Groundskeeper

CHESS; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 19,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Fe Community College is seeking a Regular Groundskeeper to maintain campus landscaping, perform minor repairs to grounds equipment, and support a safe, attractive environment for a diverse college community.

Duties include trash collection, irrigation installation/repair, mowing, hedge trimming, tree maintenance, and operating landscape equipment (training provided). SFCC emphasizes teamwork and safety in a dynamic campus setting.

Qualifications

• No minimum experience required.
• High School diploma or GED preferred.
• Six months experience relevant to duties preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collect trash from parking lots, sidewalks and other areas.
• Assist in installation and repair of irrigation systems.
• Mow grass and remove weeds.
• Maintain grounds maintenance equipment.
• Trim trees and hedges.
• Remove dead branches and prune trees.
• Inspect trees for pests/disease.
• Install and maintain flower beds and landscaping features.
• Operate landscape equipment (training provided).
• Move outdoor and patio furniture as needed.
• Remove snow and ice using various tools.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Irrigation systems

Equipment operation

Teamwork

Communication

Hazard handling training

Physical labor

Independent work

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Landscape equipment

Job description

Compensation

Salary Grade: CS110
Minimum Starting Rate: $16.53 p/hr
Final rate will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other relevant factors.

CompensationType

Hourly

Employment Type

Regular

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Position Summary

Maintains campus landscaping and grounds, performs minor repair to grounds equipment, and other grounds keeping tasks to maintain a safe and attractive environment. Must be committed to serving a diverse college community. Actively participates in and contributes to continuous quality improvement.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Collects trash and debris from parking lots, sidewalks, and other areas; empties trash cans.
• Assists in the installation and repair of irrigation systems.
• Mows grass and removes weeds.
• Maintains grounds maintenance equipment.
• Trims trees and hedges.
• Removes dead branches, prunes, and maintains trees.
• Inspects trees for damage from pests and disease.
• Installs and maintains flower beds and other landscaping features.
• Operates all landscape equipment. (Training provided.)
• Moves outdoor and patio furniture as needed.
• Removes snow and ice using power snow blowers, chemical ice melters, truckmounted plows, shovels, and/or ice scrapers.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of gardening and grounds maintenance practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of college policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the hazards and safety precautions associated with the work.
• Knowledge of the grounds maintenance principles.
• Knowledge of irrigation system maintenance principles.
• Skill in the operation and repair of maintenance equipment.
• Skill in decision making and problem solving.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Ability to participate in appropriate training in hazardous materials handling, storage, and disposal.
• Ability to perform physical labor.
• Ability to operate heavy and/or awkward equipment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Minimum Qualifications

• No minimum experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• Six (6) months experience relevant to the major duties of the position.

Physical Demands

• The work is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, walking, bending or crouching.
• The employee occasionally lifts heavy objects, climbs ladders, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, distinguishes between shades of color, and utilizes the sense of smell.
• Work is typically performed outdoors, occasionally in cold or inclement weather.
• The employee may be exposed to machinery with moving parts.
• The work requires the use or protective devices, such as masks, goggles, gloves.
• Must be able to work flexible hours.
• Must be available for early morning and/or late-night hours when snow or ice is forecasted.
• Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne pathogens.

Conditions of Employment

• Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico driver’s license.
• Must pass a pre-employment background check.

Schedule Designation

• This role will be required to work on-site at Santa Fe Community College.
• Typically, 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. May be required to work after hours and/or weekends. May be required to be on-call.

Best Consideration Date: 10/22/2026

Notice of Background Check and Education Verification

All offers for employment with Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) are contingent upon a successful completion of a criminal background check. Some positions may require additional educational verification for compliance with accreditation standards.

EEO Statement

As an EEO employer, Santa Fe Community College will not discriminate in our employment practices based on an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, serious medical condition or status as a protected veteran or spousal affiliation. Santa Fe Community College hires only U.S. citizens and individuals lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.

ADA Statement

The SFCC is an EOE and Affirmative Action Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), SFCC will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing and selection processes.

SFCC Recruiting Statement

Santa Fe Community College is a Hispanic-serving institution, which neighbors the eight northern Indian pueblos in Northern New Mexico. We are committed to attracting and retaining highly qualified and diverse faculty and staff. SFCC strives to make our campus a place where all individuals feel welcome, nurtured, and valued. At the heart of SFCC’s mission – Empower Students, Strengthen Community. Empoderar a los Estudiantes, Fortalecer a la Comunidad – is a commitment that higher education and opportunity should be open to everyone. SFCC fosters a welcoming environment and a climate of inclusivity for students, faculty, and staff. Join the SFCC team in working to empower students and strengthen community!