Groundskeeper - Associate

Job Summary The Groundskeeper Associate supports the maintenance and appearance of campus grounds to ensure a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for students, faculty, and staff. This entry‑level role includes routine tasks such as trash collection, mowing, weed eating, edging, blowing, and leaf removal. Associates assist with planting and pruning trees and flowers, watering plants, and applying herbicides and pesticides in accordance with safety guidelines. Responsibilities also include preparing and maintaining athletic fields, including painting and game‑day setup, as well as assisting with setup for special campus events. The role may involve emergency response cleanups, such as storm debris removal, to help restore safe conditions quickly. Candidates should be dependable, safety‑conscious, and able to work both independently and as part of a team. Responsibilities Perform routine maintenance of campus grounds, including mowing, weed eating, edging, blowing, trash collection, and leaf removal. Operate, inspect, and maintain landscaping equipment to ensure all tools are safe, functional, and all outdoor areas remain clean, orderly, and visually appealing. May be instructed to work outside of the usual landscape area assigned as needed. Maintain athletic fields by preparing surfaces, painting lines, and ensuring fields are game ready. Assist with setup and breakdown for special events, helping ensure campus grounds are properly arranged and presentable. Assist with planting, pruning, and maintaining trees, shrubs, and flowers. Support watering schedules and apply herbicides and pesticides according to safety guidelines to promote healthy plant growth and landscape sustainability. Help maintain a safe and healthy campus environment by following proper procedures and guidelines. Complete and maintain all required training related to safety, equipment use, and chemical applications. Respond to emergency cleanup needs, including storm debris removal or other urgent situations, to quickly restore safe conditions. Required Qualifications High School Diploma or GED. No prior groundskeeping experience is required. Some experience in general labor, landscaping, farming, construction, or other outdoor work is helpful but not necessary. The position requires the ability to perform physically demanding tasks outdoors and follow verbal and written instructions. A willingness to learn the safe operation of grounds equipment and basic landscape maintenance practices is essential. Previous use of tools such as mowers, weed eaters, or blowers is preferred but not required, as training will be provided. Preferred Qualifications High School Diploma or GED. Previous experience in landscaping, grounds maintenance, or outdoor labor is helpful. Familiarity with equipment such as mowers, weed eaters, blowers, or edgers is a plus. Experience working on athletic fields, planting or caring for plants, or assisting with irrigation is also beneficial. Any prior use of landscaping tools or related safety training is preferred but not required. Proposed Salary $15.74 hourly. Paid on a bi‑weekly basis. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Ability to perform heavy manual labor for extended periods, often under adverse climatic conditions. Ability to understand and follow specific oral and written instructions. Ability to establish and maintain effective relationship with employees and others. Listens to instructions and asks necessary questions to complete tasks. Communicates with fellow workers in a manner that allows work to be completed. Interacts with others in the work area in a manner that encourages accomplishment of work tasks and has the ability to work as part of a team. Physical Requirements / Atmospheric Conditions: Conditions that affect the respiratory system, such as gas, fumes, odors, dust, mites, gases, or poor ventilation. Hazards - Include a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current or exposure to chemicals. Lifting up to 20lbs or greater. Outdoor Environment - Work outdoors and may not be protected from weather conditions. Basic knowledge of tools, equipment, material, and supplies associated with basic grounds keeping. Equal Employment Opportunity Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (USG). The Board of Regents prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status. No individual shall be excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under any USG program or activity because of the individual's protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual's protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law. #J-18808-Ljbffr University of West Georgia