Student Grounds Crew Lead

Whitworth University

Description

• Whitworth University is a residential campus shaped by learning, curiosity, and community life. This role is based on campus and requires consistent, in-person engagement.

• Position Summary

• You will join a team of groundskeepers who are passionate about providing a safe and beautiful outdoor learning space. You will have the opportunity to make a positive impact in students' lives and care for the environment. Learn more about the department HERE

• The Student Grounds Crew Lead supports the care and maintenance of Whitworth University’s campus grounds, including turf, landscape beds, and hardscapes. This hands-on role leads, trains, mentors, and supervises a crew of 10–15 student employees while working alongside them to maintain a safe, welcoming, and beautiful campus. The position also supports seasonal operations, including snow and ice removal during the winter months.

• Core Responsibilities

• Student Crew Development 40%

• Lead, train, mentor, and supervise student grounds employees.

• Coordinate work schedules around changing student availability.

• Assign and prioritize daily work.

• Work alongside student employees to provide hands-on instruction and leadership.

• Provide equipment, technical, and safety training.

• Monitor completed work for quality and provide coaching.

• Partner with the Grounds Supervisor in addressing technical or interpersonal concerns.

• Landscape and Grounds Maintenance 40%

• Maintain campus turf, landscape beds, plantings, and hardscapes.

• Operate mowing, trimming, spraying, and other grounds equipment.

• Perform turf and plant care.

• Safely mix and apply herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers.

• Identify maintenance priorities through regular assessment of campus grounds.

• Projects and Improvement 10%

• Plan and complete small landscape improvement projects.

• Support irrigation renovation and installation.

• Assist with site preparation and demolition.

• Select and install plant materials.

• Assist with review of larger landscape installations.

• Seasonal, Snow & Grounds Operations 10%

• Safely and efficiently operate snow removal equipment including small snow plows, truck plows, de-icing equipment and snow shovels.

• Direct student workers during daytime snow removal and de-icing operations.

• Assist in maintaining and growing Whitworth Grounds social media presence.

• Other responsibilities as assigned.

• Qualifications and Core Competencies

• We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds. If you have experience working outdoors, operating equipment, maintaining turf and landscapes, or leading others, we encourage you to apply.

• Valid driver’s license.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Washington State pesticide applicator license within the first year of employment.

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including strenuous outdoor work in varying weather conditions, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, and operating riding equipment for up to two hours at a time.

• Personal commitment to the Christian faith and to the educational mission of Whitworth University as a Christian liberal arts university.

• A commitment to the educational mission of Whitworth University as a comprehensive Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church.

• Core Competencies

• Ability to provide hands-on direction, training, mentorship, and constructive feedback to student employees.

• Ability to assess grounds needs, organize daily work, adjust priorities, and coordinate work around changing schedules and seasonal demands.

• Demonstrated commitment to safe work practices and the responsible use of grounds equipment, tools, and landscape products.

• Ability to build positive working relationships and contribute to a team focused on maintaining a safe, welcoming, and well-cared-for campus.

• Preferred

• Experience in groundskeeping, landscaping, turf care, agriculture, construction, irrigation, athletic field maintenance, or a related field.

• Experience operating lawn mowers, tractors, or similar grounds or landscape equipment.

• Experience performing physically active work outdoors in varied weather conditions.

• Experience leading, supervising, training, or working alongside student, seasonal, or crew-based employees.

• Current Washington State pesticide applicator license.

• Other Details

• Schedule

• Full-time (1.0 FTE) | 12 months | 40 hours per week

• Whitworth grounds crew hours are 7 AM to 3:30 PM Monday – Friday

• Whitworth University is a Christian liberal arts university. Our shared mission is to provide our diverse students with an education of mind and heart, equipping them to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity. We seek candidates who are willing to engage with the university’s mission and integrate their Christian faith into their work.

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain valid work authorization throughout the duration of employment, including those on OPT. Whitworth University does not offer visa sponsorship for this position.

• Whitworth complies with all federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws that are applicable to religious nonprofit institutions and does not engage in unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, sex, or disability. With our Christ-centered commitment to building a diverse and inclusive community, the university encourages applications from populations underrepresented at Whitworth including members of racial/ethnic communities, women, and persons with disabilities.

• Online applications are stored on a secure site. Only authorized employees and hiring authorities have access to the information submitted.

• It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

At Whitworth University, we are committed to supporting the well-being of our faculty, staff, and their families by offering an extensive benefits package. Eligible employees can enjoy a variety of benefits, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Employer-matched 403 (b) retirement plan

• Tuition remission programs available for employees, their spouses, and dependents

• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage

• Accrued vacation and sick leave based on full-time equivalency (FTE). All staff accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month and 10 to 20 days of vacation per year, depending on employee category.

• 2 days of Floating Holiday leave based on full-time equivalency (FTE)

• Access to an Employee Assistance Program

• Resources for Christian vocation and calling

• No cost access to the University Recreation Center (UREC) and the Megan E. Thompson Aquatic Center

• 15 paid holidays throughout the year

• To discover more about these offerings, please visit our benefits page.

• Whitworth University

• Address

• 300 W Hawthorne

• Spokane, Washington, 99251