Groundskeeper

Come and join the Bearkat community!

Named after Texas' legendary hero, General Sam Houston, the university boasts a rich historical legacy that resonates with the spirit of Texas, which provides a balance between a peaceful, natural setting and proximity to urban amenities. With a student population of over 21,000, SHSU offers a vibrant and dynamic community. SHSU has a small town feel with large scale opportunities. Located in the Piney Woods region of East Texas and just an hour drive north of Houston, Huntsville provides area residents with a sense of community and belonging.

SHSU offers compelling options for individuals seeking a fulfilling and impactful career including a superior benefit package, competitive salaries and a flexible work environment fostering work/life balance. SHSU offers programs that support a healthy work-life balance, contributing to employee well-being and job satisfaction, as well as, professional development opportunities with our educational assistance and dependent assistance programs.

Posting Information

This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.

Requisition

202600303S

Title

Groundskeeper

FLSA status

Non-Exempt

Hiring Salary

This position is a pay grade 2. Please see Pay Grade Table at: https://pa-hrsuite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/116/docs/636763.pdf

Occupational Category

Service Maintenance

Department

Facilities Campus Services

Division

Division of Finance and Operations

Open Date

10/01/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Educational and Experience Requirement

Less than a high school diploma with the ability to read and write. Six months experience as a groundskeeper or experience in a related field. A combination of education, experience, and training that would produce the required knowledge and abilities could be considered.

Nature & Purpose of Position

To perform skilled groundskeeping and general gardening duties on the University grounds. Responsible for the care and maintenance of lawns and the cultivation of plants, trees, ornamental shrubbery, and flower beds.

Primary Responsibilities

Plants and trims lawns, trees, bushes, hedges, and shrubs using hand tools or motorized vehicles. Landscapes new ground areas, repairs damaged ground areas, replaces bushes, hedges, shrubs, and trees. Cares for and maintains fields, paths, roads, and buildings. Fertilizes soil when needed for plant growth; plants flowerbeds. Cultivates, prunes, sprays, fertilizes, plants, and transplants a wide variety of shrubs, plants, trees and flowers. Waters shrubbery, hedges, seedlings, flowers, and lawns. Prepares propagation beds, potting materials, and tropical planting. Pots, sprays, and waters greenhouse plants, flowers, and shrubs. Cuts grass using power or hand mowers, trims and edges sidewalks, driveways, and flower beds. Cuts weeds and brush and removes leaves and rubbish from the grounds. Cleans and maintains tools and equipment. Performs general maintenance and cleanup of buildings and grounds. Cleans, repairs, and services equipment used in grounds maintenance such as mowers, tractor/trailers, dump trucks, front-end loaders, high-lift fork trucks, wood chippers, and a variety of hand/power tools. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Other Specifications

Requires working in conditions involving exposure to variable weather conditions, dirt, dust, fertilizer, and insecticides. Requires the ability to understand and follow established procedures or other guidelines of some complexity which involve making frequent minor decisions. Requires the use of some initiative, independent judgment, or resourcefulness. Uniforms and identification badges are provided by the University according to departmental policy.

Position requires driving and operating a university vehicle; therefore, a valid Texas driver license and driving record acceptable to the university’s insurance carrier is required.

Full Time Part Time

Full Time

Position Number

Quicklink

https://shsu.peopleadmin.com/postings/48814

EEO Statement

EEO Statement

Sam Houston State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and Smoke/Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or protected veteran status. The University takes seriously the initiative to ensure equal opportunity in the workforce and to comply with Title VII as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Sam Houston State University is an “at will” employer. Employees with a contract will have additional terms and conditions. Security-sensitive positions at SHSU require background checks in accordance with Education Code §51.215.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report