Groundskeeper

Groundskeeper

An employee in this position performs groundskeeper duties maintaining school grounds and related facilities. Work involves general landscape maintenance such as mowing grass, weed eating, edging, pruning, planting trees and shrubs, fertilizing and general clean-up activities. Groundskeeper responsibilities include ensuring grounds are maintained in accordance with established standards, operating complex equipment, and reporting work status and activities to supervisors. Work requires the employee to use various hand tools, small motorized equipment, and riding and push mowers. Work involves performance of varied tasks requiring familiarity with and some competence in basic trade practices. Much of the work is carried out in accordance with established maintenance schedules; however, new and special assignments will require specific instructions and close supervision. Employees must have the ability to execute details of work according to specific instructions and be able to adapt to frequent and varying changes in the work schedule. Some independent judgment is exercised in performing daily work activities. The employee is often assigned and is responsible for specific work areas and/or buildings and for verifying that work is complete at various other sites. Employee is subject to hazards associated with grounds maintenance work including working both inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and in close quarters requiring the use of small to medium sized equipment; employee is exposed to various hazards such as loud noises, vibration, moving mechanical parts, electrical current, chemicals, fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gasses, poor ventilation, and oils. Work may subject the employee to human body fluids and is subject to the final OSHA requirements on bloodborne pathogens. Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated by observation and in terms of the efficiency with which assigned tasks are completed.

Essential Job Functions

• Mows lawns; trims and edges around walkways, flower beds, and fences; operates and maintains lawn mowers and some power and hand tools
• Picks-up trash and debris and hauls to the appropriate area and/or receptacle
• Plants trees, bushes, shrubs, grasses and other plants
• Maintains, by way of pruning, weeding, irrigating and cutting, trees, bushes, shrubs, grasses and other plants
• Installs and repairs temporary and permanent fencing
• Loads plants, trees and shrubbery on trucks for transport
• Prepares and distributes mulch
• Installs, maintains and repairs irrigation systems with a variety of lines, parts, timers, etc.
• Cleans and maintains the shop area
• Keep streets, roads and pathways clean and free of natural debris
• Operates light to medium sized motorized equipment
• Makes minor repairs and performs preventative maintenance to motorized equipment
• Operates a variety of hand and specialty tools associated with the landscaping trade fields
• Sprays pesticides and chemicals under direction and guidance of a certified applicator
• Assures work orders and established maintenance programs are completed and reports any discrepancies to the supervisor

Performs other related work as required

Minimum Training and Experience

• Graduation from high school, 2 years experience in building maintenance trades and/or grounds work, or an equivalent combination of experience and training
• Considerable knowledge of the standard practices, materials and equipment related to grounds- keeping and various building trades
• Considerable knowledge of the operation of tractors and mowers
• Considerable knowledge of the safe and proper use and maintenance of various hand and power tools used in building and grounds maintenance work
• Ability to use various hand and power tools used in building and grounds maintenance work.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods of time, possibly under arduous conditions
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments
• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license

Physical Requirements

Must be able to perform basic life functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, grasping, pushing, pulling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects must have visual acuity to operate tractors, mowers and various hand and power tools.

Disclaimer

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.

Updated May 2026