Grounds Worker

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

• Performs manual labor for general landscape maintenance and /or landscape construction tasks, including turf maintenance, plant maintenance, litter control, snow removal, and other duties
• Promptly reports unsafe conditions or damage to campus landscape, equipment, or facilities
• Subject to call-in twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to handle emergencies, especially snow emergencies
• Subject to shift changes and extended working hours (including nights, early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays) to meet seasonal work demand.  Subject to working in weather related extremes of heat and cold for extended periods
• May encounter sewage and dead animals
• Regular exposure to bees and pollen
• This position is covered by the UAW Collective Bargaining Agreement
• At the end of the probationary period employees will be required to pay union dues per article 1 of the agreement
• All employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, integrity; and supporting inclusive and sustainable practices in carrying out everyday responsibilities
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

These are endowed/contract (2 positions available), union position within the United Auto Workers (UAW). The starting pay rate is $24.55/hour.

We are a value–based organization where all employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity. Facilities and Campus Services employees are required to attend staff development trainings and participate in the performance evaluation process.

We require these qualifications:

•  High School Diploma or equivalent
• Valid US motor vehicle operator license required
• Minimum of two years’ experience with landscape maintenance, landscape construction, or related field
• Experience and ability to work in a fast paced commercial and or residential landscaping environment
• Working knowledge of the methods, materials, tools and equipment used in the landscaping trade
• Excellent interpersonal (oral and written) skills to interact with a diverse range of people
• Proven ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• A strong customer service orientation while providing a helpful and friendly approach to serving the campus community
• Is motivated and takes initiative to be proactive.  Demonstrated experience utilizing independent judgment and problem solving to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

You will be a top candidate with our preferred qualifications:

• Formal training in ornamental horticulture, agronomy, arboriculture, phytopathology, ornamental plant pests, and/or equipment operation helpful
• Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Rewards and Benefits:

• This position is based in Ithaca, New York.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Application Procedure:

Interested parties should submit a resume and cover letter describing qualifications on-line at https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs under staff positions section.

When applying through our system, please remember to attach resume and cover letter in either Microsoft Word or PDF format. In the Experience section of your application, use the ‘Drop Files Here’ box to manually drag document(s) into your application. For a more detailed description and instructions on how to apply online please click here.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information click here.

University Job Title:

Grounds Worker S04

Job Family:

United Auto Workers

Level:

S04

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

Refer to Union Pay Rates Link Below

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

Company:

Contact Name:

Tonya Eiklor

Contact Email:

[email protected]

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter.  You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

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For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].

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EEO Statement:

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-11-03