ABOUT WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY:

Willamette University, founded in 1842, is a nationally-renowned private university enrolling 2800 students across five colleges. Our historic campus, adjacent to the Oregon State Capitol, hosts a distinguished undergraduate liberal arts college in Salem, Oregon. Our downtown Portland campus is home to the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA). We offer a wide range of professional graduate programs, including Oregon’s top-ranked MBA program, the Northwest’s oldest law school, as well as MA/MFA programs at PNCA and master’s degrees in data science and computer science.

Willamette University provides a high-value and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our Benefits Summary includes options for health, dental, life insurance, retirement, substantial paid time off, tuition and more. If you need assistance applying for a job or have any questions on recruitment at Willamette, please contact our HR Department, hr@willamette.edu or call us at 503-370-6210.

POSITION SUMMARY

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Inspects and monitors University grounds areas to determine levels of maintenance required and performs the needed grounds maintenance tasks using industry recognized practices.

• Must possess a basic knowledge of industry accepted horticultural practices, procedures, and methods such as planting, transplanting, pruning, trimming, watering, fertilizing, and/or applying pesticides.

• Performs a wide variety of turf and athletic field maintenance duties. 

• Assists other grounds staff in performing irrigation system tests, adjustments, repairs and modifications. 

• Operates and maintains all hand and/or powered equipment in accordance with State and Federal OSHA rules and regulations.

• Assists special event activities or emergency situations as directed.

• Practices integrated pest management procedures at all times.

• Dresses appropriately, wearing University-provided uniform articles, and arrives on time for each shift

• Performs grounds snow and/or ice control activities as needed and as directed by the Grounds Manager.

• Subject to after-hour call back for emergencies as assigned.

• Performs other duties as assigned. 

• Must possess knowledge of hazards and safety precautions related to grounds maintenance, or landscape construction and the use of power tools and equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential duties of this position.

• Carry out written and verbal instructions in English with minimal supervision.

• Set job and task priorities, prepare pesticide reports, maintain brief job records, and keep inventory records.

• Apply horticultural practices, procedures, and methods such as planting, transplanting, pruning, trimming, watering, fertilizing, and applying pesticides to a wide variety of trees, shrubs, ground covers, bedding plants and turf grasses.

• Identify plant and turf pests.

• Operate various hand and power tools and equipment involving dexterous use of both hands and feet simultaneously.

• Operate automobiles, tractors, trenchers, aerial platforms, brush chippers, top dresser, aerators, and riding and walk-behind mowers on and off the public highway/street systems and university properties.

• Have the knowledge and training in the safety hazards and precautions associate with this position and other grounds maintenance functions.

• Must have knowledge of and be able to use the appropriate PPE (Personal protective equipment) as needed.

• Must have the ability to safely lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds from ground level to four foot heights 30 times each work shift; exert physical force in excess of 50 to 100 pounds for 30% of each work shift

• Must have the ability to safely carry a 40-pound backpack blower continuously for two hours each work shift.

• Must have the ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions for extended periods of time in an environment containing dust, odors, pesticides and high level of noise (>85dB), rain, snow/ice, and wind.

• Must have the ability to work while bending and stooping for extended periods of time, as well as from above ground areas such as; ladders, aerial platforms and/or scaffolds.

• An employer-paid pre-placement physical required.

• Must have the ability to work independently as well as establish and maintain harmonious relations with other staff, faculty and students.

• Must have the ability to effectively interact with a variety of people in a manner that emphasizes strong customer service and portrays the University’s programs, personnel and philosophies in a positive manner.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school education preferred.

• Two years grounds, turf, or tree maintenance experience.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Safely lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds from ground level to four foot heights 30 times each work shift; exert physical force in excess of 50 to 100 pounds for 30% of each work shift

• Safely carry a 40-pound backpack blower continuously for two hours each work shift.

• Work outdoors in all weather conditions for extended periods of time in environments containing dust, odors, pesticides and high level of noise (>85dB), rain, snow/ice, and wind.

Salary: $20.32/ hour

You will need to upload the following documents as part of your application materials in the "My Experience" section labeled Resume:

• Cover letter addressing the required/desired qualifications and presenting any other applicant characteristics which deserve emphasis

• Current Resume

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as received until the position is filled.
 

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Typical work schedule: Various depending on department needs, an employee may work day shift, swing shift, or night shift. Not all shifts are work Monday-Friday.

BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENT:
All University positions require that candidates submit to a criminal conviction record check prior to hire. Conviction does not automatically preclude candidates from being hired. Nature of conviction will be considered relative to the duties of the position.
 

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS:

Please read the following carefully before beginning the online application process. To be considered for employment at Willamette University, please complete our online employment application. Your application and all required attachments -- listed at the bottom of the page -- must be submitted for each individual job post that you are interested in applying. Once you submit your application you will not be able to edit your application.