Groundskeeper IV

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Austin, TX

4d•$3,650 - $4,595•Onsite

About The Position

The Groundskeeper IV, also described as the Lead Groundskeeper, performs advanced groundskeeping work at a State Supported Living Center or State Hospital. The role designs and leads implementation of plans to improve and maintain grounds and flower beds, collaborates with maintenance staff on feasible landscaping designs, presents proposals to management, and oversees groundskeeping staff and work schedules. Work includes maintaining landscapes and equipment, operating and training others on advanced power equipment, coordinating minor repairs and general maintenance, and ensuring roads, parking lots, fences, and sidewalks are safe and clear. The role also develops plans to minimize nuisance animals and prepares for weather-related needs and other situations affecting safe facility operations. The position works under minimal supervision of the Maintenance Technician Supervisor or other appropriate staff, with extensive latitude for initiative and independent judgment. It may involve weekend or after-hours callouts, overtime or extended hours, and alternate shifts or locations during disaster response or Continuity of Operations activation. The role is based at the Austin State Supported Living Center and is not eligible for telework according to the posting's position details.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or work experience specific to groundskeeping.
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 from the licensing state, and an eligible driving record is required under HHSC Fleet Management policy.
Ability to speak and read English.
Ability to read, understand, and apply interrelated instructions, including guidelines, regulations, and policies.
Ability to train and lead a team.
Ability to perform basic mathematical computations and communicate effectively.
Ability to follow written and oral instructions and work harmoniously and productively with coworkers and residents.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, work in hot and/or cold conditions, and lift and carry 50 to 100 pounds.
Ability to maintain and care for hand and power tools and equipment.
Ability to safely fell and remove large trees near buildings and other infrastructure.
Knowledge of horticulture and landscape design and ability to apply it to landscape projects.
Advanced ability to safely operate power equipment and a variety of hand and power tools used in construction and repair, and to teach others to use the equipment safely.
Ability to plan proactively to minimize nuisance animals such as rodents, snakes, and feral cats.
Ability to teach groundskeepers to detect diseases in plants and grasses.
Must pass required fingerprint criminal background, pre-employment drug, and registry checks; state-supported living center employees are subject to random drug testing.
Must be at least 18 years old to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.
Males aged 18–25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
Must be willing to work weekends and holidays; flexibility in work hours, overtime, or extended hours may be required.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a shift or team lead.
Twelve months of professional groundskeeping experience.
Chemical application (herbicide) license; if hired, must obtain within six months.
Pesticide license; if hired, must obtain within six months.
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

Responsibilities

Develop landscaping plans with maintenance staff, including plant and flower selections, lighting, fountains, furniture, fencing, sprinkler systems, and estimated budgets; present plans to management and implement the selected plan.
Plan for, acquire, and maintain outdoor furniture and equipment.
Oversee groundskeeping staff and the quality of mowing, trimming, fertilizing, and tree and shrub removal and planting; perform groundskeeping work as needed.
Operate power and gas-operated equipment safely and train other staff in its use according to their skill and ability.
Maintain an inventory of groundskeeping tools, supplies, and equipment; ensure items are safe, maintained, and accounted for, and perform or arrange repairs within the employee’s ability and experience.
Oversee daily, weekly, and monthly grounds work schedules, including insect treatment, hedge trimming, litter control, and mowing.
Assign and prioritize tasks for groundskeepers, designate campus mowing and weed-eating zones, and assist with work details as needed.
Oversee and operate tractors and implements, including front-end loaders and backhoes, for landscaping and related work such as removing stumps, clearing debris, moving materials, digging planting areas, and responding to water line breaks.
Develop and implement a plan to minimize nuisance animals, including snakes, rodents, and feral cats; lead safe and humane trapping and removal, proper disposal of dead animals, and preventive measures.
Keep roads, parking lots, and sidewalks safe and free of debris; conduct and document sidewalk surveys on a plot plan as required by ADA and ICF requirements to help reduce slips, trips, and falls.
Plan for inclement weather by stocking supplies, deploying staff, and maintaining contractor call lists; work beyond normal duty hours as needed to address ice, snow, heavy rain, and debris.
Collaborate with maintenance supervisors and dispatch staff for general maintenance, repair, and construction work to support facility operations.
If the facility has a cemetery, maintain its grounds, set headstones, excavate graves, set up casket devices and tents, and maintain burial logs securely with a backup on the server.
Participate in or support disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activation, which may require an alternate shift or location.
Attend work regularly, follow assigned schedules, and perform other duties as assigned to support safe facility operations.