Grounds Technician I

Buncombe County Government; United States; On-site; USD 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Buncombe County Government in North Carolina is seeking an entry-level Grounds Technician I to maintain roughly 700 acres of county property, including parks, ballfields, and areas around County facilities. You will work with a dedicated team that emphasizes safety, continuous learning, and service to the community.

Responsibilities include lawn care, basic landscape tasks, and operating standard grounds equipment.

Qualifications

• High school graduation or equivalent with minimum 1 year experience in lawn care/maintenance, trades, or construction.
• Must be 21 years or older to operate county vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, repair and alteration of county government properties.
• Operate equipment to cut, trim, and maintain lawns and grass; manage leaves and debris.
• Prepare swimming pools for seasonal use; perform seasonal maintenance and event setup/cleanup.
• Pre-treat walkways and parking areas for inclement weather; assist with snow/ice removal.

Skills

Groundskeeping

Equipment operation

Safety awareness

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Title: Grounds Technician I

Department: General Services

External Hiring Range: $19.66 - $23.66

Compensation Grade: 2003

Posted Internally and Externally

We are seeking an entry-level Grounds Technician to join our dynamic team at our new, state-of-the-art facility. In this role, you will work alongside a dedicated team responsible for maintaining approximately 700 acres of Buncombe County property, including parks, ballfields, and areas surrounding County-owned facilities. We are committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning that strengthens our team’s capabilities and enhances the quality of service we provide to the community. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, we provide all required PPE, uniforms, and tools at no cost to employees. Join our team and be part of an organization that values excellence, innovation, and service to the community.

Purpose of the position:

The purpose of this position is to ensure that the grounds surrounding County buildings, parks, recreation facilities, swimming pools, and other properties are appropriately maintained, including regular and preventive maintenance in a professional manner.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):

High School graduation or equivalent with minimum of one (1) year of experience in lawn care/maintenance, trades, or construction. Must be 21 years of age or older to operate county vehicles.

Additional Training and Experience:

Experience in one or more trades, such as masonry, carpentry, painting, or welding, is preferred.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:

Must possess a valid driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina, that complies with federal, state, and local laws along with a safe driving record.

Physical Requirements:

Works in various environments which may include temperature variations. Position can be repetitive and physically demanding. Requires pulling, pushing, reaching, standing, squatting, and bending on a routine basis. May work in tight spaces occasionally and may include extended period of time in a prone or non-standing/non-sitting position. May be required to lift objects of 20 pounds to 50 pounds on a routine basis; up to 100 pounds occasionally.

Essential Functions of the position:

Maintain, repair and alteration of all county government owned properties. Perform construction, design, and implementation of landscape maintenance plan; complete assigned tasks on seasonal and priority schedules; ensure landscaping is free from weeds, apply mulch, and plant, replace or remove plants and bushes. Operate appropriate equipment and machinery to cut, trim, and maintain lawns and grass; rake and manage leaves and debris; cut down dead trees, trim branches, and use woodchipper to remove trees or limbs; collect and remove trash. Prepare swimming pools for seasonal use; monitor sand filtration systems Perform seasonal maintenance including power washing buildings and areas; participate in set up and clean up for special events such as the Special Olympics and Fall Festival. Pre-treat assigned walkways, parking areas, and streets for inclement weather; clear assigned streets, parking areas, and walkways of snow and ice; distribute ice melt as needed. Build, maintain, repair, and replace structures, signs, concrete slabs, patios; paint and/or stain buildings or furniture; perform woodworking and repair/build cabinets; may repair floors, roofs, or stairways Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Abilities:

Knowledge of the standard practices, material, tools, and equipment employed in general grounds / landscaping maintenance and repair of county property Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the trades involved in the work. Knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of grounds and landscaping. Skill in the use and care of the tools, equipment, and materials employed in the work. Ability to prepare and maintain routine work records and reports. Ability to express ideas effectively orally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments. Ability to use small office equipment and computers. Ability to use small, medium, and heavy equipment and machinery.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement:

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective. It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.

Buncombe County Government offers a first in class benefits package which promotes employee health and well-being.