Grounds Maintenance Worker 2 - Irrigation Tech

POSITION SUMMARY:

Date application must be received for priority consideration by: May 14, 2026
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date: June 1, 2026
Closing Date or if blank, Open Until Filled:
Job Family Group: Support Staff
Support Staff Classification Title: Grounds Maintenance Worker 2
Division/Department: Finance and Administration/Facilities Management and Planning
Compensation Range (commensurate with experience): Salary Range 18, Step 3 - $21.91 hour/$3,798 monthly @ 1.0 FTE
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Appointment Basis: 12-month
Time Type: Full-time
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Renewable/Non-renewable/Grants/Limited Duration: Renewable
This position must possess and maintain a current, valid Driver License: Yes
This position is designated as a critical, security-sensitive or safety-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal Background Check: Yes
Lead Work/Supervisory Responsibilities: No
Remote Work Type: On-campus
Work Hours: Generally 7am to 4pm. During inclement weather, the Landscape Department is required to perform snow/ice removal tasks. Must be available for weather-related call-in's during these conditions. Call in time, shift differential and overtime rules apply per the SEIU Collective Bargaining Agreement. During summer months schedules may be on a varying 4 day a week, 10 hour schedule.
Worker Status: Must be able to legally work in the United States without visa sponsorship

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT:

• Each applicant is required to provide (as attachments to the online application) the following supplemental documents: (1) a letter providing some detail of the applicant’s qualifications and interest in the position; and (2) current resume/CV. - PLEASE NOTE - during the application process, you will be prompted to attach these documents in the area titled "Resume." Please either combine ALL documents into ONE attachment, OR upload each item separately in this section. Failure to upload ALL of the required documents may disqualify application from consideration.
• For inquiries and additional information, please contact Human Resource Services via email at hrs@sou.edu or by phone at (541)552-8553.
• To view SOU’s very generous benefits and pension programs available to eligible positions, please visit https://inside.sou.edu/assets/hrs/Benefits/Benefit_Flyer/2024_Prospective_Candidate_Benefit_Overview_012024.pdf
• Our benefits package is an important complement to the offered salary and our Total Compensation Calculator, https://inside.sou.edu/hrs/comp-calc.html, demonstrates our value and commitment to our employees.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

This position reports to the Landscape Department Coordinator and supports the Landscape Maintenance team through irrigation system maintenance, underground utility work, and associated earthworks across the SOU campus and Student Apartments and Family Housing (SAFH) properties. The primary focus of this role is the installation, operation, troubleshooting and repair of campus irrigation mainlines and distribution piping, along with related site infrastructure and landscape systems.

This position performs complex field work including trenching, pipe installation, mechanical restraint installations, site restoration, and emergency response repairs, while also participating in general landscape maintenance activities, equipment operation, and seasonal response tasks. The role works closely with other landscape staff to maintain safe, functional, and visually appealing campus grounds while supporting the long-term performance an reliability of irrigation and site infrastructure systems.

Minimum Requirements

• Pesticide applicator’s license may be required based on position duties; AND
• Two years experience as a grounds keeper which included plant care; OR
• An Associate’s degree in Landscape Technology or Horticulture; OR
• Completion of a Landscape Certification program or license in a horticultural specialty.

Preferred Requirements

• 3 + years of construction industry experience, preferable in municipal, commercial, institutional or agricultural settings, including experience serving as a crew lead or foreman.
• Demonstrated experience in the operation of heavy equipment, including forklifts