Department Summary:

Come join the Drake team! We are always seeking great additions to our Grounds and Support Department. We are in search of a capable and service-minded individuals to join our existing team of amazing Grounds workers. Drake University offers a competitive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life and disability coverages, flexible spending accounts, retirement plan options and generous four (4) weeks of time off. Drake University also offers significant higher education cost savings for employees, their partners/spouses, and dependent children through our tuition waiver and tuition exchange programs. https://www.drake.edu/facility/ . This position has a starting rate of $16.44/hour.

Job Summary:

Be responsible for appearance of designated areas, to include but not limited to:

Athletic Field, flower beds, common areas, trees and hardscapes.

Operate tractors, mowers and related equipment associated with grounds maintenance.

Operate hand equipment, plant, cultivate, care for and maintain landscaped areas and turf.

Assist in the care, repair and maintenance of machinery and equipment.

Maintain and make minor repairs to buildings, fences, gates, walkways, parking lots, secondary roads and other areas.

Operate powered and unpowered equipment to remove snow and ice from sidewalks, steps, parking lots or roadways.

Evaluate and perform ice control on campus sidewalks, steps parking lots and secondary roads.

Must be able to perform overtime when needed.

Assist in hauling and moving of furniture, equipment and other campus related items.

Provide support in university event including set-ups and tear downs

Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Must be able to initiate and maintain good customer and co-worker relationships in a team environment.

Ability to navigate and use FPM work order system

Ability to consistently meet the department work schedule as designated

Capable of self-initiation of required duties of general specific nature

Ability to work with limited supervision

High School graduate or equivalent

Ability in lifting 25-50 pounds frequently and or lifting 51 to 100 pounds with assistance

Valid Driver's License, good driving record and insurable by Drake University

Preferred Qualifications:

Irrigation repair

Equipment Operator - mowers, skid loaders, forklift, boom lift, tractor, carts

Commercial Applicator License

Masonry and Hardscape

Job Duties:

• 40% - Be responsible for appearance of designated areas, to include but not limited to: Athletic Field, flower beds, common areas, trees and hardscapes. Operate tractors, mowers and related equipment associated with grounds maintenance. Operate hand equipment, plant, cultivate, care for and maintain landscaped areas and turf. 
• 30% - Operate powered and unpowered equipment to remove snow and ice from sidewalks, steps, parking lots or roadways. 
• 10% - Assist in hauling and moving of furniture, equipment and other campus related items. 
• 5% - Assist in the care, repair and maintenance of machinery and equipment. 
• 5% - Maintain and make minor repairs to buildings, fences, gates, walkways, parking lots, secondary roads and other areas. 
• 5% - Provide support in university events, including set-ups and tear downs. 
• 5% - Performs other duties as assigned.

Salary and Benefits:

At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our Drake Benefits Guide 2026. One of our popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. Tuition Benefits