Become A Grounds Maintenance Worker

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Working As A Grounds Maintenance Worker

Handling and Moving Objects
Controlling Machines and Processes
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Performing General Physical Activities
Getting Information

Outdoors/walking/standing
Unpleasant/Hazardous Environment
$24,856
Average Salary

What Does A Grounds Maintenance Worker Do

Grounds maintenance workers ensure that the grounds of houses, businesses, and parks are attractive, orderly, and healthy in order to provide a pleasant outdoor environment.

Duties

Grounds maintenance workers typically do the following:

Mow, edge, and fertilize lawns
Weed and mulch landscape beds
Trim hedges, shrubs, and small trees
Remove dead, damaged, or unwanted trees
Plant flowers, trees, and shrubs
Water lawns, landscapes, and gardens
Monitor and maintain plant health

Grounds maintenance workers are generally under the direction of a professional grounds manager and perform a variety of tasks to achieve a pleasant and functional outdoor environment. They also care for indoor gardens and plantings in commercial and public facilities, such as malls, hotels, and botanical gardens.

The following are examples of types of grounds maintenance workers:

Landscaping workers plant trees, flowers, and shrubs to create new outdoor spaces or upgrade existing ones. They also trim, fertilize, mulch, and water plants. Some grade and install lawns or construct hardscapes such as walkways, patios, and decks. Others help install lighting or sprinkler systems. Landscaping workers are employed in a variety of residential and commercial settings, such as homes, apartment buildings, office buildings, shopping malls, and hotels and motels.

Groundskeeping workers, also called groundskeepers, maintain grounds. They care for plants and trees, rake and mulch leaves, and clear snow from walkways. They work on athletic fields, golf courses, cemeteries, university campuses, and parks, as well as in many of the same settings that landscaping workers work. They also see to the proper upkeep of sidewalks, parking lots, fountains, fences, planters, and benches, as well as groundskeeping equipment.

Groundskeeping workers who care for athletic fields keep natural and artificial turf in top condition, mark out boundaries, and paint turf with team logos and names before events. They mow, water, fertilize, and aerate the fields regularly. They must ensure that the underlying soil on fields with natural turf has the composition required to allow proper drainage and to support the grass used on the field. In sports venues, they vacuum and disinfect synthetic turf to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and they remove the turf and replace the cushioning pad periodically.

Groundskeepers in parks and recreation facilities care for lawns, trees, and shrubs; maintain playgrounds; clean buildings; and keep parking lots, picnic areas, and other public spaces free of litter. They also may erect and dismantle snow fences and maintain swimming pools. These workers inspect buildings and equipment, make needed repairs, and keep everything freshly painted.

Some groundskeepers specialize in caring for cemeteries and memorial gardens. They dig graves to specified depths, generally using a backhoe. They mow grass regularly, apply fertilizers and other chemicals, prune shrubs and trees, plant flowers, and remove debris from graves.

Greenskeepers maintain golf courses. Their work is similar to that of groundskeepers, but they also periodically relocate holes on putting greens and maintain benches and tee markers along the course and provide more intense turf maintenance. In addition, greenskeepers keep canopies, benches, and tee markers repaired and freshly painted.

Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators apply herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides on plants or the soil to prevent or control weeds, insects, and diseases. Those who work for chemical lawn or tree service firms are more specialized, inspecting lawns for problems and applying fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals to stimulate growth and prevent or control weeds, diseases, or insect infestations.

Tree trimmers and pruners, also called arborists, cut away dead or excess branches from trees or shrubs to clear utility lines, roads, and sidewalks. Although many of these workers strive to improve the appearance and health of trees and plants, some specialize in diagnosing and treating tree diseases. Others specialize in pruning, trimming, and shaping ornamental trees and shrubs. Tree trimmers and pruners use chain saws, chippers, and stump grinders while on the job. When trimming near power lines, they usually work on truck-mounted lifts and use power pruners.

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How To Become A Grounds Maintenance Worker

Most grounds maintenance workers need no formal education and are trained on the job. Most states require licensing for workers who apply pesticides and fertilizers.

Education

Although most grounds maintenance jobs have no education requirements, some employers may require formal education or certification in areas such as landscape design, horticulture, or arboriculture.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Most states require workers who apply pesticides and fertilizers to be licensed. Obtaining a license usually involves passing a test on the proper use and disposal of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides.

The National Association of Landscape Professionals offers seven certifications in landscaping and grounds maintenance for workers at various experience levels.

The Tree Care Industry Association offers certification for tree care safety professionals.

The International Society of Arboriculture offers six certifications for workers at various experience levels.

The Professional Grounds Management Society offers certification for workers at various experience levels.

Training

A short period of on-the-job training is usually enough to teach new hires the skills they need, which often include how to plant and maintain areas and how to use mowers, trimmers, leaf blowers, small tractors, and other equipment. Large institutional employers such as golf courses, university campuses, or municipalities may supplement on-the-job training with coursework in horticulture or small-engine repair.

Advancement

Grounds maintenance workers who have good communication skills may become crew leaders or advance into other supervisory positions. Becoming a manager or a landscape contractor may require some formal education and several years of related work experience. Some workers use their experience to start their own landscaping companies.

Important Qualities

Physical stamina. Grounds maintenance workers must be capable of doing physically strenuous labor for long hours, occasionally in extreme heat or cold.

Self-motivated. Because they often work with little supervision, grounds maintenance workers must be able to do their job independently.

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Grounds Maintenance Worker jobs

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Grounds Maintenance Worker Typical Career Paths

Average Length of Employment

Grounds/Maintenance Specialist 3.4 years
Grounds Maintenance Supervisor 2.3 years
Maintenance Worker 2.3 years
Grounds Keeper 2.2 years
Groundskeeping Maintenance 2.2 years
Lawn Maintenance Worker 2.2 years
Grounds Maintenance Worker 2.0 years
Landscaper 1.9 years
Ground Worker 1.9 years
Landscape Labour 1.9 years
Parks Maintenance Worker 1.8 years

Top Careers Before Grounds Maintenance Worker

Top Careers After Grounds Maintenance Worker

Grounds Maintenance Worker Demographics

Gender

Male
87.9%
Female
10.6%
Unknown
1.4%

Ethnicity

White
82.1%
Hispanic or Latino
11.4%
Asian
5.1%
Unknown
0.9%
Black or African American
0.5%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
83.3%
Russian
5.6%
German
5.6%
Japanese
5.6%

Grounds Maintenance Worker

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Grounds Maintenance Worker Education

Schools

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
8.7%
Liberty University
6.5%
Portland Community College
6.5%
West Virginia University
6.5%
Fayetteville Technical Community College
6.5%
Calvin College
4.3%
Washington State University
4.3%
Ventura College
4.3%
Vincennes University
4.3%
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College
4.3%
North Central Kansas Technical College
4.3%
State University of New York Albany
4.3%
Mesa Community College - Boswell
4.3%
College of Southern Maryland
4.3%
Grand Valley State University
4.3%
Universal Technical Institute
4.3%
Hocking College
4.3%
Parkland College
4.3%
University of Louisville
4.3%
University of Kansas
4.3%

Majors

Business 16.7%
General Studies 12.2%
Automotive Technology 7.8%
Applied Horticulture 6.7%
Precision Metal Working 6.1%
Criminal Justice 5.6%
Kinesiology 5.0%
Psychology 4.4%
Computer Science 3.9%
Management 3.9%
Political Science 3.3%
Mechanical Engineering 3.3%
Education 2.8%
Health Education 2.8%
Plant Sciences 2.8%
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians 2.8%
Computer Networking 2.8%
Sociology 2.8%
Drafting And Design 2.2%
Electrical Engineering Technology 2.2%

Degrees

Other
41.4%
Bachelors
28.0%
Associate
14.2%
Certificate
8.8%
Masters
3.7%
Diploma
3.4%
License
0.3%
Doctorate
0.3%

Grounds Maintenance Worker

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Real Grounds Maintenance Worker Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Grounds Maintenance Worker	Weian L.P.	East Hampton, NY	Dec 18, 2009	$37,566
Grounds Maintenance Worker	Ocean Bay Management, Inc.	NY	Mar 15, 2013	$32,349
Grounds Maintenance Worker	General Imports Corp	MD	Aug 15, 2013	$31,305
Ground Maintenance Worker	Cespedes and Sons LLC	Warren, NJ	Jun 09, 2010	$30,074
Grounds Maintenance Worker	Pete's Lawn Care, Inc.	NY	May 16, 2013	$30,011
Grounds Maintenance Worker	The Merriam Manor at Newton	Newton, NJ	Aug 03, 2016	$29,900
Grounds Maintenance Worker	Y&L Landscaping Inc.	Baltimore, MD	Apr 01, 2016	$28,571
Grounds Maintenance Worker	Y and L Landscaping Inc.	Baltimore, MD	Apr 01, 2016	$28,571
Landscape, Grounds Maintenance Worker	Fullerton Landscape Architects, LLC	NJ	Mar 31, 2014	$28,404
Grounds Maintenance Worker	Y&L Landscaping Inc.	MD	Mar 15, 2015	$28,300
Grounds Maintenance Worker	Ismael Masonry LLC	Pontiac, MI	Jun 07, 2016	$27,256
Grounds Maintenance Worker	Prunty Lawn Care	MO	Apr 06, 2015	$26,108
Grounds Maintenance Worker	Pizzo Contracting Inc.	Toms River, NJ	Jun 26, 2015	$25,917
Grounds Maintenance Worker	Smoketree Landscape Services, Inc.	LA	Mar 01, 2014	$25,628
Grounds Maintenance Worker	Summit Landscape and Design	San Antonio, TX	Apr 25, 2016	$25,482
Grounds Maintenance Worker	Vanderbilt Landscaping, LLC	Smyrna, TN	Apr 01, 2016	$25,086
Grounds Maintenance Worker	Vanderbilt Landscaping, LLC	TN	Apr 01, 2015	$24,940
Grounds/Maintenance Worker	Mammoser Farms, Inc.	Eden, NY	Nov 30, 2016	$24,501
Grounds Maintenance Worker	Lot Maintenance of Ok, Inc.	Tulsa, OK	Apr 08, 2008	$23,896
Grounds/Maintenance Worker	Mammoser Farms, Inc.	Eden, NY	Nov 30, 2015	$23,500
Winter Grounds Maintenance Worker	Rexcroft Farm, LLC	Athens, NY	Dec 25, 2015	$23,500
Laborer, Grounds Maintenance Workers	Basin Contractors, LLC	Rosedale, LA	Apr 15, 2016	$23,416
Winter Grounds Maintenance Worker	Rexcroft Farm, LLC	Athens, NY	Dec 13, 2014	$23,416
Grounds/Maintenance Worker	Mammoser Farms, Inc.	Eden, NY	Nov 30, 2014	$23,416
Grounds Maintenance Worker	Lot Maintenance of Ok, Inc.	Tulsa, OK	Apr 02, 2008	$22,957
Grounds Maintenance Worker	Lot Maintenance of Ok, Inc.	Tulsa, OK	Feb 22, 2008	$22,957
Grounds Maintenance Workers	TG Resources LLC	Duncan, OK	Apr 01, 2016	$22,936
Grounds Maintenance Worker	Hill Country Assisted Living	Boerne, TX	Aug 21, 2015	$22,915
Grounds/Maintenance Worker	Mammoser Farms, Inc.	Eden, NY	Nov 30, 2013	$22,769

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Top Skills for A Grounds Maintenance Worker

Top Grounds Maintenance Worker Skills

Safety Rules
Hand Tools
Flower Beds

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Performed work according to all applicable safety rules and procedures.
Used hand tools to change worn cutting tools.
Cut lawn using hand, power or riding mower and trim and edge around walks, flower beds, and walls.
Mowed and edged lawns, trimmed hedges, pruned trees, used a weed eater for weed abatement and touch ups.
Used hands and Power tools for grounds and building maintenance.