Groundskeeper II

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•CARLSBAD, TX

4d•$2,769 - $3,548•Onsite

About The Position

The Groundskeeper II performs complex groundskeeping work at a State Supported Living Center or State Hospital. The role maintains and improves facility grounds and flower beds through mowing, weeding, fertilizing, planting, and trimming, and ensures sprinkler systems operate effectively. It safely operates power- and gas-operated equipment, maintains tools and supplies, performs minor equipment repairs, and removes debris and obstructions from roads, parking lots, fences, and sidewalks. The position also helps address nuisance animals and performs minor maintenance in collaboration with maintenance staff. The position works under limited supervision of the Maintenance Technician Supervisor or other appropriate staff, with moderate latitude to exercise initiative and independent judgment. Work may include weekend or after-hours callouts, rotating or extended shifts, overtime, on-call assignments, and disaster-response or recovery duties. The role is based at the San Angelo State Supported Living Center in Carlsbad, Texas, and is not eligible for telework.

Requirements

Experience in groundskeeping work; experience and education may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis.
Experience operating power equipment such as mowers, power clippers, tractors, chainsaws, backhoes, or pruning shears.
Must meet facility driver requirements.
Must possess a valid Texas driver's license or obtain one within 90 days after hire; applicants with an out-of-state license must provide an original certified driving record, and an eligible driving record is required under HHSC Fleet Management policy.
Must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and specified registry checks.
Must be at least 18 years old to work at a state-operated facility.
Must be able to read, understand, and apply instructions in guidelines, regulations, and policies; perform basic mathematical computations; communicate effectively; and follow written and oral instructions.
Must be able to safely operate power equipment and a variety of hand and power tools used in construction and repair.
Must be able to train and lead others and work harmoniously and productively with coworkers and residents.
Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods, work in hot and cold conditions, and lift and carry 50 to 100 pounds.
Must be able to maintain and care for hand and power tools and equipment.
Must be able to learn to detect diseases in plants and grasses and learn and apply basic horticulture knowledge.
Must be willing to work weekends and holidays; overtime, extended hours, and flexibility in work hours may be required.
Males ages 18–25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
State Supported Living Center employees are subject to random drug testing.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from a standard senior high school or equivalent is generally preferred.
Six months of professional groundskeeping work experience is preferred.
Ability to speak and read English is preferred.
Chemical application (herbicide) license is preferred.
Pesticide license is preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform routine groundskeeping, including mowing, trimming, fertilizing, planting and removing trees and shrubs, and establishing flower beds.
Maintain cemetery grounds, set headstones, excavate graves, and set up casket devices and tents if the facility has a cemetery.
Mix and apply pesticides and herbicides, treat insects around buildings, control litter, and move dumpsters for commercial trash pickup.
Safely operate gas- and power-operated equipment and tractors with implements such as front-end loaders and backhoes.
Clean, store, maintain, and inventory tools and equipment; perform minor repairs and preventative maintenance and report major issues.
Follow the grounds section's daily, weekly, and monthly work schedules, collaborate with other groundskeepers, and report significant issues to a supervisor.
Keep roads, parking lots, and sidewalks safe and clear of debris; work outside normal hours during inclement weather to address ice, snow, debris, and catch basins.
Trap and remove live nuisance animals humanely as instructed, dispose of dead animals appropriately, and take measures to prevent future issues.
Perform general maintenance, repair, and construction work with maintenance staff in keeping with skills and abilities.
Drive non-commercial trucks to haul materials and transport items around the facility.
Participate in agency disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activities as assigned.
Attend work regularly, perform other assigned duties, and meet operational needs that may require on-call service, overtime, extended hours, weekends, holidays, or alternate shifts and locations.