Grounds Worker
Work type: On Campus
Location: Normal, Illinois
Title: Grounds Worker
Division Name: Finance and Planning
Department: Campus Services Division / Grounds
Job Summary
Under the direct supervision of the Grounds Foreman, performs unskilled and semi-skilled labor in connection with grounds maintenance or construction.
Additional Information
University Benefit Highlights:
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time
Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/
Salary Rate / Pay Rate
$22.59 per hour
Required Qualifications
1. High school graduation or equivalent.
2. Any one or combination totaling six (6) months from the categories below:
a. Coursework or vocational training in horticulture, landscaping, or a closely related field, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
-Fifteen (15) semester hours equals six (6) months
b. Work experience in grounds maintenance, landscape maintenance, nursery, agriculture work, grounds construction, and/or tending to lawns, turfs, trees, flowers, bushes or other shrubberies, ornamental plants, and other grounds-related work.
3. Valid State of Illinois driver's license (see NOTE below).
4. A final candidate must complete a post-offer pre-employment physical exam. Employment is contingent on the successful result of the pre-employment physical.
**Must acquire a Class A Commercial Driver's License within first five (5) months of employment** for this position.
Preferred Qualifications
1. Appropriate State of Illinois Pesticide License and knowledge of USEPA regulations regarding pesticide use and storage.
2. Ability to comprehend written and oral instructions.
3. One (1) year or experience in the grounds' maintenance field excluding home or personal lawn care business.
4. One (1) year of experience operating large equipment (backhoe, loader, skid loader, fork lift, high lift, street sweeper).
5. Experience in hardscape construction.
6. Experience in the mixing and application of pesticides and herbicides.
7. Must follow directions.
8. Must have willingness to work as directed.
Work Hours
Possible Mon-Fri 7:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. OR Tues-Sat 7:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.
Functional Expectations
Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Must be able to stand or walk continuously for up to three hours at a time.
2. Ability to shovel snow and mulch.
3. Ability to lift 92 pounds.
4. Ability to bend, crouch, and kneel.
Proposed Starting Date
March 2025
Optional Applicant Documents
Transcripts - See Special Instructions to Applicants for additional options
Certification of Retirement Annuity
Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"
Special Instructions for Applicants
Please fully complete the entire application including, but not limited to, the education and work history portions. Be specific on your work history, including employment dates (if part-time you must list the number of work hours) and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Please do not put "see resume" in the duties and responsibilities section of the work history. This will be considered an incomplete application and incomplete applications will not be considered.
The Civil Service examination for this classification is based on your application materials and responses to the supplemental questions. No participation other than submission of applicant materials is required from applicants that qualify to take the exam. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score calculated based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register by exam score. After the application deadline, the names within the top three scores will be referred to the department for interview.
If using education to qualify, college transcripts (may be unofficial) must be faxed, mailed, delivered to Human Resources, or uploaded under optional documents prior to the posting close date.
In order to be eligible for Veteran's Preference points on the exam, appropriate military service documentation, such as a DD-214, may be faxed, mailed, delivered to Human Resources in order to receive the maximum eligible points:
Fax: 309.438.0011, Attn: Colette Homan
Address: Illinois State University
Human Resources
Campus Box 1300
Normal, IL 61790-1300
A final candidate must complete a post-offer pre-employment physical exam. Employment is contingent on the successful result of the pre-employment physical.
**Must acquire a Class A Commercial Driver's License within the first five (5) months of employment for this position.
This position is represented by AFSCME Local 1110.
Contact Information for Applicants
Colette Homan
Human Resources
309-438-8848
cshoman@ilstu.edu
Important Information for Applicants
This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.
Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.
If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.