Groundskeeper Gardener

Towson University (TU) is one of the nation’s top 100 public universities. Located north of Baltimore, TU currently enrolls over 19,000 students and is the second-largest university in the prestigious University System of Maryland.  Towson University fosters a climate that is grounded in respect to cultivate the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.

The Groundskeeper/Gardener is responsible for general maintenance of the campus grounds by maintaining campus site landscapes which include trees, gardens, meadows, ponds, lawns and surrounding hardscaped areas. This position is responsible for installing annual rotations, perennial beds and container displays. This position performs gardening and groundskeeping duties to ensure an immaculate landscape. The individual must be initiative-taking and able to communicate, receive and give feedback in a professional manner with coworkers and the public. The typical work schedule is Monday-Friday, 6:30am-2:30pm.

• Performs preventive maintenance of assigned outdoor areas such as hardscapes area, sidewalks, roadways and lawns. Remove trash, dirt, and debris and transport to the appropriate disposal facility.
• Performs grounds maintenance activities including cultivating, planting, watering, fertilizing, weeding, mowing and/or pruning, in areas such as lawns, gardens, shrubs and trees. Assists in the maintenance of annual, perennial, and native plants, shrubs, ornamental grasses, annual rotations, and container displays.  Install shrubs, trees, flowers, and vegetation following detailed plans and supervised directions.
• Operates hand and power equipment such as mowers, weed trimmers, tillers, sweepers, snow blowers, edgers, shovels, spades, pruners, loppers, rakes, saws. Operates a variety of utility vehicles. Perform routine assembly, cleaning and maintenance of equipment as needed.
• Measures, mixes and applies fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals following specific instructions
• Performs removal of snow and ice from assigned areas using hand and power snow removal equipment during hours of the day or night. Spread salt, sand, and deicers to prevent slipping.
• Assists in the maintenance and support of campus events, outdoor fields and athletic facilities.

• Ability to read, write, and perform arithmetic calculations; to follow oral and written instructions; to operate and perform minor maintenance to assigned hand and power tools and equipment; to perform work in, on, around, under and over trees, shrubs, and buildings and facilities; to work at heights up to 35 feet; to perform physical work requiring bending, stooping, reaching, carrying, and frequent heavy lifting; to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions; to wear and work in personal protective equipment.
• Valid Maryland Non-commercial Class C, or equivalent, driver's license required.
• Preferred: Basic gardening knowledge, plant, weed identification.
• Candidates selected for employment may be subject to medical inquiries and/or medical examinations to determine ability to perform the job.

$38,000 annually and full University benefits that includes annual leave, up to 15 holidays, personal and sick days; excellent health, life, and retirement plans; and tuition remission. When applicable, a 2.5% increase may be added to the annual salary, pending successful completion of the initial six-month pro