Roles

The Groundskeeper plays a vital role in preserving and enhancing Northwood University’s award-winning campus, recognized for excellence in beautification and landscape presentation. Spanning over 400 acres, with 70 acres of actively maintained grounds, this position goes beyond routine maintenance to actively support landscape enhancement, design implementation, and long-term environmental stewardship.

Through thoughtful planting, horticultural care, hardscape upkeep, and meticulous attention to detail, the Groundskeeper helps sustain the clean, vibrant, and inviting public spaces that distinguish Northwood University.

This role directly supports the University’s mission by maintaining safe, welcoming, and aesthetically exceptional outdoor environments for students, employees, and visitors year-round.

Responsibilities

Perform general grounds operations including but not limited to planting, seeding, weeding, application of herbicides, pruning, trimming, mowing and aeration.
Conduct proper watering, fertilizing, herbicide and pesticide applications directed by supervision and incompliance with State of Michigan certification requirements.
Operate grounds equipment including tractors, commercial mowers, weed trimmer, power edger, sweeper, snow blower.
Perform service, preventative maintenance and repair on all equipment listed above and other auxiliary equipment.
Attach and detach plows, power brooms, blades, mower decks and related equipment.
Perform snow removal plan including snow blowing, plowing, salting, shoveling and other procedures.
Perform additional duties which may be assigned by the Director, the Physical Plant Supervisor or the Maintenance Crew Leader.
Assist other maintenance personnel as required.
Set up and proper maintenance care of all athletic fields.
Be able to operate and repair any of the sprinkler systems in place on campus.
Participate in all aspects of campus beautification including, but not limited to:
- Landscape enhancement (planting, weeding, and maintaining beds) for year-around appeal.
- Aesthetic maintenance such as removing litter, debris, and graffiti.
- Horticultural care such as caring for season foliage, shrubs and trees.
- Hardscape upkeep cleaning of parking lots, sidewalks, parking lots (debris and painting).
- Maintaining clean, vibrant and inviting public spaces for all to enjoy. Curb appeal, pride and environmental stewardship are key.

Qualifications

Valid unrestricted Michigan Driver’s License.
State of Michigan certification in herbicide and pesticide application. (Within 90 days of hire)
Two years’ experience in the horticultural/landscape area or an equivalent combination of the technical training and experience.
Successfully pass pre-employment physical.
High school diploma or equivalent.

Physical Environment

A great deal of physical effort is involved in the following activities: walking, pushing, pulling, climbing and working off ladders, twisting, turning, reaching, squatting bending, kneeling, carrying heavy equipment and supplies weighing up to but not limited to 80 pounds, finger dexterity, visual acuity.

A great deal of mental processing is involved in the following areas; reading, remembering, observing and evaluating, reasoning, problem solving, measuring, communicating verbally and in writing, following written and oral directions.

Expectations

Good written and verbal communication skills.
The aptitude for successful completion of the characteristic job duties.
Ability to maintain good working relations with supervisors, co-workers and other Northwood University personnel.
Promptly report to work, fully ready to work during assigned shift
Obtain pesticide license.
Be able to work independently without constant direction.
Commitment to environmental stewardship.

Policy And Procedures

Adhere to all policies and procedures in the Northwood Employee Handbook and all interim policy or procedure put out by Northwood.
Must wear all PPE required by Northwood University any deviation can lead to disciplinary action
Adhere to all MiOSHA general construction guidelines

Northwood University has an institutional philosophy which emphasizes free enterprise in a context of limited government and individual responsibility. The ideal candidate will have a strong attraction to the mission and core values of Northwood University. Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the University’s outcomes at www.northwood.edu/aboutus/ .

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Groundskeeper