Grounds Specialist

South Washington County Schools; Minnesota; On-site; USD 84,034,000 - 89,544,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Flexible spending accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Retirement plans

Job summary

South Washington County Schools is seeking a Grounds Specialist to care for outdoor grounds, athletic fields, irrigation systems, and exterior facilities at district sites. Under the supervision of the Grounds Foreman, you will operate a range of commercial equipment and adjust hours for weather events.

The role requires a high school diploma, a valid driver's license, three years of grounds maintenance experience, Minnesota pesticide licenses within six months, and the ability to lift 50

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license; no restrictions on district equipment operation.
• Three years verifiable experience in full-time grounds maintenance in a commercial setting.
• Three years verifiable experience operating plow trucks in a commercial setting.
• Three years verifiable experience performing commercial equipment maintenance.
• Minnesota Pesticide Applicator license (A and E) within six months of start date.

Responsibilities

• Care for outdoor grounds, athletic fields, irrigation systems, and exterior facilities.
• Operate and maintain a range of commercial grounds equipment.
• Maintain and improve turf, trees, shrubs, and landscaped areas.
• Prepare athletic fields for practices and events; line, groom, and repair surfaces.
• Record tasks and repairs in district work orders; respond to maintenance requests.

Skills

Valid driver's license

Excellent driving record

Physical fitness

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

College-level turf grass/ heavy equipment education

Class A or B CDL

Minnesota Pesticide Applicator license (A/E)

Tools

GPS guided robots

Commercial grounds equipment (tractors, skid steers)

Job description

Frontline Applicant Tracking – South Washington County Schools

• Position Type:
  Facilities/Maintenance/ Maintenance - Grounds Specialist
• Date Posted:
  8/24/2026
• Location:
  District Wide
• Date Available:
  ASAP

Position Grounds Specialist

Location District Service Center

Working Days Monday-Friday

Hours 6:30 a.m. 3:00 p.m.

Labor Grade IV

Wage Information Starting at $29.33/hour

License Pay Pesticide A - $.90 and Pesticide E - $.55

SoWashCo Schools offers a comprehensive benefits program designed to support our employees. Our benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as life insurance, supplemental life insurance, dependent life insurance, and long-term disability coverage. We also offer voluntary plans such as accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and identity protection, along with flexible spending accounts, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and retirement plans. These benefits reflect our commitment to supporting your health and well-being.

POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the daily direction of the Grounds Foreman, the Maintenance Grounds Specialist is responsible for the care, maintenance, and improvement of outdoor grounds, athletic fields, irrigation systems, paved surfaces, and exterior facilities. The position requires a high level of independence, strong technical skills, and the ability to operate a wide range of commercial equipment. This position also requires flexibility in work hours during weather-related events to ensure safe campus access.

• Perform all aspects of turf care including mowing, trimming, edging, aeration, fertilization, weed control, and overseeding.
• Maintain trees, shrubs, landscaped areas, stormwater features, and naturalized grounds.
• Apply fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides in compliance with state regulations and district procedures.
• Prepare natural and synthetic athletic fields for practices and competitions including lining, dragging, grooming, and field repairs.
• Set up and remove athletic equipment, goals, nets, and portable structures.
• Monitor field conditions and propose maintenance or renovation needs.
• Assist with irrigation start-up, shutdown, troubleshooting, and repairs.
• Safely operate and maintain commercial grounds equipment including tractors, utility vehicles, plow trucks, loaders, and skid steers.
• Perform basic preventive maintenance on equipment and coordinate repairs when needed.
• Use district work order systems to record tasks, track repairs, and close assignments.
• Respond independently to routine and emergency maintenance requests.
• Plow, shovel, and treat walkways, parking lots, and sidewalks.
• Adjust work hours as needed during winter weather events including early morning, evening, weekend, or on-call responses.
• Assist with labor support for carpentry and mechanical maintenance staff when directed.
• Work cooperatively with contractors, seasonal staff, and district personnel.
• Provide consistent professional communication with all interested parties regarding work performed.
• Other duties as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, LICENSE, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES):
Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver's license, restrictions preventing the operation of district equipment are not allowed.
• Excellent driving record.
• Three years verifiable experience in full-time grounds maintenance in a commercial setting.
• Three years verifiable experience operating plow trucks in a commercial setting.
• Three years verifiable experience performing commercial equipment maintenance.
• State of Minnesota Category A and E Pesticide Applicators license within six months of start date.
• High level of physical fitness with an ability to regularly lift up to 50 pounds.
• Prompt, regular and reliable attendance, with flexibility to adapt working hours around weather events.
• Communicates with students, parents, co-workers, supervisors, and the community in a positive and responsive way that is consistently welcoming and enhances effective work relationships.
• Demonstrates an appreciation of diversity in all interactions and job functions
• College-level education in turf grass management and/or heavy equipment maintenance.
• Class A or B commercial driver's license.
• Experience operating GPS guided robots.
• Experience in athletic coaching or in youth sports.
• Certified member of the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America.