Groundskeeper Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• High school diploma or educational equivalent, such as a GED.
• At least one year of grounds maintenance or horticulture experience.
• Valid driver’s license; Illinois residents must obtain a valid Illinois license within 90 days of hire, and out-of-state residents must have a valid license from their state.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Reliable and dependable, flexible, professional, and oriented toward customer service.
• Ability to perform outdoor physical work and walk several miles during the workday.
• Proficiency in the safe and correct use of hand tools such as rakes, brooms, hoes, shovels, hand pruners, saws, and loppers.
• Ability to correctly and safely use small power equipment, including blowers, mowers, chainsaws, power washers, tillers, edgers, snow blowers, and weed whips.
• Ability to safely use small tractors, water wagons, plows and brooms, riding mowers, and other equipment; basic operating knowledge of Bobcats and backhoes.
• Familiarity with the Severe Weather Emergency plan.
• Provide information and assistance to the public and work cooperatively with others toward departmental and institution-wide goals.

Nice To Haves

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in horticulture or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Horticulture or landscape design experience.
• Prior heavy equipment operator experience.
• Class C or Class B commercial driver’s license.
• Knowledge of operating and maintaining irrigation systems.
• Pesticide operator’s license; onsite training may be provided.
• Certified arborist license.
• Spanish fluency.

Responsibilities

• Perform general park duties, landscape maintenance, and horticulture according to routine operating procedures.
• Maintain work records as directed; direct seasonal employees during assigned tasks and report performance to a supervisor as necessary.
• Follow standard safety procedures and use required safety equipment.
• Care for trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants; perform planting, watering, weeding, mulching, propagation, tilling, lawn care, pruning, fertilization, plant protection, pest control, plant selection and design, and interior tropical plant maintenance.
• Perform general park duties such as waste and manure collection and disposal, recycling collection, snowplowing, construction activities, equipment maintenance and repair, irrigation system installation and maintenance, and road repairs.
• Maintain assigned quadrants through cleaning, sweeping, raking, blowing, litter pickup, safety inspections, and related duties.
• Repair sentinels, picnic tables, seating benches, and playground equipment; maintain drainage systems and animal yard surfaces; remove leaves, snow, and ice; power-wash pavement; maintain pavers; perform minor road cold patching and path mulching.
• Assist and participate constructively in departmental activities, including meetings and irregular or emergency assignments.
• Inspect assigned areas daily and report safety issues, needed repairs, and other problems to a supervisor as necessary.
• Interact with and assist the public, provide information about park schedules and activities, and deliver positive internal and external customer service.
• Keep work areas and personal presentation safe, clean, professional, and orderly; incorporate the Zoo’s mission, vision, and values into daily work.
• Perform other related duties as required.