Groundsperson | Outdoor Associate

Groundskeeper AssociateThe 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. This position requires the ability to perform strenuous physical work outdoors in varying weather conditions. Candidates should be dependable, safety-conscious, and able to work both independently and as part of a team.1 Grounds Maintenance: 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. 2 Athletic Fields & Event Support: 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. 3 Landscaping & Plant Care: 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. 4 Safety, Training & Emergency Response: 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.Educational Requirements High School Diploma or GED. Required Experience 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 Educational Qualifications High School Diploma or GED. Preferred Experience 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.$15.75 per hour. Paid on a bi-weekly basis.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. 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. 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 a part of a team.The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2.Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of West Georgia as determined by the University of West Georgia in its sole discretion; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials, reference checks; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.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 ("protected 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.The mission of the University of West Georgia is to enable students, faculty, and staff to realize their full potential through academic engagement, supportive services, professional development, and a caring, student-centered community. The institutional mission and daily operation of the University of West Georgia are guided by our values that support our vision to be the best place to work, learn, and succeed: ACHIEVEMENT, CARING, COLLABORATION, INCLUSIVENESS, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, SUSTAINABILITY, and WISDOM.