Grounds Technician I

Aviation Authority-Tampa International Airport; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Aviation Authority-Tampa International Airport seeks a Grounds Technician I to perform seasonal maintenance, plant care and irrigation-related tasks. You will operate tools and light equipment to maintain airport grounds, parking areas and adjacent facilities, ensuring safety and timely completion of work.

The role requires a high school diploma, 3 years of grounds experience, and certifications in Green Industry practices; several certificates are preferred.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Green Industries Best Management Practices Certificate within 6 months of hire.
• Equivalents combining education, training and experience acceptable.
• Experience in a broad range of grounds maintenance disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Perform seasonal grounds maintenance, plantings, mulching, and vegetation care.
• Operate hand tools to maintain grounds and shrubbery effectively.
• Use medium to heavy equipment such as mowers and skid steers for tasks.
• Follow landscaping designs for sod, plants and overall aesthetics.
• Maintain and inspect grounds equipment and vehicles after use.
• Coordinate daily activities and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
• Adhere to safety procedures and use PPE as required.
• Support other trades and adapt to changing project needs.

Skills

Safety procedures

Plant care

Hand tools

Mowers & skid steers

Task prioritization

Team coordination

Education

High School Diploma

Green Industries Best Management Practices Certificate

Commercial Fertilizer Certificate

Certified Landscape Maintenance Technician (FCLMT)

FNGLA Certified Horticulture Professional (FCHP)

Job description

The Grounds Technician I performs manual and skilled grounds maintenance in all seasons. Work involves developing and caring for grounds, shrubbery, and plants and improving irrigation maintenance and repairs. Grounds Technician I is assigned to the maintenance activities related to mowing grass, planting and transplanting shrubs, fertilizing, trimming, and cutting trees in the care of airport and airfield grounds, parking lot areas, parks, terminals, and other airport facilities. Performs routine cleaning and maintenance of ground equipment. May operate light trucks and assorted power equipment.

COMPENSATION

$21.40 per hour

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Perform manual and skilled grounds maintenance tasks throughout all seasons, including planting, fertilizing, and mulching vegetation.
• Operate hand tools such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, and hedge trimmers to maintain grounds and shrubbery effectively.
• Utilize medium to heavy motorized equipment, including mowers and skid steers, for various landscaping and maintenance activities.
• Execute mowing of grass, planting and transplanting of shrubs, and trimming and cutting of trees in designated areas.
• Follow planned landscaping designs to determine the layout for sod installation, flower planting, and overall landscape aesthetics.
• Conduct routine cleaning and maintenance of ground equipment to ensure optimal performance and safety.
• Clean and maintain all associated equipment and machinery, including heavy trucks and tools, after use.
• Support other trades and collaborate with team members based on operational requirements and project needs.
• Implement best management practices for grounds maintenance, focusing on plant care and environmental sustainability.
• Adhere to safety procedures and utilize safety equipment correctly while performing landscaping tasks.
• Prioritize work tasks efficiently to meet deadlines and ensure timely completion of maintenance activities.
• Maintain a clean and organized worksite, ensuring tools and equipment are stored properly after each task.
• Demonstrate strong communication skills to relay information and coordinate effectively with colleagues.
• Adapt to changing conditions and operational needs, showing flexibility in assigned tasks and responsibilities.
• Participate in training and development opportunities to enhance landscaping skills and knowledge of best practices.
• Regularly inspect and assess the condition of plants and equipment to identify maintenance or replacement needs.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required as an essential function of the position.

This list is not intended to be all inclusive and you may not be responsible for every item listed. The employer reserves the right to assign additional functions and responsibilities as necessary.

REQUIRED FOR ALL HCAA JOBS

• In the event of an emergency or disaster that impacts the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA), an employee may be required to respond promptly to duties and responsibilities as assigned by the employee’s department or the HCAA Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Such assignments may be before, during, or after the emergency/disaster.
• Complies with all HCAA Policies, Procedures, and Standards.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS)

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Three (3) years' experience in a broad range of grounds maintenance experience from various disciplines.
• Green Industries Best Management Practices Certificate required within six (6) months of hire.
• Or equivalent combination of education, training and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted below.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Commercial Fertilizer Certificate
• Certified Landscape Maintenance Technician (FCLMT)
• FNGLA Certified Horticulture Professional (FCHP)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledgeof safety procedures and the proper use of safety equipment in landscaping and maintenance work.

Knowledgeof best management practices for grounds maintenance, including plant care and environmental considerations.

Skillin operating a variety of landscaping hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, and trimmers.

Skillin operating medium to heavy motorized equipment, including mowers and skid steers.

Skillin performing a range of landscaping tasks, including mulching, fertilizing, watering, mowing, and pruning.

Skillin leading and coordinating daily activities of a workgroup to achieve operational goals.

Abilityto follow planned landscaping designs to effectively execute planting and maintenance tasks.

Abilityto prioritize work tasks efficiently to meet deadlines and operational requirements.

Abilityto perform routine maintenance tasks on landscaping equipment and machinery to ensure proper functioning.

Abilityto operate a motor vehicle safely in compliance with applicable regulations.

Abilityto maintain a clean and organized worksite, including the cleaning of equipment and tools after use.

Abilityto provide excellent customer service by addressing inquiries and assisting with landscaping needs.

Abilityto plan, organize, and supervise the work of others, ensuring productivity and quality standards are met.

Abilityto adapt to changing operational requirements and support other trades as necessary.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others within and outside the Authority.

Ability to handle restricted, sensitive, and confidential information.

• Ability to provide outstanding customer service, serve the public, and represent the Authority with courtesy and professionalism.

The Aviation Authority-Tampa International Airport provides equal employment opportunity to all persons, regardless of age, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, political affiliations, marital status, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, membership, or non-membership in an employee organization, or based on personal favoritism or other non-merit factors.

The Aviation Authority-Tampa International Airport welcomes and encourages applications from minorities, veterans, and persons with physical and mental disabilities, and will reasonably accommodate the needs of those persons in the application and testing process. The decision to grant reasonable accommodation requests will be made case-by-case.