Groundskeeper

Furman University - Greenville, SC

Full-time - Entry Level

Greenville, SC

Educational Services

About the position

The Groundskeeper position at Furman University is responsible for maintaining the grass, shrubbery, flowers, trees, and the overall appearance of the campus property. This role involves a variety of tasks that ensure the campus remains clean, safe, and aesthetically pleasing for students, staff, and visitors. The Groundskeeper will work under variable weather conditions and will be required to operate various tools and equipment to perform their duties effectively.

Responsibilities

• Maintains the grass on campus property by mowing, using tractor mowers, push mowers, and 7 gang mower.
• Operates weed eaters, edgers, and clippers.
• Aerates, sods, and seeds using tractors, spreaders, tillers, etc.
• Waters grass using irrigation systems, water trucks, sprinklers, and hoses.
• Picks up litter, limbs, dead animals, etc. using shovels, sticks, brooms, and hands.
• Sprays chemicals to kill weeds and treat diseases and to fertilize using backpack sprayers or tractor sprayers.
• Vacuum or rake leaves using vacuum units, rakes, or backpack leaf blowers.
• Clears lots as needed using bush hog.
• Maintains shrubbery, plants, trees, and flower beds by pruning flowers, shrubs, and trees using hand or gasoline powered shears, chainsaws, and ladders or bucket trucks as necessary.
• Plants flowers, shrubs, and trees using shovels, spades, backhoes, etc.
• Mulches and weeds shrubbery and flower beds.
• Sprays chemicals to kill weeds, diseases, or to fertilize plants using backpack or hand sprayers.
• Removes shrubs, flowers, and tree stumps using backhoes, shovels, and stump grinders.
• Trims limbs on campus trees using chainsaws, pole clippers, and bucket trucks.
• Maintains cleanliness of walkways, parking lots, and lake by blowing leaves and grass from the sidewalk/parking lot/road using backpack blowers, push blowers, vacuum trucks, and tractors with blower attachments.
• Cleans out storm drains by using shovels to remove leaves, sand, and dirt.
• Maintains the lake by skimming the water to remove debris, dead animals, etc. and by using a motorboat to trap and assist injured ducks and swans.
• Shovels snow/ice from walkways as necessary.
• Maintains grounds equipment by washing mowers, tractors, etc.
• Sharpens blades and checks oil, fuel, and filters for cleanliness or replacement.
• Maintains and repairs grounds irrigation systems by repairing broken sprinkler heads, valves, pipes, etc.
• Clears blockages from valves and pipes and inspects and services automatic sprinkler control devices, electric and hydraulic systems, and pumping systems.
• Completes additional duties assigned by supervisor.
• Completes performance review process with supervisor/employees to understand job performance expectations and how they fit into the department and university goals.
• Communicates openly and recognizes contributions of co-workers and supervisor.
• Pursues professional development to keep pace with demands for services and information.

Requirements

• High School graduate with 1 - 2 years experience in related field.
• Ability to read and understand instructions for the use of machinery, chemicals, and seed/fertilizer.
• Valid S.C. Drivers License.
• Experience in the operation of grounds tools/equipment.

Nice-to-haves

• Horticultural degree or equivalent experience preferred.