Groundskeeper

Company Description

Augsburg University has maintained a strong academic reputation defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies since 1869. A safe and welcoming campus in the heart of Minneapolis, Augsburg offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to nearly 3,200 diverse students.

Augsburg's mission is to educate students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community that is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.

Augsburg invites individuals who share our mission and commitment to intentional diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to join our community. In particular, Augsburg invites BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, women, veterans and those from underrepresented or marginalized backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Job Description

The Groundskeeper is responsible for grounds maintenance of the 24-acre College campus. General responsibilities include sustainable landscaping and grounds maintenance of the campus, including regular weed picking, lawn maintenance, trash room cleaning, outdoor trash removal, planting bed maintenance, shrub and tree maintenance, snow removal, and general supervision of student groundskeeping work crews.

Primary Responsibilities

Landscaping and Lawn Maintenance

• Maintains the general landscape of the campus including working with landscape designers, installing new beds, erecting and maintaining landscape retaining walls.
• Maintains all lawn areas of the campus, including spring clean-up, arranging for minimal use of proper herbicide, pesticide, and fertilizer applications, turf irrigation, weed picking, mowing turf areas regularly, and fall clean-up.
• Provides recommendations regarding sustainable practices and natural surroundings.

Planting Bed, Shrub, and Tree Maintenance

• Plans and arranges for the purchase of all plant bed materials in collaboration with landscape consultant, performs spring planting of the beds, provides for proper bed irrigation, maintains beds throughout the growing season, and coordinates fall clean-up.
• Maintains a campus tree inventory, arranges for removal of diseased and damaged trees, performs seasonal pruning of shrubs and trees, purchases and plants all shrub and tree materials.
• Ensures plant, shrub, and tree purchases are managed within specified annual budget.

Snow Removal

• Responsible for the coordination of all snow removal from University-owned streets, sidewalks, pathways, entry-ways, parking lots, and general access areas of the campus. This includes appropriate application of ice melting and sanding materials.

Crew Supervision

• Responsible for recruiting, training, and supervising appropriate student work crews to support the operation of the campus groundskeeping care.
• Schedules and manages student work hours within specified annual budget.

Additional Responsibilities

• As directed by the Facilities Management Director, provides coordination, crew supervision, and work oversight for seasonal athletic field air structure installation and de-installation.
• Miscellaneous Duties: All other miscellaneous responsibilities as assigned, including but not limited to, the coordination of the erecting and take down of the University athletic field air structure.
• Repair and maintenance of mowers, weed whips, bobcats vehicles, and other equipment.
• All other duties as apparent or assigned by supervisor(s).

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Two years vocational/technical college training in horticulture/general landscaping or 5+ years' experience in grounds maintenance of similar size and complexity of the University campus.
• Knowledge of sustainable landscaping and grounds maintenance practices.
• General knowledge of small engine repair and maintenance.
• Valid Minnesota Driver's License.
• Ability to work on call for snow removal.
• Ability to work within institutional health and safety procedures.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a diverse work environment.
• Ability to be attentive to details, be accurate, be precise, be timely.
• Ability to work in a team environment; work independently with little or no supervision.
• Ability to show initiative; reason/analyze; maintain confidentiality and demonstrate patience, understanding.
• Ability to multi-task and organize workflow; manage one or more multiple projects; and handle frequent interruptions.
• Ability to lead/teach preferred.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Frequent seeing, standing, talking, walking.
• Occasional carrying of up to 80 pounds.
• Occasional driving, hearing, lifting, pulling, reaching, repetitive motions.
• Occasional stooping, sitting, kneeling, smelling.
• Infrequent balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching.
• Infrequent feeling, fingering, grasping.
• Exposure to temperature extremes: snow removal.

Additional Information

All applicants must attach the following for consideration:

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

Benefits at Augsburg

Augsburg University offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards program including:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• A generous 403(b) matching program with an employer contributions of up to 8% upon eligibility
• Up to 100% tuition remission for employees, spouses and dependents, and participation in the Tuition Exchange program with colleges and universities throughout the US
• Generous paid time-off, including 14 paid holidays, 12 sick days, 2 community service days, and vacation of up to 22 days per year immediately upon hire
• Employer-paid STD, LTD and life insurance
• Enhanced Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees

Augsburg's Statement regarding COVID-19 Vaccinations

For the safety of our students, employees and the community in which we live and work, Augsburg requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For individuals who are unable to be vaccinated due to religious or medical reasons, Augsburg offers exemptions and accommodations.

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Statement

Augsburg is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, or any other protected class.

Augsburg University is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, familial status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or public assistance status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at phone number: 612-330-1058 or email: hr@augsburg.edu.