Blue Collar Jobs

How To Get A Job As A Grounds Maintenance Worker

Grounds Maintenance personnel do more than just cut lawns and rake leaves.  If you want a job doing Grounds Maintenance, you must be physically fit, as the work often involves repetitive bending, lifting, and carrying.  You must also be reliable, self-motivated, trustworthy, and able to follow instructions and work without constant supervision.  Workers must be able to work alone or as part of a team.  Because of the nature of the work and some of the equipment used, accidents can happen if workers are not careful and vigilant in everything they do.

Job opportunities for qualified Grounds Maintenance Workers are excellent, but you must really enjoy this type of work as the entry-level salaries are not high.  They do however rise proportionately with experience and education.

Grounds Maintenance Personnel work in all public areas including schools, malls, parks, and playgrounds, as well as golf courses, estates, university campuses, playing fields, amusement parks, hotels, resorts, cemeteries, and smaller private homes.  They may work during the day, or before and after facilities are open for business.  It may be full-time or part-time.  Grounds maintenance involves working outdoors in all types of weather.  In some areas, the work will be mainly seasonal while in others it will be year round.

If you get a job as a Grounds Maintenance Worker, you will work with a variety of tools, both hand tools and mechanized tools.  These will include everything from the common rakes, shovels, and hoes, to electric leaf blowers, clippers, saws, mowers, and heavy power equipment.  The job may also include the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides.

If you get a job as a Grounds Maintenance Worker, your duties will vary depending on your education and your experience.  You may; cut, edge, and clip grass, rake leaves, clean up debris, plant bulbs, flowers, bushes, and trees, trim foliage, fertilize, aerate, water, lay sod, repair fences and planters, clean and maintain equipment, and remove litter.  Some Grounds Maintenance Workers are involved in pest control.

Education

Many Grounds Maintenance Workers in entry level positions require no specific education.  These receive on-the-job training.

However, if you wish to advance and earn a higher salary, a high school diploma and some formal training would be necessary.  In high school try to take courses in English, botany, and shop.  Any business or computer courses would also be useful if you would like to some day start your own Grounds Maintenance business.

Try to get some experience, either paid or volunteer, in a garden shop or nursery, or even doing lawn and garden care around your neighborhood.  Get some references as to your work habits and character.

It is an advantage to have a driver’s license, and a clean driving record.  Make sure you can pass a drug test if one is required.

Experience operating mechanized equipment is also an advantage, especially if you wish to advance.

If at all possible, take some extra courses in horticulture and small engine repair.

In most states, Grounds Maintenance Workers must be certified and/or licensed.  Although requirements vary from state to state, this generally involves the passing of an exam covering the use, storage, and disposal of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides.  Some Grounds Maintenance Workers choose to specialize in the use of pesticides or other areas of grounds maintenance.

If you get a job as a Grounds Maintenance Worker and have sufficient experience and education, you can advance to positions as managers, supervisors, or to owning your own business.

If you want to have a career as a Grounds Maintenance Worker, you should consider becoming certified.  Certification is available from The Professional Grounds Maintenance Society.