Groundkeeper - University Hospital

Shift: Monday to Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Department: Plant Engineering University Hospital

Facility: University Hospital – 1 Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO

Compensation:

• Base Pay Range: $17.37 - $24.81 per hour based on experience
• Union Bid Period: August 28 to September 4, 2026

ABOUT THE JOB

MU Healthcare is looking for a passionate and detail-oriented individual to join our team as a Groundskeeper. The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in outdoor environments, has a keen eye for aesthetics, and is dedicated to maintaining beautiful and functional landscapes. We value accuracy, efficiency, and a strong sense of pride in one's work. If you enjoy collaborating with a diverse group of colleagues and contributing to the vibrant campus community, this role is perfect for you. Join us in creating and preserving the stunning grounds that make MU Healthcare a welcoming and inspiring place for everyone.

ABOUT MU HEALTH CARE

MU Health Care is proud to be named one of Forbes’ Best-in-State Employers seven years in a row, and that’s largely a result of the incredible culture and team we’ve built. At MU Health Care, we have an inspired, hard-working and collaborative environment driven by our mission to save and improve lives. Here, we believe anything is possible and rally around solutions. We celebrate innovation and offer opportunities to be a part of something bigger — to have a voice and role in the work that is serving our community and changing the field of medicine.

Our academic health system — the only in mid-Missouri — is home to seven hospitals, including the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and region’s only Children’s Hospital, as well as over 90 specialty clinics. Here you can define your career among our many clinical and nonclinical positions — with growth, opportunity and support every step of the way.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

• Health, vision and dental insurance coverage starting day one
• Generous paid leave and paid time off, including ten holidays
• Multiple retirement options, including 100% matching up to 8% and full vesting in three years
• Tuition assistance for employees (75%) and immediate family members (50%)
• Discounts on cell phone plans, rental cars, gyms, hotels and more
• See a comprehensive list of benefits here.

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION

• Plant, transplant and cultivate trees, shrubs and flowers; determine water requirements of plants and turf, irrigate as necessary.
• Prune trees, shrubs and flowers according to standard horticultural practices as necessary to maintain good plant health.
• Identify weeds, insects and diseases; mix and apply pesticides safely, according to label instructions and as directed.
• Apply fertilizers and calibrate application equipment.
• Build stone or tie walls and plant beds; repair landscape irrigation systems.
• Perform other grounds maintenance duties: remove leaves; mow grass; aerate turf; weed beds; sow grass seed and lay sod; does hand grading and excavating and shovel work; remove snow from streets and sidewalks, will be available for snow removal when needed, including emergency situations.
• May operate tractors, trucks, lawn mowers, chain saws and miscellaneous equipment. Perform maintenance on groundskeeping equipment.
• Because of necessary fluctuations of workloads, an incumbent in this class may be required on an occasional basis and according to need to perform duties outside his/her area at a level of skill the same as or lower than required by his/her ordinary assignment.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired is necessary.
• Two years’ experience in grounds maintenance, landscape construction, or related area is necessary.
• Knowledge of tools, methods and materials used in grounds maintenance and landscape construction.
• A person working in this classification will need to be able to grasp, lift, carry and set down heavy (50-75 lb) objects on a daily basis, and will need to be able to shovel snow, climb ladders and operate heavy power equipment.
• A valid Missouri driver’s license is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met with or without reasonable accommodation. The performance of these physical demands is an essential function of the job. This position is very active and may require ambulating, remaining in a stationary position and positioning self to reach and/or move objects above the shoulders and below the knees. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.