Horticultural Attendant

About the role

The Horticultural Attendant provides skilled labor to maintain the landscaping, grounds, athletic fields and facilities of the LSU Athletic Department. This nonsupervisory classified position requires operation of various equipment, field preparation, and general groundskeeping duties.

Key responsibilities

• Operate and maintain mowing and grounds‑maintenance equipment such as diesel‑powered lawn mowers, turf vacuums, aerators, top dressers, sod cutters, and utility vehicles.
• Assist in set‑up and tear‑down of athletic events including football, baseball, softball, soccer, track, and gymnastics meets.
• Perform cleaning of fields, stadiums, bleachers, bathrooms, and locker rooms.
• Operate power hand tools (string trimmers, blowers, pruners, edgers, pressure washers, field‑marking paint machines) and conduct preventative maintenance.
• Mark athletic fields with paint and chalk for various sports.
• Carry out specialty tasks such as planting, sodding, pruning, fertilization, pesticide/herbicide application, irrigation and drainage installation and maintenance.
• Support supervisors by training laborers, student workers, and transient workers.

Required profile

• Minimum one year of experience or training in farming, tree/shrub care, or groundskeeping, OR six semester hours in plant science or landscape studies.
• Valid Class “E” driver’s license and ability to pass pre‑employment drug screening and physical.
• Willingness to work extended days, weekends, and perform frequent lifting of 20‑60 lb (occasionally over 60 lb with assistance).

Required skills

• Operation of diesel‑powered lawn mowers, turf vacuums, aerators, top dressers, sod cutters, turf utility vehicles, and flat‑bed utility vehicles.
• Use of power hand tools: string trimmers, power blowers, pruners, edgers, pressure washers, field‑marking paint machines.
• Field marking techniques for baseball, football, soccer, and track.
• Pesticide and herbicide application, fertilization, irrigation system installation and maintenance, drainage installation and maintenance.