Groundskeeper I

• Provides manual labor required to maintain grounds, trees, shrubs, flower beds, other plantings, landscape forms, and vehicle and pedestrian accessways throughout the University.

Major Duties

• Removes trash, rubbish, biohazards, and debris from grounds, walkways, parking lots and structures, external receptacles, and other surfaces and structures in assigned areas/regions.
• Maintains shrub beds and tree wells, removing leaves and other debris, turning dirt and/or mulch, and trimming edges.
• Weeds and waters flower beds and waters lawns and other grassy areas, as well as areas of groundcover and other plantings.
• Mows and trims lawns and other grassy areas, and prepares plant beds for planting/installation of trees and shrubbery.
• During winter months, removes snow and ice from walkways, porches, steps, and other structures.
• Daily maintenance of campus grounds, greenery and landscaping.
• Sets up indoor and outdoor facilities for University events.
• May assist in removing dead or diseased trees, shrubs, or other plantings; trimming and removing dead or damaged limbs; installing major plantings and new trees and shrubs; and other care and maintenance of flora on campus.
• Maintains the work area, all tools, all equipment, all supplies, and any assigned vehicles in a neat, clean, and orderly condition, and performs all work in accordance with established safety practices.
• Performs appropriate operational checks of all power tools and equipment before, during, and after each use.
• This position performs additional duties as requested by supervisory personnel.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent from an accredited institution.
• Ability to read and comprehend written instructions and safety regulations regarding the performance of job duties and ability to understand and comply with oral instructions.
• Sufficient writing ability.
• Possession of a valid Michigan driver's license.
• Obtain a valid Michigan Department of Agriculture Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License, with ornamental (category 3B), and right-of-way (category 6) endorsements by the end of their 40 day training period.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job and use the tools of the trade.
• Ability to complete a physical examination administered by the employer's designated physician.

Desired Qualifications

• One or more years of professional and/or institutional grounds experience.
• Prior experience in the operation of power landscape maintenance tools.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Bid Procedures:

All University employees represented by AFSCME Local 1668, and non-AFSCME regular and temporary University employees, who have the present ability or required qualifications to satisfactorily perform the required work, may exercise bidding privileges on this position.

• Current AFSCME employees must complete the on-line WMU - AFSCME (bid) Sheet only.
• Non-AFSCME University employees must submit an on-line WMU - Internal Application only.
• Temporary University employees must submit an on-line WMU - Application only.

Additional Position Information

• Western Michigan University offers generous benefits to its employees including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement, and tuition discount for the employee and tuition remission for eligible dependents. To access information about the specific benefits available for this position, go to:
• Above is a summary of the description for the position of Groundskeeper I. A complete description for this position may be reviewed upon request in the department of Human Resources, Room 1300, Seibert Administration Building or online at:

• This is a first (1st) shift position. The regular work hours for this position are 6:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. The regular work days are Monday through Friday, with Saturday and Sunday off.
• Per the AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement, Groundskeepers I will be advanced to the M-2.5 classification upon completion of required spray certifications.

Physical requirements and working conditions

• Must wear MIOSHA-approved safety shoes at all times, and must wear a hard hat and safety glasses as required by MIOSHA rules when operating power equipment.
• Ear plugs are required when operating tools/equipment producing noise levels exceeding MIOSHA standards.
• Other protective gear must be worn when appropriate.
• Must wear no loose-fitting clothing, which might become entangled in equipment, posing a hazard to incumbent's safety.