Maintenance Worker

Maintenance Worker/Groundskeeper

Position: Maintenance Worker/Groundskeeper

Department: Maintenance

Reports To: Maintenance Supervisor or Designee

Employment Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Position Summary

The Maintenance Worker/Groundskeeper performs general maintenance and groundskeeping duties for all Bland County Public Schools properties. The primary focus of this position is maintaining school grounds, athletic areas, landscaping, and other outdoor spaces in a safe, clean, functional, and attractive condition. During periods when groundskeeping work is limited, the employee assists with general building maintenance, repairs, custodial support, snow and ice removal, and other duties as assigned.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Mows and trims grass at schools, administrative buildings, athletic facilities, and all other division-owned properties.
• Operates weed eaters, lawn mowers, tractors, blowers, chainsaws, and other groundskeeping equipment.
• Mulches landscaped areas, flowerbeds, trees, and shrubs.
• Prunes bushes, shrubs, small trees, and low-hanging branches.
• Rakes and removes leaves, grass clippings, brush, limbs, and other outdoor debris.
• Plants, waters, and maintains grass, trees, shrubs, flowers, and landscaped areas.
• Applies seed, fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, and other lawn-care products when properly trained and authorized.
• Maintains sidewalks, parking areas, entrances, playgrounds, fence lines, drainage areas, and athletic grounds.
• Inspects school grounds for holes, fallen limbs, damaged equipment, trip hazards, and other unsafe conditions.
• Reports hazardous conditions and completes or assists with necessary corrective work.
• Cleans and maintains gutters, drains, ditches, culverts, and stormwater areas.
• Removes litter and maintains outdoor trash and recycling areas.
• Assists with preparing athletic fields and outdoor areas for school activities and special events.
• Performs snow and ice removal, including shoveling, plowing, salting, and treating sidewalks, entrances, and parking areas.
• Performs preventive maintenance and minor repairs on lawn equipment, tools, vehicles, and machinery.
• Assists with basic plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, HVAC, and general building repairs within the employee's training and authorization.
• Moves furniture, equipment, supplies, and materials as needed.
• Assists with deliveries, setup, cleanup, and emergency maintenance needs.
• Maintains accurate records of completed work, equipment use, inspections, and materials used.
• Properly stores, secures, and maintains tools, equipment, fuel, chemicals, and supplies.
• Follows all division safety procedures and uses appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Responds to urgent maintenance situations, including after-hours calls, when required.
• Works cooperatively with school administrators, employees, students, contractors, and the public.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Maintenance Supervisor or designee.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of basic groundskeeping, landscaping, and general maintenance practices.
• Ability to safely operate lawn mowers, tractors, weed eaters, blowers, chainsaws, hand tools, and power equipment.
• Ability to recognize and report safety hazards.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to organize work and complete assigned duties with limited supervision.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to communicate professionally with employees and the public.
• Ability to work safely around students, staff, vehicles, and school activities.
• Ability to respond appropriately to changing weather conditions, emergencies, and division priorities.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous experience in groundskeeping, landscaping, lawn care, construction, facilities maintenance, or a related field preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Licenses and Other Requirements

• Valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record required.
• Must successfully complete all employment screenings and background checks required by Bland County Public Schools and Virginia law.
• Must be able to obtain any required pesticide, equipment, or safety certifications.
• Must be available to work outside the regular schedule when necessary for snow removal, emergencies, special events, or urgent maintenance needs.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to:

• Regularly stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, reach, push, pull, and perform repetitive movements.
• Frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift heavier items with assistance or appropriate equipment.
• Operate motorized equipment and use hand and power tools safely.
• Work from ladders and in elevated or confined areas when properly trained.
• Perform physically demanding work for extended periods.
• Work outdoors in heat, cold, rain, snow, wind, humidity, dust, pollen, and other weather or environmental conditions.
• Work around noise, fumes, fuel, chemicals, insects, vegetation, moving equipment, and uneven terrain.
• Wear required personal protective equipment.

Work Environment

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors at all Bland County Public Schools properties. The employee may be exposed to inclement weather, temperature extremes, loud equipment, dust, fumes, chemicals, insects, sharp tools, moving machinery, and other conditions associated with groundskeeping and facility maintenance.

Three letters of reference are required

Bland County Public Schools reserves the right to close or remove this job posting at any time, including before the advertised closing date, at its discretion.