Groundskeeper
Job Information
Job Duties:
Two full-time university staff positions are available in Grounds Maintenance beginning Spring of 2026. The working title for this assignment is Groundskeeper with an official title of Groundskeeper. This is an expected-to-continue assignment which requires a six-month probationary period. The expected hourly hiring salary will be $17.00 an hour.
50% A. Maintenance of designated landscaped areas.
- Mow, trim, rake, edge, aerate and water lawn areas.
- Daily, pick up litter and other debris.
- Topdress, seed and sod lawn areas.
- Apply fertilizer, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides as required.
- Weed, till, edge and muIch shrub beds
- Plant, prune, transplant and remove trees and shrubs as directed.
- Operate and maintain underground irrigation systems.
- Guide student and Limited Term employees in implementation of maintenance activities.
- Monitoring designated area and creating solutions to problems/issues; prioritizing daily tasks based on events, weather, area use, etc.
20% B. Removal of snow and ice.
- Place and maintain snow marking posts, barricades, cones, barrels, etc., as needed to minimize winter damage
- Plow, brush and blow snow from roads, walks and lots with articulating tractors and wheel loaders.
- Shovel steps, ramps and walks.
- Spread sand and salt as required by means including by hand, truck, tractor, or utility vehicle spreader.
- Monitor, daily, for safe conditions on all pavements in both designated area all other walks, steps, roads, and lots of campus as needed.
15% C. Operation and maintenance of grounds equipment.
- Operate wheel and skid loaders and articulating tractors with specialized attachments for maintenance and construction projects (i.e: backhoe, trencher, landscape rake, tiller, augers, forks, brooms, various buckets and snow plow
- Drive dump and pickup trucks with trailer for hauling construction materials and trash.
- Operate other special equipment including: aerial bucket, tree spade, brush chipper, trenchers, air compressor, sod cutter, lawn edger, jack hammer, etc.
- Inspect, clean, grease, gas up, change oil and perform minor adjustments on. mowers and all small equipment and tools.
- Sharpen blades on mowers and chain saws.
- Assist Grounds Mechanic as required.
- Observe and execute safety practices and procedures.
15% D. Other maintenance and development projects.
- Clean and perform minor pothole repairs on roads and parking lots.
- Install and repair benches, waste containers, bike racks, signs, posts, fencing, barricades, and banners.
- Maintain hiking trails, gravel drives, stream bank, flood control structure; invasive removal and forestry work in Putnam Park.
- Complete special projects on athletic and recreation fields.
- Assist other shops and contractors on projects.
- Clean and organize Grounds Shop and storage areas.
- Assist in planting and maintenance of flower beds.
- Accurately maintain on-line work logs, time sheets and other records.
- Work individually or as a team, in coordination with Grounds Crew Lead, to accomplish work orders in a timely manner.
- Purchase small tools, supplies, and equipment.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Grounds Supervisor.
OTHER
- The regular work shift is 6:00 AM to 2:15 PM, Monday through Friday. During winter months or emergency situations (e.g. flooding, storm damage) overtime work on short notice is frequently required, which may involve being placed in call-back.
- This job involves Heavy Work (lifting 50lbs frequently and occasionally up to 100lbs).
- A valid Driver's License and a good driving record which meets State of Wisconsin minimum driving standards to operate University vehicles is required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Visual acuity to read product labels, manuals, computer screens and equipment instruments, to detect potential equipment failure and sufficient depth perception to judge distances for operating equipment around other vehicles, buildings, trees, coworkers and pedestrians on campus.
- Must be physically able to lift fifty (50) pounds, frequently, to one hundred (100) pounds, occasionally, in order to move such items as furniture, equipment or plant materials and to lift fifty (50) pounds to five (5) feet high in order perform tasks such as loading salt and fertilizer into spreaders and emptying garbage totes into dumpsters.
- Ability to perform tasks requiring bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, climbing and walking for significant distances over varying terrain in order to attend to hook up equipment and perform various maintenance tasks across campus.
- Must be physically able to push and control equipment such as lawn mowers, power rakes, fertilizer spreaders, rototillers, snowblowers, trenchers and concrete or soil-filled wheelbarrows.
- Ability to stand, walk and/or sit and continuously and attentively perform essential job functions for an eight-hour shift and overtime hours as required by the job. Overtime, often with little or no notice and often of six hours consecutive to the regular shift, is required during the winter months and as needed during other seasons (e.g.: windstorm clean-up or flood control operations).
- Must be physically able to lift your arms above your head and perform work above the head on a sustained basis in order to do work such as pruning trees and shrubs and changing mower blades.
- Sufficient manual dexterity to safely operate 2 cubic yard wheel loaders, skid loaders, 100 HP articulating tractors, dump trucks, mowers from 6' to 15' cut, spraying and pruning equipment, shop tools and grinders and to complete paperwork such as recording materials on work logs.
- Ability to perform duties within adverse weather conditions of cold, heat, dust, rain, etc. so as to remove snow and ice in winter and do necessary outdoor maintenance in summer.
- Hearing ability to detect audio alarms, distinguish mechanical sounds of engines, drive trains and attachments on tractors and other power equipment, communicate with the public and other university employees directly and by use of two-way radio and telephone.
- Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and scaffolding and work at heights above thirty {30} feet in order to operate an aerial lift, loader or dump truck and assist other shops In moving supplies and equipment.
- Ability to wear protective equipment such as safety shoes, gloves, hard hats, hearing protection, safety glasses with side shields and/or face shields in order to do various tasks such as grinding mower blades, spraying insecticides, and other assorted tasks.
- Ability to accept arid respond to being placed on-call and or/standby, which means reporting to duty within an hour of being called.
MISCELLANEOUS REQUIREMENTS
- Interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with the public, students, coworkers and other university employees.
- Ability to read English language sufficiently to understand work orders, operators manuals, on-line time sheets and logs, regulations and hazardous substance warnings.
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and the ability to meet UW Risk Management standards for driving a state vehicle.
- Ability to operate vehicles with manual transmissions in order to drive trucks or trucksters.
- Ability to orally communicate simple, factual information and directions clearly and concisely to complete assigned tasks, handle incoming telephone calls, and to communicate on two-way radios.
- Ability to work with and cooperate with supervisory staff at all levels in order to maintain a smoothly functioning work unit. This includes the ability to comply with all UW-System Work Rules.
- Ability to understand and apply Information presented in training programs, conferences, and/or professional literature in order to do your job safely and efficiently and to keep up with new regulations and procedures.
- Basic mathematical skills, Including addition, subtraction and multiplication, necessary for calculating pesticide calibrations.
- Ability to learn and perform all essential job functions accurately and safely with minimal direct supervision within the six-month probationary period.
- Analytical skills necessary to diagnose and correct basic mechanical failures of machinery and irrigation systems as well as understand the logistics of construction projects and more complicated maintenance projects.
- Sufficient long-term memory to be able to recall and apply policies, procedures and regulations of situations that arise irregularly or seasonally.
- Sufficient short-term memory to return to and accurately complete tasks after interruptions.
- Ability to attend work on a regular basis except for scheduled leave time as provided for by law.
- Ability to work overtime with little or no notice, particularly during the winter months when snow/ice removal operations are needed, and be able to remain alert, productive and effective during overtime work.
- Ability to obtain a Pesticide Applicators Certification within the first year of employment and to maintain it afterwards.
- Ability to use standard cleaning products and non-restricted use pesticides without adverse physical reaction.
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Installs, propagates, and maintains the health of new and existing plants and landscape using a variety of vehicles and equipment
- Identifies and acts to remedy plant diseases and insect damage
- Plans and directs the day-to-day operational activities of various lawn and landscape projects and staff
- Maintains clean and clear lawns, walkways, roadways, and parking lots to ensure they are free of debris, litter, snow, and ice
- Schedules and monitors staff and assists with basic training
- Assists with organizing the layout of planting sites, plant and material selection, research and evaluate new materials and equipment
Department:
The unit of Grounds Maintenance consists of 10 staff members including one landscape architect, auto mechanic, lead groundskeeper, 2 gardeners, and 5 groundskeepers.
Compensation:
$17/hour
Required Qualifications:
This position requires a thorough knowledge of horticultural, arboricultural and landscape construction practices. The ability to work with the public is important. This position involves the operation of heavy equipment around thousands of University students, employees and visitors. Work is performed under the direction of the Grounds Supervisor. Adherence to rules and regulations of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is required. The ability to interpret UWEC’s Integrated Pest Management program and Landscape Management standards; experience with grounds maintenance included but not limited to turf management, weed control, snow removal, and other landscape experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
Current Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator’s License, experience with turf management including mowing, weed whacking, fertilizer and broadleaf control applications, snow removal experience and operating some grounds maintenance equipment; demonstrates commitment to support and enhance the diversity and cultural and global awareness of students, faculty, and staff.
How to Apply:
Applications are submitted electronically. To ensure consideration, completed applications must be received by May 12th, 2026. However, screening may continue until position is filled. Please follow instructions found on the following UW-Eau Claire Website: http://wisconsin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UW_Comprehensives. You must create an account and login before you can apply. Please be sure you have included the following in PDF format:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Names and contact information for three references.
Contact Information:
Please direct requests for additional information to: allenjen@uwec.edu
INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW
UW-Eau Claire, an institution of approximately 9,000 students and 1,200 faculty and staff, is consistently recognized as a top comprehensive university in the Midwest and is widely known as a leader in faculty-undergraduate research and study abroad. We strive for excellence in liberal education and select graduate and professional programs through commitment to teaching and learning and dedication to our core values of diversity, sustainability, leadership, and innovation. To learn more about UWEC, visit https://www.uwec.edu/human-resources/employment-opportunities/ .
The City of Eau Claire, situated at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers, is at the center of a metropolitan area of approximately 100,000 people located 90 miles east of Minneapolis/St. Paul. The area features beautiful parks and trails, strong public schools, a vibrant arts scene and local food culture, and abundant recreational opportunities.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The university reserves the right to contact additional references with notice given to the candidates at an appropriate time in the process. Employment will require a background check. Employment will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding past conduct related to sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. §. 19.36(7).
The UW-Eau Claire Police Department is dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment for learning and working. Although crime at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is limited, the University Police want students, faculty and staff to be aware of crime on campus and the area surrounding the campus. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose annual information about campus crime. Visit Campus Security and Fire Report. Also visit our Campus Security Authority(CSA) policy.
UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.