Laborer

Roles

The General Laborer provides a variety of support services to the University’s groundskeeping, maintenance, and operations teams. This position assists with campus moves, event setups, equipment and supply transport, and basic maintenance tasks. The General Laborer plays an essential role in ensuring smooth daily campus operations and in creating clean, safe, and functional environments for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Responsibilities

• Campus Moves, Furniture, and Equipment Support
• Assist with moving furniture, office equipment, and supplies for relocations, remodels, and departmental changes.
• Install, rearrange, disassemble, and reassemble office furniture as required.
• Transport materials across campus using carts, dollies, and University vehicles.
• Organize storage rooms and inventory areas to maintain cleanliness and optimize space.
• Event Setup and Takedown
• Set up tables, chairs, staging, outdoor tents, podiums, signs, and other equipment for University events, conferences, ceremonies, and athletic activities.
• Prepare outdoor areas for campus events, including placing signage, banner installs/takedown, setting up barricades, aligning seating, or assisting with decorations.
• Remove and store event equipment promptly following events to ensure campus readiness.
• Grounds and General Maintenance Assistance
• Assist groundskeepers with routine tasks such as debris pickup, mowing, mulching, raking, and watering.
• Perform trimming/pruning of trees, bushes and brush.
• Planting assortment of plants as required.
• Participate in seasonal work such as leaf collection, snow removal, and ice mitigation.
• Fix, repair, and adjust all campus sprinkler systems as assigned.
• Daily pick up of parking lot trash, trash campus wide and trash cans, stone Crete areas as needed.
• Support maintenance staff with basic tasks including delivering parts, assisting on light repairs, and performing manual labor assignments.
• Patch blacktop areas.
• Paint light posts, parking lot painting and repair and other painting as assigned.
• Assist maintenance technicians with basic building repairs: replacing bulbs, ceiling tiles, air filters, and fixtures.
• Preventative maintenance procedures include bleacher repair and stadium sealing, fence and post repair, sidewalk and concrete sealing and repair, power washing all brick and cement as needed, roof repairs, gutter cleaning, and drain cleaning of all roofs.
• Perform minor plumbing and electrical tasks under supervision.
• Complete basic carpentry projects: shelving installation, trim repair, drywall patching, and painting.
• Support preventative maintenance by cleaning mechanical rooms, lubricating equipment, and reporting deficiencies.
• Campus Support and Logistics
• Perform campus deliveries of supplies, packages, and equipment as directed.
• Maintain work areas, storage rooms, and equipment in clean and organized condition.
• Respond to work orders and service requests in a timely and professional manner.
• Operate University vehicles and equipment safely and responsibly.
• Other Duties
• Assist with emergency response efforts, including weather events or urgent facility needs.
• Support special projects and general operations across Facilities Management.
• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the effective functioning of campus facilities and services.
  
  

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Michigan driver’s license.
• Strong time-management, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to pass a physician-certified health assessment.
  
  

Physical & Environmental

Lift and carry up to 80 pounds regularly. Work in outdoor conditions year-round (heat, cold, rain, snow). Tolerate exposure to chemicals, fertilizers, noise, and dust. Perform tasks requiring standing, walking, kneeling, and bending for extended periods.

Expectations

• Complete assigned tasks within established timelines.
• Maintain compliance with MiOSHA safety standards and University policies.
• Demonstrate initiative and accountability when working independently.
• Uphold professional conduct when interacting with students, faculty, and visitors.
• Be proficient in operating hand tools and power equipment safely.
• Use knowledge of horticultural practices and basic building systems.
• Read diagrams, safety plans, and MSDS sheets.
  
  

Northwood University has an institutional philosophy which emphasizes free enterprise in a context of limited government and individual responsibility. The ideal candidate will have a strong attraction to the mission and core values of Northwood University. Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the University’s outcomes at www.northwood.edu/aboutus/ .