About the role
Title: Grounds and Support III - 999131
Position Number: 999131
Unit/Department: Facilities Planning & Management
Salary: $16.77
Department Summary
Come join the Drake Facilities team! We are seeking a competent, trustworthy and reliable person to serve as Grounds and Support III. This is an entry level Grounds worker position with continuous on-the-job training and opportunities for growth and development.
Job Summary
Be responsible for appearance of designated areas, to include but not limited to: Athletic Field, flowerbeds, common areas, trees and hardscapes. Operate tractors, mowers and related equipment associated with grounds maintenance. Operate hand equipment, plant, cultivate, care for and maintain landscaped areas and turf. Assist in the care, repair and maintenance of machinery and equipment. Maintain and make minor repairs to buildings, fences, gates, walkways, parking lots, secondary roads and other areas. Operate powered and unpowered equipment to remove snow and ice from sidewalks, steps, parking lots or roadways. Evaluate and perform ice control on campus sidewalks, steps, parking lots and secondary roads. Must be able to perform overtime when needed. Assist in hauling and moving of furniture, equipment and other campus related items. Provide support in university events including set ups and tear downs. Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Must be able to initiate and maintain good customer and co worker relationships in a team environment.
- Ability to navigate and use FPM workorder system.
- Ability to consistently meet the department work schedule as designated.
- Capable of self initiation of required duties of general specific nature.
- Ability to work with limited supervision.
-High School graduate or equivalent.
- Ability in lifting 25–50 pounds frequently and/or lifting 51–100pounds with assistance.
- Valid Driver’s License, good driving record and insurable by Drake University
Preferred Qualifications
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Equipment Operator – mowers, skid loaders, forklift, boom lift, tractors, carts
- Commercial Applicator License
- Masonry and Hardscape
Job Duties
- 20% - Be responsible for appearance of designated areas, to include but not limited to: athletic fields, flower beds, common areas, trees and hardscapes. - (Essential)
- 20% - Operate tractors, mowers and related equipment associated with grounds maintenance. Operate hand equipment, plant, cultivate, care for and maintain landscaped areas and turf. - (Essential)
- 20% - Operate powered and unpowered equipment to remove snow and ice from sidewalks, steps, parking lots or roadways - (Essential)
- 10% - Evaluate and perform ice control on campus sidewalks, steps, parking lots and secondary roads. Must be able to perform overtime when needed. - (Essential)
- 10% - Assist in hauling and moving of furniture, equipment and other campus-related items around campus. - (Essential)
- 5% - Maintain and make minor repairs to buildings, fences, gates, walkways, parking lots, secondary roads and other areas - (Essential)
- 5% - Assist in the care, repair and maintenance of machinery and equipment. - (Essential)
- 5% - Provide support in university events including set-ups and tear-downs. - (Essential)
- 5% - Perform other duties as assigned. - (Essential)
Special Instructions to Applicants
For consideration, you must apply online.
If you have any questions about this job positing or the application process, please email patrick.williams@drake.edu
Review of Applications Begins
A review of applications will begin immediately. This position will remain open until filled.
Salary and Benefits
At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our Drake Benefits Guide 2026. One of our popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. Tuition Benefits