Groundskeeper II or III

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27170 For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Amber Pickette

amber.pickette@montana.edu

406-994-5454

Classification Title Groundskeeper II Working Title Groundskeeper II or III Brief Position Overview

Under general supervision of the Grounds Manager Groundskeepers maintain and improve campus landscapes and ecosystems with a focus on reducing longer term maintenance and providing outdoor learning opportunities for the communities we serve; maintain campus safety including responding to adverse weather; support large campus events such as sports and concerts; ensure infrastructure such as irrigation and storm water systems are functioning properly; and actively participate in support of programs such as Tree Campus USA and Waste and Recycling management.

Position Number 4N0449 Department Facility Services Division University Services Appointment Type Classified Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Non-Exempt Union Affiliation Laborers FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary Groundskeeper II - Minimum of $28.00/hr; Groundskeeper III - Minimum of $30.50/hr, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type Classified Hourly If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

The Landscape and Grounds section of Facilities is responsible for; minimizing the deterioration of campus grounds, maintaining the campus aesthetic, implementing campus landscape and grounds improvements, operating the recycling and solid waste programs, producing and reviewing plans and specifications for proposed construction projects, as well as evaluating finished construction as it relates to such specifications, and keeping the grounds free from physical hazards to campus users.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under general supervision of the Grounds Manager, the individual in this position operates a wide variety of specialized grounds maintenance, landscape construction, road maintenance, waste management, and snow removal equipment.

Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Turf management; tree and shrub maintenance and installation
• Street and sidewalk maintenance
• Landscape design and construction; greenhouse production; flowerbed design and maintenance; irrigation system design, installation and maintenance
• Street, sidewalk, and entryway snow removal and alleviation of icy hazards
• Outdoor environmental safety
• Weed and outside pest control, equipment repair and maintenance
• Maintaining and producing landscape inventories and other detailed records
• Waste/recycling collection, hauling and disposal
• Performing related duties as required

Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent, plus relevant post-secondary education in a landscape-horticulture/maintenance curriculum or related area and/or experience in a commercial grounds maintenance operation.

• Note: to be considered for a Groundskeeper III, a minimum of 2 years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) experience in a large-scale grounds maintenance operation is required.

• Experience in general commercial grounds maintenance operations.

• Demonstrated competence using personal computers and software, such as word processing, spreadsheets, electronic calendars, and email. Microsoft Office preferred.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Experience operating specialized landscape equipment such as backhoes, skid steers, dump trucks, roll-off trucks, large mowers (72" deck or larger) and other equipment.
• Experience and skill maintaining small engine machinery and performing incidental and emergency repairs on grounds maintenance equipment.
• Experience operating snow removal machinery.
• Experience in recycling/waste management practices.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Consistently exercise initiative and good judgment.
• Effectively and safely operate work-related equipment and tools.
• Accurately follow written and oral instructions and procedures.
• Communicate effectively with co-workers, supervisors, and clients in person, by phone, or electronically.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, and the public and be a successful team player.
• Provide excellent customer service; and represent the department and MSU to others in a professional and courteous manner.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

Must possess a valid driver's license, an acceptable driving record, and meet all State of Montana requirements to operate State/University vehicles. (If successful candidate possesses a valid out-of-state driver's license, must obtain a valid Montana driver's license within 60 days of hire.)

The work schedule is typically 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, but may vary greatly depending on departmental need. The person in this position may be called in for work at any time, particularly during the snow season. Snow removal operations may require a very early start time, with little prior warning. Weekend work will often be required.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship

Our benefits package includes:

• Medical / Dental / Vision
• Retirement
• Tuition waiver
• Annual and sick leave
• Holiday pay

Physical Demands

Essential duties of the position include the following:

• Application of herbicides and pesticides.
• Performing physically demanding work such as shoveling, post-pounding, etc.
• Transporting objects weighing up to 100 lbs., and working in dirty, dusty conditions, as well as inclement weather.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? No

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search Position End Date (if temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on November 24, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for sponsorship

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).