Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. We suggest the documents be in a PDF format to avoid formatting issues.

Position Summary

The Rice University grounds team consists of thirty-plus groundskeepers and other specialists who develop and maintain our 300-acre tree-lined campus in an environmentally sensitive and aesthetically pleasing manner. This dedicated team works throughout the year in all weather conditions, while caring for our trees, gardens, lawns, and fields. We create first impressions and support the university's mission of teaching and research through our effective and innovative
stewardship of the campus landscape.

The Grounds Specialist position cares for the campus landscape while operating specialized equipment, including spraying and application, and manages pests using biological, cultural, mechanical, physical, and chemical controls as part of a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Plant Health Care (PHC) programs.

The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated passion for landscaping, work experience at a higher education campus or equivalent high-quality setting, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in person on the campus of Rice University. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position with a hiring range of $17.00 - $20.24, contingent upon qualifications and experience. *Non-exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Requirements

• HS Diploma or equivalent
• 
  3+ years of related landscape experience
  
  
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted
  
  
• Must possess (or have the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire) and maintain a valid Texas driver's license with no more than three moving violations and/or at-fault accidents within the past 36 months, and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past five years.
• Skills
  
  
  • Dependability
  • Ability to follow instructions
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Advanced knowledge of grounds maintenance
  • Advanced knowledge of proper equipment use and maintenance
  
  

• Associate's degree or higher
• Prior pest control experience
• Logical and technical reasoning skills
• Proficient math skills
• Knowledge of pest control chemicals

• Performs general grounds and heavy equipment maintenance activities within established guidelines in support of campus grounds operations
• Implements grounds projects in support of campus facilities
• Collaborates with supervisor to coordinate assignments and work schedules, observes and responds to areas of risk; may execute, respond to, interpret, and fulfill work orders, may communicate with customers, including senior-level administrators.
• Participates in horticultural maintenance; plants, prunes, and removes trees, hedges, and shrubs, cleans, weeds and mulches around trees and flower beds, prepare the area and adds topsoil
• Removes debris from general areas walkways and paths, operates and provides first-line maintenance on various heavy equipment and vehicles, and provides equipment operations instruction.
• Assists in moving and storage of furniture and equipment.
• Provides functional supervision to designated employees and affiliates
• Performs all other duties as assigned

HEAVY - Exert up to 70 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Requires walking, standing, lifting, and carrying heavy objects up to eight hours per day and multi-limb coordination to operate outdoor power equipment. Other physical requirements of the job include the ability to bend/crouch/or kneel, see, reach, climb, and balance.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

About Us

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.