Senior Groundskeeper

Date: Jun 5, 2026 Location: KERRVILLE, TX Job Summary Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state‑of‑the‑art treatment that is recovery‑oriented and science‑based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below. The Groundskeeper IV (Senior Groundskeeper) performs highly complex (senior level) groundskeeping work at a State Hospital. The Senior Groundskeeper maintains and improves the appearance of grounds and flower beds for the hospitals, including mowing, weeding, fertilizing, and ensuring the effective operations of sprinkler systems. Removes plants and trims trees and shrubs. Assigns and prioritizes the work of other groundskeeping staff to accomplish daily and weekly tasks most effectively. Serves a team lead on groundskeeping projects and maintains the schedules for routine work. The Senior Groundskeeper safely and efficiently operates power and gas‑operated equipment to complete duties and trains others to use the equipment. The Senior Groundskeeper ensures grounds‑keeping tools, supplies, and equipment are well maintained and accounted for. Performs minor repairs on equipment in accordance with training and skill level. The Senior Groundskeeper ensures parking lots, roads, fences, and sidewalks are free from obstructions and in good repair. The Senior Groundskeeper minimizes the presence and impact of nuisance animals at the hospitals (e.g., snakes, rodents, and feral cats). Performs some maintenance duties as needed in conjunction with maintenance staff. Works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Responsibilities & Duties Mow, trim, fertilize, remove and plant trees and shrubs. Ensure the safe and effective use of gas and power‑operated tools. Train other staff to use tools commensurate with skill and ability. Implement daily, weekly and monthly scheduling of work. Assign, prioritize and lead the work of other groundskeepers. Oversee quality of work for other groundskeepers and assist as necessary. Initiate and execute hospital beautification projects such as designing and planting new flowerbeds with supervisor approval. Operate tractors with implements such as front‑end loaders and backhoes for digging, debris removal and landscaping materials handling. Ensure roads, parking lots and sidewalks are safe and free from debris. Assist with conducting sidewalk surveys and documenting in a plot plan as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Work beyond normal duty hours during inclement weather to remove ice or snow and clear debris from catch basins during heavy rain. Minimize the presence and impact of nuisance animals (e.g., snakes, rodents, feral cats) and take appropriate measures to abate future issues. Perform general maintenance, repairs and construction work for the hospital in collaboration with maintenance staff. If required, perform cemetery duties including maintaining grounds, setting head stones, excavating graves for funerals, and setting up casket devices and tents. Essential Functions Attend work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime. Ensure safe and effective use of gas and power‑operated tools and train other staff. Implement daily, weekly, and monthly scheduling of work in the groundskeeping department. Assign, prioritize and lead the work of other groundskeepers. Oversee quality of work for other groundskeepers and assist as necessary. Initiate and execute projects for hospital beautification and ensure sprinkler systems are in working order. Operate tractors with implements for digging out tree stumps, cleaning up debris, moving large amounts of gravel, sand, mulch, and other landscaping materials. Ensure roads, parking lots, and sidewalks are safe and free from debris and report any major issues to supervisor. Assist with conducting sidewalk surveys and documenting in a plot plan as required by the ADA to reduce slips, trips, and falls. Work beyond normal duty hours during inclement weather to remove ice or snow from sidewalks, roadways, and clears debris from catch basins during heavy rain. Minimize the presence and impact of nuisance animals and take action to safely and humanely trap and remove live animals. Perform general maintenance, repairs, and construction work for the hospital in collaboration with maintenance staff. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Know how to safely fell and remove large trees in and around buildings and other infrastructures. Know how to minimize the presence of nuisance animals such as rodents, snakes and feral cats. Knowledge of horticulture and landscape design and the ability to apply that knowledge to landscape projects. Skills in safely operating power equipment such as mowers, power clippers, tractors, chain saws, backhoes, and pruning shears, and a variety of hand and power tools used in construction/repair; ability to teach/train others to use this equipment safely. Ability to read, understand, and apply a variety of inter‑related instructions such as those found in guidelines, regulations, and policies. Ability to perform basic mathematical computations. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to follow written and oral instructions. Ability to coach, train, and lead others. Ability to stand or walk for extended periods of time. Ability to work in hot and/or cold conditions. Ability to work harmoniously and productively with co‑workers and patients. Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. Ability to withstand long periods of standing, bending and walking. Ability to maintain and care for hand and power tools and equipment. Ability to teach other groundskeepers to detect diseases in plants and grasses. Qualifications & Eligibility Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out‑of‑state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of licensure. Nine (9) months of experience operating power equipment (e.g., mowers, electric clippers, tractors, chain saws, sod cutter, pruning shears). Nine (9) months of experience as a laborer, farmer, gardener, florist helper, groundskeeper, or similar work involving general duties which may include planting and maintenance of vegetation, landscaping, nursery inspections, or equivalent to a Groundskeeper. Compliance with the HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state‑operated facility (Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age). Flexibility in work hours may be required. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Application Information The posting closed on 09/03/2026. #J-18808-Ljbffr