Groundskeeper

Job Title

Groundskeeper

Job Description Summary

Haverford College invites applications for our full-time (40 hours per week), non-exempt, benefits-eligible Groundskeeper opportunity.

Job Description

Total Compensation

• Hourly rate: $18.50
• Benefits: The College offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes  automatic 10% retirement contribution to your retirement account upon eligibility (no match required), a 50% tuition benefit for dependent children upon eligibility, 14 paid holidays (including the week before New Year’s Day), affordable medical plans, Health Savings Account contribution of $700 for individuals and$1400 for families (no match required, available to employees enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan), and a beautiful arboretum campus with walking trail and easy public transportation access. Please visit the Benefits page (https://www.haverford.edu/human-resources/benefits) for more information.

Work Location: On-site

About Facilities Management

Facilities Management is organized around four core functions: Operations and Maintenance, Campus Stewardship, Planning and Construction, and Budget and Administrative Operations. This structure supports clear accountability, effective service delivery, long-term asset stewardship, and alignment of facilities resources with the College’s academic mission.

Operations and Maintenance is responsible for the reliable day-to-day operation of campus buildings and building systems, including skilled trades, housekeeping, preventive maintenance, utilities, and customer service response. Campus Stewardship is responsible for the care, preservation, and enhancement of the College’s arboretum campus, including grounds, horticulture, sustainability-related landscape practices, and grounds equipment maintenance. Planning and Construction leads capital planning, design, renovation, and construction projects. Budget and Administrative Operations supports financial management, work order administration, project coordination, asset management, data, and reporting.

Together, these functions position Facilities Management as both an essential service organization and a strategic partner in advancing the College’s mission, stewarding institutional resources, and supporting a safe, welcoming, sustainable, and well-maintained campus environment.

About the Position
The Groundskeeper performs grounds maintenance, seasonal operations, snow and ice response, event support, landscape care, and general exterior maintenance to support a safe, attractive, accessible, and well-maintained campus environment. This position contributes directly to the daily appearance, function, and stewardship of Haverford College’s arboretum campus.

Reporting to the Grounds Manager, the Groundskeeper performs routine and special grounds work across campus, including mowing, trimming, planting support, leaf removal, snow removal, pathway care, debris cleanup, event preparation, storm response, equipment operation, and related exterior maintenance tasks. The position works closely with other Campus Stewardship staff, including Groundskeepers, Horticulturists, the Equipment Mechanic, the Plant Curator, and other Facilities Management colleagues.

The successful candidate will be reliable, safety-conscious, service-oriented, and able to perform physically active work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions while supporting the College’s academic, residential, athletic, and community activities. The position is considered essential personnel and will be required to work during periods of inclement weather or weather emergencies when the College is closed or operating on a modified schedule.

Primary Responsibilities

Grounds Maintenance and Campus Appearance - 40%

• Perform routine grounds maintenance across campus, including mowing, trimming, edging, blowing, raking, debris removal, litter pickup, pathway cleaning, and general exterior care
• Maintain lawns, open spaces, pathways, roadsides, entrances, courtyards, outdoor gathering areas, and other assigned exterior spaces
• Assist with mulching, soil preparation, planting, watering, pruning support, weeding, turf repair, seeding, and landscape bed maintenance
• Apply fertilizers by hand, push spreader, or other appropriate application equipment, and assist with application of turfgrass products in accordance with applicable regulations and College procedures
• Assist with irrigation system operation, inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs
• Assist with athletic field maintenance and preparation, including mowing, field setup, turf repair, and other seasonal maintenance activities
• Assist with routine grounds service requests and minor repairs to campus outdoor infrastructure, including walks, curbs, storm drains, roadways, minor hardscape, and other secondary exterior areas
• Remove leaves, branches, trash, and debris from campus grounds, walkways, roads, parking areas, and outdoor spaces
• Help maintain campus appearance standards, particularly in high-visibility areas used by students, faculty, staff, visitors, alumni, and prospective families
• Report damaged landscape areas, unsafe conditions, drainage issues, pests, vandalism, broken site furnishings, or other exterior concerns to the Grounds Manager
• Complete assigned work safely, efficiently, and in a manner consistent with the character of the College’s arboretum campus

Seasonal Operations, Snow and Ice Response, and Storm Cleanup - 25%

• Participate in snow and ice response operations, including shoveling, plowing support, salting, sanding, clearing steps, pathways, ramps, entrances, roads, and other priority areas
• Operate snow removal equipment and use ice-control materials safely and responsibly as assigned
• Assist with storm cleanup, fallen limb removal, flooding response, drainage support, weather-related hazards, and emergency exterior conditions
• Support seasonal work such as spring cleanup, summer readiness, fall leaf removal, winter preparation, residence hall openings and closings, and commencement preparation
• Work early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, or extended shifts during snow events, severe weather, major campus events, or urgent operational needs
• Coordinate with the Grounds Manager and other team members to ensure campus spaces remain safe, accessible, and ready for use

Equipment, Tools, Materials, and Safe Work Practices - 15%

• Operate and care for grounds equipment such as mowers, trimmers, blowers, utility vehicles, tractors, snow equipment, hand tools, power tools, carts, and related equipment as assigned
• Inspect equipment before use and report maintenance needs, damage, unsafe conditions, or performance problems
• Clean, store, and maintain tools, equipment, vehicles, work areas, storage areas, and grounds shops in a safe and orderly condition
• Use fuel, ice-control materials, soil, mulch, plants, tools, supplies, and other materials responsibly
• Follow College safety practices, equipment instructions, personal protective equipment requirements, and supervisor direction
• Participate in safety training related to equipment operation, lifting, weather exposure, traffic safety, chemicals, noise, tools, and other grounds-related hazards

Campus Events, Projects, and Operational Support - 10%

• Assist with grounds support for commencement, alumni events, admissions programs, student activities, athletic events, move-in, and other campus activities
• Help set up, prepare, clean, and restore outdoor spaces before and after events
• Move, place, or remove outdoor furniture, signs, barriers, planters, materials, supplies, and related items as assigned
• Support landscape projects, site restoration, contractor work, construction impacts, and campus improvements as directed
• Coordinate with Housekeeping, Operations and Maintenance, Public Safety, Athletics, Student Life, Conferences and Events, and other departments as needed

Work Orders, Communication, and Teamwork - 10%

• Receive, complete, and document assigned work through the College’s work-order system or other communication methods
• Communicate work status, supply needs, equipment issues, safety concerns, and campus conditions to the Grounds Manager
• Work independently or as part of a crew depending on the assignment
• Communicate respectfully and professionally with students, faculty, staff, visitors, supervisors, contractors, and coworkers
• Support a collaborative, inclusive, respectful, and service-oriented workplace
• Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, flexibility, sound judgment, and pride in the care of campus grounds

Line of Report: The Groundskeeper reports to Grounds Manager. This position does not supervise other employees but may coordinate work with other Groundskeepers, Horticulturists, student workers, temporary employees, contractors, volunteers, and other Facilities Management staff as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Two years of experience in grounds maintenance, landscaping, parks maintenance, property maintenance, facilities operations, agriculture, construction, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of training and experience

Professional Competencies

• Ability to operate or learn to operate grounds equipment, vehicles, tools, and snow-removal equipment safely
• Ability to perform physically active work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, grounds maintenance, landscape care, turf care, snow and ice response, equipment operation, and safe work practices
• Ability to perform assigned grounds tasks safely, thoroughly, and efficiently
• Ability to identify and report unsafe conditions, landscape concerns, equipment problems, and maintenance needs
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong reliability, punctuality, attention to detail, and willingness to respond to changing priorities
• Ability to communicate respectfully with supervisors, coworkers, students, faculty, staff, visitors, and contractors
• Ability to use radios, phones, mobile devices, work-order systems, or other communication tools as assigned
• Commitment to safe work practices, customer service, teamwork, sustainability, and responsible use of College resources
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, collaborative, and service-oriented workplace

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, public gardens, arboreta, independent schools, parks, municipalities, landscape companies, athletic grounds, or other campus-like environments
• Experience operating mowers, tractors, utility vehicles, snow-removal equipment, trimmers, blowers, chainsaws, or other grounds equipment
• Experience with snow and ice response, storm cleanup, seasonal grounds operations, event support, or landscape projects
• Basic knowledge of plants, turf, soil, pruning, planting, irrigation, drainage, or sustainable landscape practices
• Commercial driver’s license, current Pennsylvania Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification, equipment-operation certification, OSHA training, chainsaw training, or other relevant credential
• Experience using computerized maintenance-management systems or mobile work-order technology
• Bilingual or multilingual communication skills

We are aware that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet qualifications as described in the job advertisement. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and recognize that a successful candidate may come from a less traditional career trajectory, and have skills and abilities gained outside a classroom context, or an equivalent skill set. We encourage you to apply and share how you meet the position’s qualifications.

Special Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain PA Act 12 background checks
• Possession of a valid U.S. Drivers’ License and ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Record check
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Pennsylvania Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification within six months of hire. Reasonable additional time, up to twelve months from the date of hire, may be provided when an employee is actively pursuing certification and requires additional examination attempts
• This position is considered essential personnel and will be required to work during periods of inclement weather when the College is closed for a weather emergency
• Ability to work outdoors in a range of weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, snow, wind, humidity, and seasonal pollen exposure
• Ability to respond to snow and ice events, severe weather, storm damage, campus emergencies, and urgent grounds needs outside normal business hours as needed
• Ability to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, or extended shifts when required by seasonal operations, weather, or campus events
• Ability to walk throughout campus, traverse uneven terrain, climb stairs, bend, kneel, reach, stand for extended periods, and perform physical tasks associated with grounds operations, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, move, or position materials, tools, plants, soil, mulch, snow, ice-control materials, and equipment consistent with the physical requirements of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to safely operate or work near vehicles, tractors, mowers, snow equipment, utility vehicles, power tools, and other grounds equipment
• Ability to work around plants, soil, pollen, insects, pesticides, fertilizers, fuels, noise, dust, and active landscape-maintenance operations while following appropriate safety practices

To Apply: Interested applicants are invited to submit an application through Haverford College’s Workday career website (no other form of application is accepted). A complete application includes 1) a resume and 2) a cover letter summarizing your interest and how your experiences and skills meet the requirements of the position. Please email [email protected] with questions about submitting your materials.

The application deadline is September 27, 2026. Application review will begin after the deadline has passed. Should the search committee be interested in pursuing your candidacy, you will hear from them directly. Finalists will be asked to provide three professional references.

Haverford College strives to maintain an equitable, accessible, and welcoming environment where staff, faculty and students of all backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experience can work, learn, and thrive. Haverford College is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other identity or characteristic protected by law. Haverford College recognizes that we live and work on Lenape land.