2026-27 High School Groundskeeper - Horizon HS

Paradise Valley Unified School District; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 17,547 - 24,992; Full time

Job summary

A local school district is seeking a High School Groundskeeper to maintain grounds and athletic fields at Horizon High School. This role involves operating various maintenance equipment, ensuring safety practices, and preparing grounds for events. Candidates must have a high school diploma and the ability to work efficiently under limited supervision. This position offers an 8-hour workday for 12 months with a non-interim status at a competitive rate of $15.44/hour.

Qualifications

• Required to operate various grounds maintenance equipment.
• Must communicate effectively with diverse groups.
• High school diploma or equivalent is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Maintain grounds and athletic fields for events.
• Repair irrigation systems and related components.
• Respond to safety and operational concerns.

Skills

Operating grounds maintenance equipment

Adhering to safety practices

Basic algebra and geometry

Effective communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Tractors

Weed whips

Mowers

Hand and power tools

Job description

High School Groundskeeper
Location: Horizon High School
Term: 12 months, 8 hours/day
Grade: 13, $15.44/hour
Position: Non-Interim Position
Start Date: 7/1/2026

Purpose Statement

The job of High School Groundskeeper is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the educational process with specific responsibilities for grounds maintenance services at an assigned High School; ensuring attractive and safe grounds area/s and athletic fields; protecting against erosion; performing a variety of special grounds maintenance operations; and maintaining grounds for assemblies, events and/or recreational activities. This job reports to Site Administrator and/or Lead Ground.

Essential Functions

• Attends unit meetings, in-service training, workshops, etc. for the purpose of gathering information required to perform job functions.
• Cleans landscaped areas and related items (e.g. storm drains, fields, litter, etc.) for the purpose of preventing flooding and removing hazards.
• Consults with athletic and administrative personnel for the purpose of planning, prioritizing and scheduling grounds maintenance activities.
• Maintains job related grounds keeping equipment (e.g. mowers, loaders, trucks, weed trimmers, blowers, chain saws, etc.) for the purpose of the availability of equipment in a safe operating condition.
• Operates job related grounds keeping equipment (e.g. mowers, loaders, trucks, field marking equipment, weed trimmers, blowers, chain saws, etc.) for the purpose of providing services in an efficient and timely manner.
• Plants and/or spreads a variety of landscaping materials (e.g. plants, grass, bushes, trees, rocks, bark, etc.) for the purpose of keeping the grounds attractive and protecting against erosion.
• Prepares and maintains grounds and athletic fields (e.g. fertilizes soil, courtyards, flower beds, chalk fields, paint stripping, etc.) for the purpose of providing adequate, attractive and safe areas for assemblies, recreational activities and/or athletic events.
• Repairs irrigation systems and components (e.g. valves, wiring, timers, switches, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring equipment and/or components are in proper working order.
• Requests materials, supplies, equipment, and/or support personnel for the purpose of completing assignments in a timely manner.
• Responds to immediate safety and/or operational concerns (e.g. facility damage, vandalism, alarms, etc.) for the purpose of taking appropriate action or notifying appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Transports a variety of tools, equipment, supplies, etc. for the purpose of ensuring the availability of materials required at job site.

Other Functions

Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

Skills: are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating equipment used in grounds maintenance including tractors; weed whips; mowers; hand and power tools; etc.; adhering to safety practices.

Knowledge: is required to perform algebra and/or geometry; understand written procedures, write routine documents, and speak clearly; and understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: method of preparing and maintaining various plants; shrubs; lawns; etc.; safety practices and procedures.

Abilities: is required to schedule activities and/or meetings; collate data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing specific, defined processes; and operate equipment using a variety of standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with similar types of data; and utilize a variety of types of job‑related equipment. Some problem solving may be required to identify issues and select action plans. Problem solving with data requires following prescribed guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adhering to safety practices; meeting deadlines and schedules; working under time constraints; communicating with diverse groups; and maintaining a good rapport with students, staff and community.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision following standardized practices and/or methods; providing information and/or advising others; There is a continual opportunity to have some impact on the organization’s services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some climbing and balancing, significant stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 10% sitting, 70% walking, and 20% standing. The job is performed under temperature extremes and under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Experience

Job related experience is desired.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent.

Equivalency

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Required Testing: Certificates and Licenses

Online Driver Training Certification, Driver's License & Evidence of Insurability.

Continuing Education/Training

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Clearances

Criminal Background Clearance.

Valid Arizona DPS Level I IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card

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www.azdps.gov/services/public/fingerprint

FLSA Status

Non Exempt.

Equity Statement

Paradise Valley Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex or disability, in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the School's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), or Title II of the Genetic Information NonDiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) may contact the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.