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Position Title:Groundskeeper I

Job Group:Merit

Required Minimum Qualifications:• One year of experience in operating the machinery and tools used in groundskeeping work or any combination of related experience and education from which comparable knowledge and ability can be acquired which totals one year.

Preferred Qualifications:- Commercial certification tests (30T-Ornamental and Turf) for application of pesticides.

- Certification or formal training in turf management, irrigation, or horticulture.

- Experience in public gardens, parks, golf courses, or similar environments.

- Experience with event preparation and grounds maintenance.

Job Description:

Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University is seeking a motivated and reliable Groundskeeper I to join our horticulture team. This position plays a key role in maintaining over 7 acres of various lawn areas, including formal event spaces, native and low-mow turf alternatives, and garden buffer zones. The ideal candidate will have experience in grounds maintenance , irrigation and turf care, preferably in settings such as public gardens, golf courses, or parks.

Key Responsibilities:

+ Maintain turf areas through mowing, trimming, aerating, top dressing, and monitoring for pests and water needs.

+ Restore turf following damage from animals, equipment, or major garden events.

+ Operate equipment such as garden tractors with attachments, push mowers, trimmers, and blowers.

+ Support horticulture team during seasonal projects such as planting, pruning, mulching, and cleanup.

+ Perform basic garden bed maintenance (weeding, mulching shrub and tree areas).

+ Monitor plant health and hardscape conditions, reporting or addressing issues as needed.

+ Lead garden irrigation system start-up, shutdown, repairs, and efficiency adjustments.

+ Conduct seasonal groundskeeping such as debris removal, drain clearing, and snow removal.

+ Maintain garden water features and assist with basic equipment upkeep.

+ Participate in on-call snow removal rotation approximately one week per month (October–April).

+ Lead and support seasonal staff and volunteers in garden maintenance tasks and turf care techniques.

+ Lead and support major annual event setup and teardown, especially monitoring and organizing inventory to/from storage.

+ Participate in evening work to support  major annual events like Spirits in the Garden and Winter Wonderscape ,  approximately one weekend in October and one weekend in December.

+ Provide friendly and helpful customer service to visitors.

About the Department:

Reiman Gardens is a public botanical garden located on the Iowa State University campus in Ames, Iowa. Our mission is to educate, enchant, and inspire an appreciation of plants, insects, and the beauty of the natural world, with a vision of becoming a premier university botanical garden. The Groundskeeper I position is essential to preserving the beauty and functionality of our outdoor spaces, helping to ensure a memorable and inspiring experience for all who visit.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Operates garden equipment with attachments such as mowers, material handling bucket and forks and snow plows to landscape and maintain grounds including lawn areas, sidewalks, parking lots and streets.

• Maintains attachments and makes minor emergency repairs.

• Operates and maintains power and hand equipment, such as backpack blowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, tillers, drills, drivers, and saws.

• Assists in the cultivation and care of shrubs, trees and flowers as directed.

• Operates trucks and other transportation equipment as required .

•  Responds to calls for emergency service , including snow removal  and irrigation repairs , as required .

• Installs winter lights, such as string lights and spotlights, for winter event.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions and specifications.

• Ability to safely operate and maintain equipment and hand/power tools.

• Ability to apply various groundskeeping techniques to different work situations.

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to crouch, carry, balance, bend, reach, grasp, and perform fine motor tasks.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Appointment Type:Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Pay Grade:5731a

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)• Life insurance and long-term disability• Flexible Spending Accounts• Various voluntary benefits and discounts• Employee Assistance Program• Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date: July 23, 2025

Posting Close Date:August 6, 2025

Job Requisition Number:R17455

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.