Groundskeeper

Join our vibrant community of dedicated faculty and staff who work to create a transformative educational experience rooted in faith, reason, and justice.

Eastern University is a nationally-recognized Christian university enrolling approximately 9,000 students in a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, professional, and seminary programs. The university’s main campus is located in St. Davids, PA, with many programs also offered online. Eastern’s core values of Faith, Reason, and Justice are woven into all of its educational offerings. Through dynamic programs, a vibrant campus community, and meaningful service learning opportunities, Eastern University is committed to providing students with transformative, accessible, and affordable education.

Position Description The Grounds Keeper, reporting to the Grounds Manager & Small Project Assistant, maintains and cares for the campus grounds with an emphasis on safety and aesthetics in a manner of environmental consciousness and utilizes the best management practices to care for the campus surroundings.

Position Responsibilities

• Mowing, trimming, weeding, leaf collecting, pruning, fertilization, irrigating/watering and all other duties as assigned to maintain the campus in a manner that is well manicured and pleasing to those who enter.
• Operate hand tools, power tools, and heavy machinery for landscaping projects or site improvements
• Conduct tree care activities including trimming, pruning, and removal to promote safety and aesthetics.
• Execute snow plowing or shoveling and de-icing during winter months to ensure safe pathways and parking areas
• Assists with the maintenance of the athletic fields to ensure the aesthetics, safety and all related aspects including but not limited to: fertilizing, mowing, aerating, slit seeding, top-dressing and dragging and/or grooming the fields.
• Safe application of fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicide to promote health and limit disease, pests, or fungus
• Maintain proper tree/branch and shrubbery clearances from buildings with respect to proper building clearances to reduce deterioration of exterior facades and clogging of gutters and downspouts, and from electrical and communication wires to preserve the operation of the campus.
• Work with student employees and other trades within Plant Operations as directed.
• Assist other departments as directed with office and furniture moves and event set-ups.
• Embody values of caring and compassion, justice and integrity, competence and affirmation.
• Assist with general maintenance tasks including equipment upkeep, trash removal, and minor repairs
• Seek to treat each member of the campus community with fairness, dignity and respect seeking a spirit of unity and harmony as we join together to achieve our common mission.

Qualifications

• Must have a minimum of 2 years of experience in professional grounds related services.
• Pesticide and Fertilizer Certification is preferred but not required, however the ability to obtain certification is required.
• Tree climbing experience is preferred but not required.
• Must be familiar with the installation and transplanting of plant materials.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Must be able to operate all types of landscape equipment (i.e. lawn equipment, chipper, chain saws, snow plows, ext.)
• Must be able to perform general service work on equipment in order to maintain proper operation (i.e. oil changes, grease fittings, change blades, replace string on weed-whackers, etc.).
• Ability to perform all tasks associated with general landscaping and grounds (i.e. pruning, mowing, aerating, slit-seeding, planting and digging ext.).
• Ability to work unsupervised.
• Ability to report to work and perform required duties for a minimum of eight (8) hours per day.
• It is essential that the incumbent exhibits and understanding of, and support for, the University’s evangelical Christian mission.

ADA Requirements: Ability To

• Frequently move, transport, lift, push/pull and maneuver up to 75lbs
• Frequently walk, stoop, kneel, climb, crawl, crouch and bend
• Frequently be able to reach and work overhead
• Fine hand manipulation
• Performs duties in tight confines
• Detect and locate leaks and differentiate between common odors related to trade (gas, diesel fuel, oil, anti-freeze, pesticides, fertilizer, etc.)
• Visually detect and discern the needed materials to perform work as described above
• Respond to and initiate verbal communications
• Diagnose by careful listening
• Differentiate by touch-hot /cold

Supplemental Information This description is intended to describe the general level and nature of work performed by the person/people assigned to this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities of the person/people so assigned.

Benefits

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time faculty and staff including healthcare coverage, retirement plan contributions, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, tuition remission and tuition exchange participation as well as an extensive holiday, summer hours and paid time off leave schedule.

Part-time Regular staff who are scheduled 30-36 hours per week over the course of a year, receive a full benefit package based on their part-time scheduled hours. Healthcare coverage is based on the ACA medical coverage guidelines. Affiliate faculty receive a benefit package as outlined with their covenant. Adjunct faculty may be eligible for medical coverage under the ACA after an annual one year lookback review.

Part-time staff who are scheduled to work less than 30 hours per week schedule are eligible for employer contribution towards the retirement plan after one year of employment. Eligibility rules apply. Adjunct faculty may make employee deferral contributions towards the retirement plan.

Part-Time Graduate Assistant Coaches are eligible for participation in the Tuition Remission Coaches Program.

Temporary, Contractors and Seasonal Employees: Individuals in this status are scheduled on an as-needed-basis and are not eligible for participation in the University’s benefits programs.

Detailed information regarding our benefits program and eligibility is provided once hired or you can contact Human Resources with any questions. About Eastern University

Eastern University is a Christian university of the arts and sciences that integrates faith, reason and justice for students in its undergraduate, graduate, seminary, urban, professional and international programs. Applicants should have a Christian commitment compatible with its mission and be willing to support the mission and vision of the university. The university complies with federal and state guidelines of nondiscrimination in employment; members of protected classes encouraged to apply.

Background Checks

Standard University employees are required to complete the background clearance process. Employment is contingent upon the successful results of an employment background screening. The employment background screening may include but is not limited to your consumer credit history (for positions that work with the university finances or alumni funds only), verification of education and professional credentials, criminal history, driving history, residency, immigration status, performance, references, and other qualities pertinent to your qualifications for the following position.

Youth Clearances are required for positions with direct contact with children and essential personnel positions. Employees working with or around minor age children are required to complete the youth clearance process which includes the following four child protection clearances:

1. Affidavit;
2. FBI Criminal Record Check;
3. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance and;
4. Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check.

In accordance with state laws, Act 73 of 2007, Act 153 of 2014, Act 168 (relating to the Child Protective Services Law), school employees of Eastern University who will have "direct contact with children" must complete the background check process prior to employment. Results must be submitted within ten days of receipt.

Description Disclaimer

This description is intended to describe the general level and nature of work performed by the person/people assigned to this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities of the person/people so assigned.

For all positions: Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Eastern University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity as defined under federal and state law, and does not discriminate unlawfully on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, color, creed, disability, national/ethnic origin, age, disabled veteran/Vietnam-era, Genetic Information and Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), or veteran status in its admission policy, program, or activities, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other University-administered programs, or employment practices and programs.