Grounds Worker - Grounds

Mesa Public Schools; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation

Sick leave

Holidays

ASRS retirement match

Health insurance

Life insurance

Performance pay

Job summary

Mesa Public Schools is seeking a Grounds Keeper to maintain school grounds to district standards. You will perform mowing, trimming, irrigation, and landscape maintenance to keep outdoor spaces safe and attractive.

The role requires the ability to lift heavy objects, operate landscape equipment, and work early mornings, with potential overtime during events. A valid AZ driver's license is required; benefits include retirement and health coverage.

Qualifications

• Must have a valid Arizona driver’s license.
• Working knowledge and experience in the safe use of grounds supplies and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain landscaped areas including mowing, trimming, pruning, fertilizing, and watering.
• Maintain athletic fields and irrigation systems.
• Apply fertilizers and soil amendments as required.
• Operate grounds equipment and keep inventory records.
• Assist with special landscape projects and events.
• Maintain regular and on-time attendance.
• Support other staff as needed.
• Work with Mesa Public Schools as assigned.

Skills

AZ driver's license

Grounds equipment handling

Heavy manual labor

Outdoor work

Athletic fields maintenance

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Job description

• Forbes names Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

• Forbes names Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Employment Type:

Full-time (40 hours per week)

Base Hourly:

$17.78

Class/Calendar:

A13, 12 months

Benefits:

Vacation, sick leave, holidays, retirement matched through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance

Performance Pay:

Available annually

New Hire Experience:

1% of the base hourly rate granted for each year of verified like experience (within ten years) beyond the requirement, up to a ten-year maximum

New Hire Education:

1% of the base hourly rate awarded for an AA or higher degree if not required for the position

Job Summary:

To perform grounds keeping duties as required by district standards; to maintain the cleanliness and safe conditions of a school environment.

Prior to employment or during the first 3 months of new hire probationary period, drug and alcohol testing shall be required of all new contract employees who work in Grounds. Any applicants having a confirmed positive test shall not be eligible for employment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Install new and maintain established and existing landscaped areas (mow, trim, prune, fertilize and water turf, plants, shrubs, and trees)
• Install, overseed, fertilize and maintain athletic fields
• Program and perform maintenance on manual and automated irrigation systems
• Apply fertilizers and soil amendments as required or instructed
• Operate and maintain all necessary grounds equipment to provide an appropriate level of landscape maintenance
• Maintain accurate inventory records to determine supply and equipment requirements
• Retrieve and compile information as required from usage of products
• Assist, as directed by supervisor, in special landscape projects and events
• Regular and on-time attendance required
• Assist other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

Required Qualifications:

• Must have a valid Arizona driver’s license
• Working knowledge and experience in proper and safe use of grounds supplies and equipment

Preferred Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Knowledge and experience in the use and care of grounds equipment and supplies
• Knowledge and experience in all phases of landscape installation and maintenance

Skills & Competencies:

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor
• Knowledge in the preparation and layout of athletic fields is helpful
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, employees and school staff

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Primarily outdoors in various weather conditions (sun, rain, wind, cold, heat)
• Exposure to dust, pollen, fertilizers, pesticides, and other landscape-related chemicals
• Works on school campuses, athletic fields, playgrounds, parking lots, and surrounding grounds
• Office or maintenance facility for planning, scheduling, meetings, and documentation
• Usually full-time with early morning hours; may include overtime or weekend work during emergencies or special events (e.g., preparing fields for sports games)
• Regular exposure to loud equipment (mowers, blowers, chainsaws, etc.)
• Ability to lift and carry heavy objects (up to 100 lbs.), such as bags of soil, tools, or equipment parts

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.