Grounds Maintenance Technician

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position:          Grounds Maintenance Technician

Unit/Sport:      Facilities & Events

Reports to:      Grounds Supervisor

Appointment:  Full-time

FLSA status:     Non-Exempt

Updated:         September 2026

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Position Summary:

 The Grounds Maintenance Technician is responsible for the daily maintenance, appearance, safety, and operational readiness of fields, grounds, and facilities managed by Kansas Athletics. The position performs grounds and landscape maintenance, assists with practice and event setup and teardown, supports event cleanup and facility operations, and performs routine inspections and minor repairs as directed by the Grounds Supervisor. The Grounds Maintenance Technician supports Kansas Athletics events and approved outside-sponsored events and may work across multiple athletics facilities based on operational needs.

Duties and Responsibilities of this Position:

Daily Operations & Turf Care

• Perform daily grounds maintenance at Kansas Athletics facilities, including mowing, edging, trimming, seeding, fertilizing, sod installation, weed control, landscaping, leaf removal, debris removal, and snow and ice removal.

• Assist with routine turf and landscape preparation and maintenance to support safe, functional, and presentable practice and competition areas.

• Perform daily quality inspections of stands, concourses, restrooms, operations spaces, and exterior areas; identify maintenance, cleanliness, or safety concerns and communicate needed corrective action to the Grounds Supervisor.

• Perform daily and periodic cleaning and organization of storage, shop, and workspace areas.

• Monitor grounds and maintenance supplies and notify the Grounds Supervisor of replenishment or operational needs.

• Perform routine repair and maintenance of athletics equipment, fencing, storage buildings, and other facility or grounds-related items as assigned.

Equipment & Safety

• Safely operate and, as appropriate, perform routine operator-level care of equipment and machinery used in grounds and facility operations, including trucks, trailers, push and rotary mowers, tractors, aerators, sod cutters, field sweepers, paint machines, string trimmers, edgers, skid loaders, golf carts, scrubbers/sweepers, forklifts, scissor lifts, aerial lifts/cherry pickers, hand tools, and shop equipment.

• Follow applicable University and Kansas Athletics safety procedures and all applicable federal, state, and local requirements, including OSHA standards and manufacturer instructions.

• Use required personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow safe work practices when operating equipment, using tools, working at heights, or performing other assigned tasks.

• Handle, store, use, and dispose of fuels, fertilizers, pesticides, cleaning products, and other chemicals or hazardous materials in accordance with product labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), applicable regulations, and departmental procedures.

• Promptly report unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, injuries, spills, or other safety concerns to the Grounds Supervisor and follow established response procedures.

Event & Facility Operations

• Assist with setup, conversion, and teardown for practices, competitions, special events, and approved outside-sponsored events.

• Assist with event cleanup and maintenance and, when assigned, help coordinate event cleanup groups.

• Provide grounds, facility, and operational support before, during, and after events to maintain safe, clean, and event-ready spaces.

• Assist facilities maintenance staff and other Kansas Athletics personnel with practice, competition, and special event needs as assigned.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Grounds Supervisor.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.

• Minimum of one year of experience in groundskeeping, landscaping, turf maintenance, athletic facility maintenance, or a closely related field.

• Ability to safely operate grounds and facility maintenance machinery and equipment. Operation of specialized equipment, including forklifts, scissor lifts, and aerial lifts/cherry pickers, is subject to required training and authorization.

• Ability to perform the essential physical functions of the position, including regularly lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds and performing sustained physical work outdoors.

• Ability to frequently stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, squat, reach, climb, push, pull, and twist while performing assigned duties.

• Ability to work outdoors in hot, cold, wet, windy, snowy, and other inclement weather conditions for extended periods consistent with established safety practices.

• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet applicable University and Kansas Athletics requirements for operating vehicles as part of assigned job duties.

• Ability to work a flexible and extended schedule based on operational and event needs, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• A minimum of two years’ experience in landscape/grounds maintenance

• Experience maintaining collegiate, professional, municipal, or other high-use athletic fields or event facilities.

• Experience operating commercial grounds equipment and/or powered industrial or aerial-lift equipment.

Work Environment

This position works primarily outdoors and in athletics facilities, grounds, shops, storage areas, and event spaces, with occasional work in a professional office environment. Work may be performed in heat, cold, rain, snow, wind, humidity, direct sunlight, dust, noise, and other conditions associated with grounds and facility maintenance. The position may work around moving equipment, vehicles, power tools, fertilizers, pesticides, cleaning products, fuels, and other materials used in grounds operations. Required PPE and established safety procedures must be followed. The position requires flexibility and adaptability in work location and schedule and may require response to operational or event needs on short notice.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. While performing assigned duties, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk for extended periods; use hands and arms to operate tools and equipment; communicate and hear; and frequently bend, kneel, crouch, squat, reach, climb, push, pull, and twist. The position requires frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, or moving materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Duties may require prolonged physical activity and outdoor work in varying weather conditions. Specific vision abilities include close and distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus as necessary to safely operate equipment and perform maintenance tasks. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Travel

Moderate travel may be required based on operational needs and assigned responsibilities.

Hours of Work

This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Workdays and hours vary based on facility, sport program, and event schedules. The position requires flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, extended hours, and other irregular schedules as operational and event needs require.

Other Duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice, based on organizational and operational needs.