Job Details

Location : Westerville, OH
Job Type: Support Staff
Job Number: 00456
Division: Business Affairs
Department: Facilities Services
Opening Date: 01/30/2026

DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Grounds Worker
Job Class: Support
Department: Facilities Services
Reports to: Assistant Director, Campus Grounds
FLSA status: full-time 40hrs -wk/non-exempt/12-months
Approval Date: 2024
Approved by: Loren Stone

Otterbein University is in search of a Grounds Worker who performs skilled work in establishing and maintaining the grounds of the campus including athletic fields. Responsible for layout and striping of athletic fields, snow removal, furniture movement, special set up, and pick-up and delivery service. This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.
Otterbein offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Tuition benefit to employee, spouse or domestic partner and dependents
• Accrue 4 weeks of paid vacation
• 10 days paid sick time
• 12 paid holidays plus bonus days
• Medical, dental and vision insurance to you, dependents or domestic partner
• Life Insurance
• Defined contribution retirement plan
• and much more

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.

• Maintaining lawns by planting, cultivating, fertilizing and watering grass, cut grass using hand or power mowers, cultivate, prune, transplant, fertilize and water shrubbery, hedges and tress, grade and prepare soil for planting, plant and maintain flower beds.
• Maintain University grounds in clean neat condition by removing leaves, fallen branches, and other rubbish from lawns, walks, parking lots and drives.
• Watch for pests, disease, weeds, and other deteriorating agents and take necessary steps for their eradication.
• Maintain football field, baseball diamond and other athletic fields by rolling, aerating, trimming, grading, watering and striping as required.
• Clean, maintain and control tools and equipment assigned to this department.
• Move and set-up furniture and equipment as required by other University departments.
• Remove snow from building entrances, walks, parking areas and driveways, including deicing.
• Supervise and train other grounds workers, unskilled labor and students in accomplishing maintenance of the campus grounds.
• Assist supervisors in planning and estimating time and material requirements for various projects.
• Assist other University employees in the performance of duties as required to meet University priorities and as directed.
• Monitor supplies and in cooperation with supervision insure that proper stock levels of essential materials are maintained.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Supervise grounds workers and student workers assigned to the Grounds Crew. May be assigned to supervise other crafts workers in moving furniture or making set-ups.
QUALIFICATIONS

1. Possess valid Ohio drivers license
2. High School graduate; completion of minimum of an Associate's degree in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture preferred; and 5 years of relevant work experience.
3. Good physical health and strength; ability to lift 50 lbs. on a regular basis.
4. Ability to work from ladders and scaffolds.
5. Availability to respond to call-ins for emergency repairs.
6. Be self-directing and have supervisory abilities to direct others.
7. Most possess a strong sense of pride and ownership of work product.
8. Skilled in proper use and care of hand and power equipment normally used by this trade including but not limited to pruning equipment, push and riding mowers, edging equipment, front end loader and box grader equipped farm tractor, fertilizer application equipment, spray equipment, and snow removal equipment.
9. Working knowledge of pesticides and fungicides including their selection, application and safety hazards and precautions required. State Pesticide application license required.
10. Working knowledge of safety practices and precautions and occupational hazards associated with equipment operation, chemical handling and application and lifting and handling heavy furniture.
11. Working knowledge of method of soil sampling and interpretation of soil analysis to select proper chemicals and application timing to correct deficiencies.
12. Working knowledge of turf management for installing new turf and maintaining existing turf to include but not limited to selection of various types of grass and their use; mowing, fertilization and watering schedules; identification of weed, fungus and insect damage and selection and application of proper chemical.
13. Working knowledge of shrubs, trees, and plantings including by not limited to selection of proper variety; proper planting depths and manure, fertilization, identification of diseases and inset problems and selection of proper corrective measures, and proper pruning time and method.
14. Knowledge of sport field maintenance and operation and proper procedures for marking and striping.
15. Knowledge of minor cement work and repairs.
16. Knowledge of snow removal and deicing procedures.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Exposure to various environmental conditions including seasonal heat and cold, slippery surfaces, seasonal allergens, glare from sun, fertilizer, pesticides and other substances common to grounds maintenance; must wear appropriate safety equipment.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind of level of difficulty.

Otterbein University's achievement of academic excellence depends on its commitment to inclusion and belonging. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. Otterbein University is an EEO Employer.
To help attract a talented team, Otterbein offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time faculty and staff.

Benefits at Otterbein include:

• Tuition benefit for employee and their dependents
• Accrue 4 weeks paid vacation and 10 days paid sick time per year
• 12 paid holidays plus bonus days
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance for employee, dependents, or domestic partner
• Disability
• Defined contribution retirement plan
• and much more

ABOUT OTTERBEIN UNIVERSITY:

ABOUT OTTERBEIN CAREERS and BENEFITS: