Conservation/Groundskeeper

Located in Dubuque, IA

Salary: $50-$60k

We are seeking a Conservation & Groundskeeper to oversee environmental stewardship, historic landscape preservation, and the outdoor presentation of a large, diverse property. This role balances routine grounds care and weed management with prairie restoration, woodland conservation, trail maintenance, and community agriculture programs.

Working independently and alongside students and volunteers, this position will organize short- and long-term land management plans, coordinate with event and hospitality teams on site readiness, build relationships with conservation agencies, and maintain access lanes, gravel drives, and winter snow removal.

Key Responsibilities

Landscape & Conservation Management

• Oversee routine weed management, planting, mulching, trimming, mowing, and care of garden beds, plantings, and ornamental grounds.
• Monitor the health and safety of mature trees and plant collections and coordinate professional arbor work when needed.
• Implement prairie restoration, invasive species eradication, oak savanna management, and other conservation projects.
• Maintain hiking trails, scenic overlooks, wayfinding signage, and erosion control systems along varied terrain.
• Manage community garden plot allocations, infrastructure upkeep, soil health, and positive relationships with garden members.

Site Logistics & Seasonal Response

• Perform routine upkeep, grading, and drainage management on internal gravel roads and access lanes to keep them safe and passable for emergency vehicles, deliveries, staff, and guests.
• Perform winter snow plowing, salt/sand application, and clearing of driveways and pedestrian walkways.
• Communicate consistently with event and hospitality staff to ensure grounds are well-maintained and outdoor areas are prepared for weddings, retreats, and other gatherings.
• Assist with event setup, parking direction, traffic flow, and other site logistics during occasional major weekend events and community gatherings.

Student, Youth & Volunteer Engagement

• Supervise and mentor youth and student program participants, providing hands-on learning experiences through groundskeeping, gardening, and conservation activities.
• Organize volunteer work activities such as weeding, planting, flower bed maintenance, gardening, and general groundskeeping.
• Provide guidance on gardening and landscape maintenance practices while helping maintain clean, attractive outdoor spaces.

Planning & Organization

• Develop, organize, and execute structured plans for ongoing land upkeep, seasonal conservation projects, and equipment maintenance.
• Work independently while effectively prioritizing short- and long-term projects.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience in groundskeeping, horticulture/garden care, natural resource management, forestry, conservation, or agriculture.
• Familiarity with Midwest ecosystems, invasive species control, prairie/savanna maintenance, and tree care.
• Ability to guide, teach, and work productively alongside students and young adults in an encouraging and safety-focused manner.
• Skilled in operating and maintaining landscape and heavy equipment, including tractors, mowers, power tools, trucks, and snowplow attachments.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to work independently.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor in all weather conditions and across varied, hilly terrain.
• Flexibility to respond to winter weather needs and provide occasional weekend event support.

 

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