Job Description
Position Title: Arboretum Groundskeeper
Posting Number: S155P
Department: Maintenance
Position Type: Staff
Job Description: Job Summary
Assists with the maintenance of Hillsdale College's arboretum grounds, which includes landscaping, groundskeeping tasks to maintain a safe and attractive environment, general maintenance activity in designated areas, including periodic and scheduled inspections, preventative maintenance, minor repair to equipment as needed, a liaison for event planning and set up for arb functions.
Essential Job Functions 1. Maintain the grounds of the 48-acre Slayton Arboretum at Hillsdale College to enhance the visitor's experience and assist in creating a first-class horticultural resource for the College and community. 2. Examine and police the College grounds on a routine basis. Assist with removal and disposal of trash and debris. 3. Supervise work of student crew members; train and oversee in maintaining the beds and grounds of the Arboretum and Children's garden. 4. Maintaining the arboretum turf through mowing, weed trimming, reseeding and repairing as needed. 5. Remove snow and ice using power snow broom/blowers, chemical ice melts, truck mounted plows, shovels and /or ice scrapers. 6. Keep walkways, trails, and steps clear of debris throughout the year. 7. Maintain arboretum hiking paths for safety and accessibility. 8. Make basic fence repairs. 9. Plant new trees; prune the existing woody ornamental collections both for aesthetics and to remove potential hazards. 10. Provide routine care for the arboretum ornamental beds including weeding, raking, edging, watering, dividing plants, shaping plants, fertilizing, composting and mulching. 11. Perform landscape plant installations, renovations and replacements. 12. Apply pesticides in accordance with the label and MDARD regulations, maintain proper records of pesticide applications. Keep current SDS records. 13. Assist in developing and overseeing biological control programs to manage invasive species on the arboretum grounds. 14. Maintain close communications with campus horticulturalist concerning advanced arboriculture needs, preparation for arboretum plant sale, and coordinate as needed regarding horticultural consultation and landscape design. 15. Participate in regular team meetings. 16. Work with the grounds and maintenance crews to maintain ornamental plantings and irrigation system, waterfall, and buildings on the arboretum grounds. 17. Responsible for small event setups, assist with large event setups, and act as a liaison with campus and non-campus-based events within the arboretum. 18. Correctly operate and perform routine maintenance on all departmental equipment and tools. 19. Coordinate with the grounds and maintenance crews to maintain and repair the irrigation systems, campus equipment, buildings, tools, and vehicles. 20. Inspect periodically and/or as scheduled, repair and/or replace any in-house equipment or system as required. 21. Share responsible for the college greenhouse; including weekend watering rotation. 22. Assist with garden design and plant selection of ornamental landscaping beds. 23. Continue to increase your knowledge of job duties through conferences, classes, research, and participation in professional development courses. 24. Coordinate and perform outside decorating for holidays and special events. 25. Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications: Requires a high school diploma and two (2) years of experience in maintenance repair work and landscape maintenance or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to demonstrate the ability to perform the job. Must possess a valid driver's license.
Other Skills: 1. Ability to operate hand tools and equipment common to the trade. 2. Basic knowledge of plant propagation, pruning techniques, soil maintenance, integrated pest management for common horticultural diseases and insect pests, weed identification, greenhouse growing techniques and maintenance, irrigation systems, and outdoor bed maintenance. 3. Ability to work with chemicals common to the trade in a safe manner, which protects the individual, co-workers, and arb guests in the immediate work area as well as the environment. 4. Knowledge in landscaping design, installation, and maintenance, including annual and perennial beds, woody ornamentals, and water gardens. 5. Ability to evaluate situations, make decisions, develop plans, and manage resources effectively and efficiently 6. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and communicate well with the public. 7. Ability to work independently.
8. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and to take instructions from either. 9. Must hold a commercial pesticide applicator's license with the categories of Ornamentals and Aquatics from the Michigan Dept. of Agriculture or obtain a license within 6 months of employment.
Some overtime is required, and vacation approval may be limited during peak activity periods. Code of Commitment
Be a good representative of Hillsdale College to promote the liberal arts, the College's original Articles of Association, and operating principles stated in the Staff Code of Commitment. The Mission Statement should be considered in all aspects of the position. The teaching of Christian faith shall remain a conspicuous aim of the College.
Physical Demands: Must be comfortable working in all types of weather in every season. Physically capable of performing strenuous activity, including the ability to stand and kneel for long periods of time, carry bulky items, and pull long lengths of hose.
Open Date: 06/02/2025
Open Until Filled: Yes
Supplemental Questions: Required fields are indicated with an asterisk ( ).
Documents Needed To Apply (Required Documents & Optional Documents): Required Documents - Resume
Optional Documents - Cover Letter
PI215fd5a5db0d-3684
Job Tags
Holiday work, Immediate start, Outdoor, Gangs,