About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in how we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary

The Grounds team consists of 30-plus groundskeepers, arborists, and other specialists who develop and maintain our 300-acre tree-lined campus in an environmentally sensitive and aesthetically pleasing manner. This dedicated team works throughout the year in all weather conditions while caring for our trees, fields, gardens, and lawns. Our mission is to create a great first impression and support the university’s teaching and research mission through our practical and innovative stewardship of the campus landscape. 

The Groundskeeper will perform general landscape maintenance, including mowing, edging, trimming, pruning, raking, planting, watering, and weeding turf, trees, shrubs, and flowers on campus. The Groundskeeper will also clean streets, sidewalks, loading docks, and parking lots.

The ideal candidate understands that success in this role requires a commitment to teamwork, a willingness to learn, flexibility in work assignments, and a dedication to first-class customer service.

Workplace Requirements

This position is exclusively on-site, so that all duties are done in person. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. 

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the salary starts at $17.00 an hour. Non-exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Requirements

No formal education Six (6) months of related landscaping/grounds work maintenance experience Skills Dependability Ability to follow instructions. Basic knowledge of grounds maintenance

Preferences

HS Diploma or equivalent One year or more experience in landscape maintenance work Good communication skills and a willingness to obtain specialized training

Essential Functions

Maintains landscape plants Mows, edges, trims, prunes, rakes, plants, waters, weeds the turf, trees, shrubs, ground cover, and flowers on campus Cleans assigned areas after work is complete Picks up litter and empties trash cans Cleans streets, sidewalks, loading docks, and parking lots Fertilizes plants Keeps area drain grates clean Moves furniture and other items as assigned Performs all other duties assigned

Work Environment: Work is done outdoors, exposure to inclement weather (hot, cold, rain, etc.)

Physical Demands

HEAVY – Exert up to 70 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Requires walking or standing up to eight hours daily and multi-limb coordination to operate heavy equipment and drive a vehicle. Other physical requirements of the job include the ability to bend/crouch/or kneel, lift, see, reach, climb, and balance.

Essential Personnel

This position is considered essential during a campus emergency. The incumbent in this position is expected to report to campus, provide the essential services designated, and work under the overall direction of the Crisis Management Team for the duration of a campus emergency.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits 

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and the full inclusion of all qualified persons in the workplace. This commitment includes providing reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. For applicants with disabilities who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.