for meeting the tuition costs of undergraduate education. Eligibility begins the fall or spring semester following 2 years (24 months) of continuous full-time employment.There are also two consortia programs in which CSB/SJU participate where employees' children may apply for scholarships to attend other colleges/universities.

Tuition assistance is also available at Saint John's Preparatory School for the dependents of full-time employees.

PARENTAL LEAVE

A paid leave (up to 15 days) will be granted to eligible employees upon the birth or adoption of a child, pro-rated based on FTE. New employees are eligible for this benefit after twelve months of employment.

SICK LEAVE

Full-time employees earn up to 9 days of sick leave per year, pro-rated based on FTE.

Sick leave is cumulative from year to year up to a maximum of 720 hours (90 days). Employees may also use accumulated personal sick leave to care for ill family members.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free counseling resource available to

all employees and immediate family members.

RETIREMENT

Defined Contribution Plan

CSB/SJU provides a retirement program for all qualified full time employees. The program is administered by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA).

Enrollment in the retirement plan will be effective the first day of the month following the date of hire unless the employee elects to opt-out.

The employee/employer contributions are as follows:

Year Employee Contribution CSB/SJU Contribution

1 3% 1%

2 3% 3%

3 3% 5%

4 3% 7%

5 3% 9%

Supplemental Tax Deferred Annuity Plan

In addition to the regular plan, a benefit eligible employee may voluntarily elect to contribute to this plan.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Saint John's University College of Saint Benedict

Human Resources Office Human Resources Office

Quadrangle 127 Schoenecker

Collegeville, MN 56321 St. Joseph, MN 56374

Phone View phone number on click.appcast.io Phone View phone number on click.appcast.io

Fax View phone number on click.appcast.io Fax View phone number on click.appcast.io

• Benefits subject to change annually Revised 11/22/24

01

Are you a U.S. citizen or legally eligible to hold employment in the U.S.? If you are offered employment, you will be required to complete a certification form and supply acceptable documentation to verify your identity and eligibility to be employed.

• Yes

• No

02

Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status? Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this position.

• Yes

• No

03

Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes

• No

Required Question

Employer

College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University, Order of Saint Benedict

Address

37 South College Ave

Saint Joseph, Minnesota, 56374

Phone

View phone number on click.appcast.io

Website