Groundskeeper- Full time - Excellent Benefits

Deerfield Park District; Deerfield (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Deerfield Park District is seeking a Groundskeeper to maintain and improve parks, grounds, trees, and shrubs under the supervision of the Superintendent of Parks.

Ideal candidates will have a High School Diploma, a valid Illinois Driver's license, and a Pesticide Operator's License. This full-time, non-exempt role requires outdoor work in all seasons and involves operating maintenance equipment and applying chemicals.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Illinois Dept. of Agriculture Pesticide Operator's License required.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Ability to regularly lift up to 20 lbs and occasionally up to 50 lbs.
• Comfortable working outdoors in all conditions with exposure to herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, bees, poison ivy and pollen.

Responsibilities

• Perform general maintenance of parks, landscaping, buildings, playgrounds, and athletic fields.
• Handle turf maintenance including mowing, trimming, fertilizing, aerating, irrigation, overseeding, sod installation, and establishing new turf.
• Perform landscaping maintenance such as tree, shrub, and flower planting, pruning, removals, fertilization, and irrigation.
• Apply chemical controls including pre- and post-emergent herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides.
• Remove garbage, debris, and refuse from parks, grounds, playgrounds, shelters, athletic fields, and pool areas.
• Remove snow from park district and school district roadways, parking lots, pathways, sidewalks, and ice rinks.
• Set up, take down, and maintain outdoor ice rinks and warming shelters.
• Perform basic preventive maintenance and cleaning of vehicles, equipment, and the shop.
• Install and maintain site amenities, playgrounds, fencing, basketball and soccer goals, pathways, trails, parking lots, and hard court surfaces.
• Perform general building maintenance such as cleaning, painting, roof repairs, and upkeep of soffits, siding, decks, doors, and windows.
• Inspect playgrounds, athletic fields, hard court surfaces, ice rinks, and sled hills.

Skills

Outdoor work

Lifting up to 50 lbs

Driver's license

Education

High School Diploma

Pesticide Operator's License (IDOA)

Job description

Location: Deerfield, IL

Job Id:497

# of Openings:0

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt Position.

Pay Range: $20 – $25 per hour +/- DOQ

Reports To: Superintendent of Parks

Who We Are

The Deerfield Park District was formed in 1951 with a mission to provide outstanding parks, services, facilities, and recreation programs that enrich lives, promote healthy living, and provide memorable experiences. The District includes over 25 parks and facilities — among them the Deerfield Golf Club, Sachs Recreation Center, Patty Turner Center, Jewett Park Community Center, Mitchell Pool, and Deerspring Pool. We employ an average of 300 staff, with over 500 seasonally, and are proud to be an IAPD/IPRA Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency and a two-time National Gold Medal Finalist (2021 and 2022). Learn more at www.deerfieldparks.org .

The Opportunity

Looking for a long-term job with a great parks district in a great location? Do you enjoy working outside and take pride in caring for parks, baseball fields, and green spaces? If so, we'd love to hear from you.

Under the supervision of the Superintendent of Parks, the Groundskeeper helps maintain and improve our parks, grounds, trees, and shrubs, and keeps our park facilities and athletic fields in top shape. It's a great opportunity to build hands‑on skills while contributing to spaces the whole community enjoys.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform general maintenance of parks, landscaping, buildings, playgrounds, and athletic fields.


• Handle turf maintenance including mowing, trimming, fertilizing, aerating, irrigation, overseeding, sod installation, and establishing new turf.


• Perform landscaping maintenance such as tree, shrub, and flower planting, pruning, removals, fertilization, and irrigation.


• Apply chemical controls including pre- and post-emergent herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides.


• Remove garbage, debris, and refuse from parks, grounds, playgrounds, shelters, athletic fields, and pool areas.


• Remove snow from Park District and school district roadways, parking lots, pathways, sidewalks, and ice rinks.


• Set up, take down, and maintain outdoor ice rinks and warming shelters.


• Perform basic preventive maintenance and cleaning of vehicles, equipment, and the shop.


• Install and maintain site amenities, playgrounds, fencing, basketball and soccer goals, pathways, trails, parking lots, and hard court surfaces.


• Perform general building maintenance such as cleaning, painting, roof repairs, and upkeep of soffits, siding, decks, doors, and windows.


• Inspect playgrounds, athletic fields, hard court surfaces, ice rinks, and sled hills.


• Continue education in area of responsibility and perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma plus specialized training (classes, seminars) in park management, sports turf management, or horticulture.


• Ability to obtain and maintain an Illinois Dept. of Agriculture Pesticide Operator's License.


• Valid driver's license required.


• Ability to regularly lift up to 20 lbs. and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.


• Ability to perform physical tasks such as standing, walking, reaching, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, and crouching.


• Comfortable working outdoors in all conditions — summer heat and sun, winter cold, wind, and precipitation — with regular exposure to herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, bees, poison ivy, and pollen.

Why Join Us?

• Gain hands‑on experience in park maintenance, landscaping, and turf management.


• Work in a team‑oriented environment alongside a skilled maintenance crew.


• Enjoy working outdoors while contributing to the community.


• Commitment to safety, with clear policies, training, and support.

Scheduling, Pay and Benefits

Full-Time, Non-Exempt Position. Pay Range: $20 – $25 per hour +/- DOQ.

Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with weekend rotations to meet business needs.

Excellent benefit package including Pension, paid days off (vacation, sick, holiday), medical, dental, and life insurance, free annual fitness center pass, pool pass, and free and/or subsidized Park District activities and events for employee and family members, plus more.

A full job description will be provided during the interview process.