Grounds Maintenance Technician

Port-of-Anacortes; Anacortes (WA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

HSA contribution

PERS retirement

Paid vacation & holidays

Wellness benefit

Career development

Public service-focused team

Job summary

Port of Anacortes seeks a skilled commercial landscaper to manage daily landscape health and safety across marina, airport, and other properties. You’ll diagnose irrigation issues, perform seasonal care, and operate heavy equipment while coordinating with seasonal staff and tenants.

Ideal candidates bring pride in craftsmanship, safety-first mindset, and the ability to adapt across multiple locations under Northwest Washington weather conditions.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with at least three years of landscape experience or equivalent.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Ability to obtain Washington Pesticide Applicator License within one year.
• Ability to perform essential physical functions including lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to pass respirator fit test annually.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day appearance, health, and safety of Port landscapes.
• Perform mowing, edging, aeration, pruning, soil improvement, and fertilizer/pesticide application.
• Troubleshoot irrigation systems and adjust watering schedules.
• Operate commercial equipment safely (mowers, tractors, skid steers, boom lifts, pressure washers).
• Coordinate with seasonal staff and tenants, ensuring safety around operations.

Skills

Commercial landscaping

Irrigation troubleshooting

Equipment operation

Team coordination

Safety-minded

Public interaction

Education

High school diploma or GED

Washington Pesticide Applicator License

Valid driver's license

Tools

Zero-turn mower

Tractor

Skid steers

Boom lifts

Pressure washers

Wood chippers

Job description

Help create a world-class first impression

At the Port of Anacortes, our grounds are part of the experience. They welcome marina guests, support local businesses, frame public spaces, and help keep our marine terminal, airport, and commercial properties safe and inviting.

We're looking for a skilled commercial landscaping professional who notices the details, takes pride in doing the job right, and knows what it takes to maintain large, diverse properties year-round.

This is more than mowing lawns. You'll manage turf and plant health, troubleshoot irrigation systems, operate commercial equipment, identify needed improvements, and help ensure every Port property reflects the high standard our community, tenants, and visitors expect.

Why this role matters

Your work will be visible across the Port-from the marina and marine terminal to the airport and leased properties.

You'll help protect Port assets, improve safety, support healthy and attractive landscapes, and create a positive experience from the moment someone arrives. You'll also help guide seasonal employees and identify smarter, more efficient ways to care for our properties.

What you'll actually do

You'll take ownership of the day-to-day appearance, health, and safety of landscapes across Port properties.

This is hands-on, commercial-scale landscaping across our marina, airport, marine terminal, and leased properties. You'll balance planned seasonal work with the issues you discover along the way, using your judgment to decide what needs attention and how best to address it.

In real life, this may look like:

• Walking several properties, spotting a broken sprinkler, struggling plant, overgrown area, or safety concern, and adjusting your priorities accordingly.
• Spending the morning mowing, edging, or aerating turf before troubleshooting an irrigation controller and adjusting watering schedules.
• Pruning ornamental plantings, improving soil, applying fertilizer or pesticides, and managing vegetation near buildings, fence lines, security areas, or stormwater-sensitive zones.
• Safely operating equipment such as zero-turn mowers, tractors, skid steers, boom lifts, wood chippers, and pressure washers.
• Diagnosing why a landscaped area isn't thriving, recommending a practical solution, and documenting the work in the Port's maintenance management system.
• Guiding seasonal employees, coordinating around Port operations, and providing helpful service to tenants, visitors, employees, and members of the public.

Things you'll learn on the job

You do not need to arrive knowing every Port-specific process.

Depending on your background, you may learn more about the unique grounds-maintenance and appearance standards of our marina, airport, marine terminal, and commercial properties; working safely around active operations and public spaces; and the Port's safety program, maintenance management system, irrigation infrastructure, seasonal priorities, and environmental responsibilities.

Our people are our greatest asset, and how you contribute to our team matters. We are more than a workplace-we are a close-knit team. To that end, we are more interested in someone who takes pride in their work, collaborates well, and uses good judgment to solve problems safely than someone who checks every possible box on day one.

What we're looking for

The ideal candidate is an experienced commercial landscaper who brings pride in craftsmanship, initiative and follow-through, and safety-minded adaptability.

You will be successful in this role if you are a person who:

• Takes genuine pride in creating clean, safe, and attractive spaces.
• Notices the details and follows through without needing constant direction.
• Understands that safety always comes before speed or convenience.
• Can organize changing priorities and keep work moving across multiple locations.
• Uses equipment responsibly and follows manufacturer instructions and safety requirements.
• Communicates clearly and works well with coworkers, tenants, visitors, and outside partners.
• Is comfortable working outdoors and performing physically demanding work in changing Northwest Washington weather.
• Brings a practical, team-focused attitude to the work.

You may be a great fit if you have experience with:

• Commercial landscaping or grounds maintenance.
• Turf, ornamental plants, trees, shrubs, and seasonal landscape care.
• Irrigation troubleshooting and repair.
• Commercial landscaping tools, vehicles, and heavy equipment.
• Fertilizers, pesticides, and vegetation-management practices.
• Planning and prioritizing work across multiple properties.
• Identifying problems and taking initiative before they become larger issues.
• Working safely around vehicles, equipment, water, uneven terrain, and the public.

Minimum qualifications

We will consider any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work. At minimum, candidates must have:

• High school diploma or GED and at least three years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to pass an annual respirator fit test.
• Ability to obtain a Washington State Pesticide Applicator's License (Public Operator) within one year of hire.
• Ability to safely perform the essential physical functions of the position, including walking, bending, climbing, kneeling, and working outdoors for extended periods.
• Ability to work near water, on uneven surfaces, and around active operations.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally, 30 pounds frequently, and 10 pounds continuously.

Why you'll love working here

We truly believe loving where you work matters.

The Port of Anacortes operates a 1,000-plus-slip marina, marine terminal, airport, and a diverse portfolio of commercial properties. Our work supports local jobs, commerce, recreation, and responsible stewardship of public resources.

You'll join a hardworking, team-oriented crew that takes pride in the work, looks out for one another, and cares about safety, service, craftsmanship, and the community we serve. Your work will be seen and appreciated every day.

Compensation and benefits

The hourly pay range for this position is $34.53-$38.85, depending on qualifications and experience. This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

The Port also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, with family coverage available for under $10/month.
• Significant Health Savings Account contribution, if enrolled in an eligible plan.
• Washington State PERS retirement.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, personal leave, and compensatory time off.
• $75/month exercise and wellness benefit.
• Employee assistance program.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Supportive work environment with a focus on public service, accountability, and work-life balance.

The Port of Anacortes is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to any protected status under federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Background, MVR, and Drug Screen
Following an offer of employment, the candidate must be able to pass a background check, motor vehicle records check, and drug screen. Any job offer will be contingent on the results of these screenings.