<p>Position Title:</p> <p>Groundskeeper II</p> <p>Job Group:</p> <p>Merit</p> <p>Required Minimum Qualifications:</p> <ul> <li>Two years of experience operating the machinery and tools used in grounds work or any combination of related experience and education from which comparable knowledge and ability can be acquired which totals two years. • Must have successfully completed commercial certification tests (30T-Ornamental and Turf) for application of pesticides and eligible to be certified. • May be required to successfully complete other commercial certification tests as required. </li></ul> <p>Job Description:</p> <p>The Facilities Planning and Management Department at Iowa State University is seeking applicants for a Groundskeeper II. This position works on a team to maintain the university grounds so they retain an attractive appearance throughout the changing seasons. This position must maintain a valid Iowa Pesticide Applicator License (category 3OT and 6) to properly apply herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and fertilizers to annuals and perennials, turf, shrub beds, rock islands, and trees. Also responsible for accurately completing required state spray forms. This position requires the safe operation and maintenance of various equipment, including loaders, tractors, rollers, sod cutters, mowers, string trimmers, shovels and edgers. The successful candidate will work well in a team environment, communicate effectively, and make safety a priority.</p> <ul> <li>Must have State of Iowa Commercial Applicator License Category 3OT at time of hire. </li><li>Must have State of Iowa Commercial Applicator License Category 6 within 90 days of hire. </li><li>Must attain a Commercial Drivers License (CDL), Class B with air brake, motor vehicle inspector certification within 6 months of hire. </li></ul> <p>This position follows a schedule of Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.</p> <p>Preferred Qualifications</p> <ul> <li>Grading, seeding, and sod experience </li><li>Irrigation experience </li><li>Knowledge of proper planting techniques and experience with trees, shrub and perennials </li><li>Plant ID skills for both cultivated and native species </li><li>State of Iowa Commercial Applicator License Category 6 </li><li>Commercial Drivers License (CDL), Class B with air brake, motor vehicle inspector certification </li></ul> <p>Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities</p> <ul> <li>Performs all duties listed under Groundskeeper I. </li><li>Applies pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides, and insecticides using mechanized or hand equipment. </li><li>Maintains records/maps of all areas sprayed, chemicals used, and completes state records as required by state law. </li><li>Identifies turf, shrubbery, and flower problems and determines chemicals to use. </li><li>Calibrates sprayer/spreader equipment for appropriate dispersal rate of chemicals, mixes chemical solutions according to specifications. </li><li>Prepares seed beds and performs seeding, planting and transplanting, including flowers, trees and shrubs, and lawns. </li><li>Waters, weeds, hoes, sprays, and removed dead blossoms in flower beds. </li><li>Trims hedges and shrubs, digs up bulbs and transplants shrubs and trees; treats and controls plant diseases. </li><li>Supervises the operation of a greenhouse; submits requisitions for seeds and supplies; germinates seedling plants, roots, cuttings, and otherwise grows plants for the campus. </li><li>May assign, coordinate, and review the work of other groundskeeping personnel. </li></ul> <p>Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities</p> <ul> <li>Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions and specifications. </li><li>Ability to safely operate and maintain equipment and hand/power tools. </li><li>Ability to apply various groundskeeping techniques to different work situations. </li><li>Ability to satisfactorily perform a full range of duties such as spraying, pruning, seeding, sodding, fertilizing, weeding, transplanting, and trimming. </li><li>Knowledge of proper safety techniques to be used in the operation of gardening tools. </li><li>Knowledge of symptoms of plant diseases and appropriate treatment. </li><li>Ability to lift. </li><li>Knowledge of pesticide application, storage and recordkeeping. </li><li>Ability to assign and direct work of others </li></ul> <p>Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.</p> <p>To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:</p> <p>1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae</p> <p>2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter</p> <p>If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.</p> <p>Why Choose ISU?</p> <p>Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:</p> <ul> <li>Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans </li><li>Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans </li><li>Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) </li><li>Life insurance and long-term disability </li><li>Flexible Spending Accounts </li><li>Various voluntary benefits and discounts </li><li>Employee Assistance Program </li><li>Wellbeing program </li></ul> <p>Appointment Type:</p> <p>Regular</p> <p>Number of Months Employed Per Year:</p> <p>12 Month Work Period</p> <p>Time Type:</p> <p>Full time</p> <p>Pay Grade:</p> <p>08</p> <p>Original Posting Date:</p> <p>April 7, 2026</p> <p>Posting Close Date:</p> <p>May 5, 2026</p> <p>Job Requisition Number:</p> <p>R18961</p> <p>Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.</p> <p>General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.</p>