General Maintenance I - Grounds Worker

If you're exploring new career opportunities or seeking a dynamic and supportive work environment, consider Mercer County Community College (MCCC). As a publicly supported institution committed to open access and student success, MCCC strives to attract, retain, and support a highly skilled and diverse workforce-our most valuable asset.

At Mercer, campus culture and belonging are celebrated, and our sense of community is deeply rooted in both our mission and daily practices. With two distinct campuses-the James Kerney Campus in the heart of Trenton and our expansive 292-acre West Windsor Campus just six miles away-MCCC offers the benefits of a robust institution with the close-knit feel of a true community.

In addition to meaningful work and a supportive culture, employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes credit course tuition waivers for themselves, their spouses, and dependents-making higher education more accessible for the whole family. With 69-degree programs and 35 credit certificate options, there are countless ways to grow with us-both personally and professionally.

JOB DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Facilities Supervisor, the Grounds Worker performs work necessary to maintain campus grounds, athletic fields, building exteriors, walkways, and outdoor areas in clean, safe, and attractive condition. The Grounds Worker supports daily operations across both campuses and ensures that outdoor environments meet College standards for safety, accessibility, and appearance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is illustrative ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. It does not imply that all positions within the class perform all of the duties listed, nor does it necessarily list all possible duties that may be assigned.

• Assist in patching roadways, maintaining parking lots, and installing or repairing signage.
• Assist in maintaining drainage systems, stormwater features, and irrigation systems.
• Perform minor maintenance and cleaning of grounds vehicles and equipment.
• Complete work orders and daily tasks assigned by the Facilities Supervisor.

Grounds Maintenance

• Perform routine grounds maintenance, including mowing, trimming, edging, seeding, and turf care.
• Assist with planting, pruning, watering, fertilizing, mulching, and removal of trees, shrubs, and perennial beds.
• Conduct leaf removal, debris pickup, litter control, and general outdoor cleanup.
• Maintain walkways, nature trails, and landscaped areas to ensure they are free from obstacles and hazards.
• Maintain lawns, athletic fields, natural areas, and landscaped beds.
• Perform seasonal operations such as aeration, dethatching, seeding, and cleanup.
• Apply fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides as permitted by license or under supervision.
• Remove invasive or poisonous plants and maintain safe outdoor conditions.

Equipment Operation

• Safely operate manual and power equipment such as zero-turn mowers, push mowers, hedge trimmers, chain saws, and leaf blowers.
• Operate and maintain grounds equipment, including mowers, trimmers, blowers, snow removal equipment, and hand tools.
• Operate vehicles such as pickup trucks, utility carts, and small loaders as trained.
• Inspect equipment before use and report malfunctions immediately.

Seasonal and Weather-Related Duties

• Support snow removal operations, including plowing, shoveling, and applying ice-melt materials.
• Assist with storm cleanup, debris removal, and emergency outdoor tasks.

Safety and Compliance

• Follow safety protocols, wear appropriate PPE, and maintain awareness of job hazards.
• Maintain accurate records for pesticide/fertilizer applications where required.
• Follow DEP, Stormwater Management, and College environmental guidelines.

Campus Support

• Assist other Facilities staff with moving materials, setting up events, or other manual tasks when needed.
• Interact courteously with students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Primarily outdoor work in all weather conditions.
• Exposure to noise, dust, pollen, chemicals, and outdoor hazards.
• Mandatory participation in snow removal operations.
• Travel between West Windsor and Trenton campuses required.
• Please note that assigned tasks and responsibilities span both campuses for all MCCC positions.

ADA AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Positions in this class typically require: ability to use a key board, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of grounds maintenance practices, horticulture, and landscaping tools.
• Ability to operate and maintain grounds equipment safely and efficiently.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs., perform manual labor, and work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong awareness of safety practices and environmental stewardship.
• Physical ability to perform manual labor, including lifting up to 75 lbs., climbing ladders, and working in confined spaces or varying weather conditions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One (1) year of grounds, landscaping, or outdoor maintenance experience preferred.
• Valid New Jersey driver's license and ability to maintain driving privileges.
• Ability to obtain DEP pesticide operator's license (if required by assignment).
• Ability to obtain forklift certification if needed for assigned duties.
• Working knowledge of grounds equipment, including stand on, zero turn, and push mowers, weed whackers, blowers, edgers, chainsaws, and related
• OSHA 10 certification
• Working knowledge of large power equipment, including Bobcat (skid steer), front end loader, leaf vacuum, wood chipper, and related

The successful candidate should demonstrate the following competencies:

Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.

Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that gives them confidence in one's intentions and those of the organization.

Belonging: Working with situations involving different cultures/languages and responding to the ambiguity of unexpected/unfamiliar approaches.

Customer Focus: Making customers and their needs a primary focus of one's actions; developing and sustaining productive customer relationships.

Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one's area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business goals

Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.

Culture and Belonging: Working with situations involving different cultures/languages and responding to the ambiguity of unexpected/unfamiliar approaches.

Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.

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Mercer County Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, religion, age, disability, handicap or other legally protected status in its provision of employment, education, and activities, or other services. Mercer County Community College is an EEO/AAP Employer/Protected Veteran/Disabled.

Disclaimer: This job description outlines the general nature and key features performed by various positions that share the same job classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and qualifications required of all employees assigned to the job. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or re-assign duties to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodations or other business reasons.