What are the responsibilities and job description for the Landscape Specialist position at Inside Higher Ed?
Logo:
Posting Number:
STA00765PO25
Job Family:
Building and Grounds Maintenance
Job Function:
Groundskeeping/Landscaping/Turf Management
USC Market Title:
Landscape Specialist
Link To USC Market Title:
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/132201
Job Level:
A2 - Administrative/Operational Support
Business Title (Internal Title):
Landscape Specialist
Campus:
Columbia
Work County:
Richland
College/Division:
Division of Administration and Finance
Department:
DAF Facilities Landscaping
State Pay Band:
4
Approved Starting Salary:
$34,532
Advertised Salary Range:
$34,532 - $43,165
Location of Vacancy:
SC
Part/Full Time:
Full Time
Hours Per Week:
37.5
Work Schedule:
12 months
Job Search Category:
Trades/Maintenance
About University Of South Carolina:
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Veterans' Preference Statement:
The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.
Advertised Job Summary:
Responsible for landscaping and grounds maintenance operations for the University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus and various off-site locations.
Job Related Minimum Required Education And Experience:
Performs administrative related tasks to include completing incident reports as necessary to communicate accidents, equipment damage or failure, and any other relevant issues; requesting and restocking supplies and equipment from supervisor using various supply sheets and request forms to maintain adequate supplies; daily inspection of equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation of equipment; and completes/maintains accurate daily labor sheets and leave requests.
Essential Function:
Yes
Percentage Of Time:
10
Job Duty:
Applies total quality management/continuous improvement principles and processes by attending training and meetings; providing on the job training to new and temporary employees; working in teams to provide quality services in a timely manner; sharing information and suggesting improvements in work methods; trouble shooting problems and reporting difficulties to supervisor; communicating and interacting with faculty, staff, students, building liaisons, and campus visitors as necessary; working at different locations as necessary to fill in for absent employees or to alleviate overload conditions; and responding to emergency weekend and/or hazardous weather plan call-backs in order to keep management informed of incidents, issues, and needs; to provide a positive and high level of customer service; and to share best practices and resolve problems within the Landscaping services areas.
Percentage Of Time:
15
Job Duty:
Performs inspections of assigned areas by walking through and observing conditions in order to gather information for reporting to supervisor, communicate with customers, report safety concerns, and provide a visible Landscaping presence to staff, faculty, students, and visitors.
Job Duty:
Performs additional related job tasks as necessary.
Essential Function:
No
Percentage Of Time:
5
Job Duty:
Performs landscaping duties to include but not limited to planting, tilling, soil preparation, watering, pruning, fertilizing, weeding, communicating need for pest control, irrigation, or any other problematic issues, operating gas-powered and manual equipment including edgers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, blowers, vacuums, mowers, spreaders, rakes, shovels, and hoes, egressing all hardscapes surrounding assigned buildings including but not limited to parking lots, drives, walks, stairwells, and garages, and collecting and removing refuse and litter while adhering to University and department policies and procedures, applicable standards for the specific type of work, safety codes, and OSHA regulations, and using applicable equipment and appropriate supplies in order to maintain a safe, clean, and attractive environment, and keep up the property value.
Percentage Of Time:
55
Safety Sensitive Or Security Sensitive:
Yes
Essential
Hazardous weather category:
Number Of Vacancies:
1
Job Open Date:
09/23/2025
Job Close Date:
02/06/2026
Open Until Filled:
No
Special Instructions To Applicant:
This posting is a re-advertisement. Applications previously submitted are still being considered. Previous applicants do no need to reapply.
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by February 6, 2026.
The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
Quicklink For Posting:
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/195200
EEO Statement:
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Posting Number:
STA00765PO25
Job Family:
Building and Grounds Maintenance
Job Function:
Groundskeeping/Landscaping/Turf Management
USC Market Title:
Landscape Specialist
Link To USC Market Title:
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/132201
Job Level:
A2 - Administrative/Operational Support
Business Title (Internal Title):
Landscape Specialist
Campus:
Columbia
Work County:
Richland
College/Division:
Division of Administration and Finance
Department:
DAF Facilities Landscaping
State Pay Band:
4
Approved Starting Salary:
$34,532
Advertised Salary Range:
$34,532 - $43,165
Location of Vacancy:
SC
Part/Full Time:
Full Time
Hours Per Week:
37.5
Work Schedule:
- Monday-Friday 7:00a.m-3:30p.m.
12 months
Job Search Category:
Trades/Maintenance
About University Of South Carolina:
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Veterans' Preference Statement:
The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.
Advertised Job Summary:
Responsible for landscaping and grounds maintenance operations for the University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus and various off-site locations.
Job Related Minimum Required Education And Experience:
- Typically holds a high school diploma or GED. Requires 1 or more years of job related experience.
- Driver’s license required.
- Skilled in landscape maintenance, skilled with landscape maintenance equipment, employee must use initiative and be proactive in discharging duties.
Performs administrative related tasks to include completing incident reports as necessary to communicate accidents, equipment damage or failure, and any other relevant issues; requesting and restocking supplies and equipment from supervisor using various supply sheets and request forms to maintain adequate supplies; daily inspection of equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation of equipment; and completes/maintains accurate daily labor sheets and leave requests.
Essential Function:
Yes
Percentage Of Time:
10
Job Duty:
Applies total quality management/continuous improvement principles and processes by attending training and meetings; providing on the job training to new and temporary employees; working in teams to provide quality services in a timely manner; sharing information and suggesting improvements in work methods; trouble shooting problems and reporting difficulties to supervisor; communicating and interacting with faculty, staff, students, building liaisons, and campus visitors as necessary; working at different locations as necessary to fill in for absent employees or to alleviate overload conditions; and responding to emergency weekend and/or hazardous weather plan call-backs in order to keep management informed of incidents, issues, and needs; to provide a positive and high level of customer service; and to share best practices and resolve problems within the Landscaping services areas.
Percentage Of Time:
15
Job Duty:
Performs inspections of assigned areas by walking through and observing conditions in order to gather information for reporting to supervisor, communicate with customers, report safety concerns, and provide a visible Landscaping presence to staff, faculty, students, and visitors.
Job Duty:
Performs additional related job tasks as necessary.
Essential Function:
No
Percentage Of Time:
5
Job Duty:
Performs landscaping duties to include but not limited to planting, tilling, soil preparation, watering, pruning, fertilizing, weeding, communicating need for pest control, irrigation, or any other problematic issues, operating gas-powered and manual equipment including edgers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, blowers, vacuums, mowers, spreaders, rakes, shovels, and hoes, egressing all hardscapes surrounding assigned buildings including but not limited to parking lots, drives, walks, stairwells, and garages, and collecting and removing refuse and litter while adhering to University and department policies and procedures, applicable standards for the specific type of work, safety codes, and OSHA regulations, and using applicable equipment and appropriate supplies in order to maintain a safe, clean, and attractive environment, and keep up the property value.
Percentage Of Time:
55
Safety Sensitive Or Security Sensitive:
Yes
Essential
Hazardous weather category:
Number Of Vacancies:
1
Job Open Date:
09/23/2025
Job Close Date:
02/06/2026
Open Until Filled:
No
Special Instructions To Applicant:
This posting is a re-advertisement. Applications previously submitted are still being considered. Previous applicants do no need to reapply.
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by February 6, 2026.
The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
- Health and Life Insurance
- Retirement Programs
- Paid Tuition
- Dependent Scholarships
- Annual Leave
- Sick Leave
- 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Professional Development Opportunities
Quicklink For Posting:
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/195200
EEO Statement:
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Salary : $34,532 - $43,165