Landscape Equipment Operator Trainee

This is a pool posting to fill 3 positions.

Pay Rate : $23.21 - $24.43 upon meeting probationary period requirements.

MSU Benefits: Free comprehensive health care for you and your family as well as a 10% contribution toward your retirement; Generous sick, vacation, personal and holiday time; This position is not eligible for remote work. Regular, in-person attendance is required to meet business and customer needs.

MSU Landscape Services has been maintaining campus as a living, learning laboratory since 1905. We are responsible for all aspects of landscape construction and maintenance including snow removal, signage, hardscape maintenance, golf course maintenance, tree care, and general repair on the campus of Michigan State University.

This position will assist in performing responsibilities related to the maintenance and installation of campus landscape construction projects including planting and relocating large plants and trees, installing plant beds, spreading mulch, hydro-seeding, excavating, loading and hauling materials, installing patios and retaining walls, and other landscaping responsibilities. This position will operate complex heavy equipment such as tree spades, bark blowers, hydro-seeders, loaders, back hoes, truck & trailers combinations, and other landscaping tools and equipment as well as performing manual labor tasks. This position will require participation in MSU Football tailgate clean up and participation in the Campus Snow Removal Plan by shoveling, operating snow removal vehicles and equipment, applying ice-melt products, and other related responsibilities.

25% - Assists in operating, maintaining, and inspecting a range of tools, vehicles, machinery, and complex heavy equipment related to landscape construction operations such as site excavation, installation, modification, and removal of plant beds, retaining walls, patios, walkways, irrigation, and other landscape construction tasks. Train, assign, instruct, and review tasks distributed to sup port employees. Work with and assist other Landscape Services Department crews when necessary.

25% - Receives practical training in and assists with grading, seeding, sodding, planting, digging, backfilling , hauling, mowing, hoisting, planting/transplanting, and loading operations using manual labor, hand tools, and power-driven equipment. Assists in performing maintenance work for topsoil and recycled organic material stockpiles. Assists in routinely inspecting assigned areas for evidence of disease, insects and other pests taking appropriate corrective action within the principles of Integrated Pest Management. Performs manual landscape labor such as shoveling, raking, lifting, hauling, etc. and maintain facilities and property through mowing, weed whipping, spraying, and other landscape tasks related to site construction projects or other designated areas as assigned by supervisor. 

20% - Participates in snow plan by shoveling, operating snow removal vehicles and equipment and applying ice melt products. Participates in football tailgate clean up.

15% - Assists with inventory management of Site Construction supplies. Cleans and maintains work areas, vehicles, power equipment, heavy equipment, and hand tools. Maintains accurate work records and documentation related to inventory, maintenance, operations, and support staff.

15% - Correspondence through email, training, meetings and professional development. Identifies and mitigates health hazards associated within the working environment. Provides customer service to MSU Community and the public. Responds or informs supervisory staff of complaints, comments and/or unmet service needs

• Casual knowledge of tools, equipment, methods, and materials used in landscape operations related to the specific field of employment.
• One year satisfactory experience performing job duties and operating equipment used in landscape operations related to the specific field of employment, or an equivalent combination of technical training and experience.
• One year of commercial snow removal experience operating a licensed plow vehicle.
• Possession of a valid Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification in categories Tu rf (3A), Ornamental (3B), and Right of Way (6).
• Must drive University vehicle to perform job duties of this classification.
• Required to work in variable or severe weather conditions

This position requires significant after-hours, weekend and holiday work.

Frequent lifting of 26 to 75 pounds and occasional lifting of over 75

One to three years of experience in performing tasks associated with landscape construction, installation, and restoration.

A creative and innovative lifelong learner with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population; able to problem solve within a collaborative team environment; ability to understand different perspectives while utilizing expert knowledge of the technical operations of the job.

Duties associated with this position involve exposure to human blood , serum, tissue and other body fluids; and materials covered under Universal Precautions, working in noisy (above 85 decibels) areas, ability to work in variable or severe weather conditions, frequent lifting of 26 to 75 pounds with occasional lifting over 75 pounds, carrying, pushing, pulling, and climbing.

Duties associated with this position involve exposure to human blood , serum, tissue and other body fluids; and materials covered under Universal Precautions, working in noisy (above 85 decibels) areas, ability to work in variable or severe weather conditions, frequent lifting of 26 to 75 pounds with occasional lifting over 75 pounds, carrying, pushing, pulling, and climbing.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

M-F from 5am-1:30pm or 6am-2:30pm with significant after-hours, weekend , & holiday work. Shifts may vary depending on seasonality of work requirements or emergency situations e.g. snow removal, parking ramp maintenance, football cleanup.

LANDSCAPE SERVICES

ipf.msu.edu

Advertised: Nov 11, 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: Nov 17, 2026 Eastern Standard Time

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