Groundskeeper IV

HOUSTON APARTMENT FOUNDATION; Texas; On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team committed to enhancing the beauty and safety of our facilities. As a Groundskeeper IV, you will play a crucial role in maintaining the grounds of a State Supported Living Center, ensuring a welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike. This position involves a variety of tasks, from mowing and planting to operating power equipment and leading a team of groundskeepers. With a focus on teamwork and community, you'll contribute to a mission that values wellness and independence. If you're passionate about landscaping and enjoy working outdoors, this is the perfect opportunity for you to make a meaningful impact.

Benefits

100% paid employee health insurance

Defined benefit pension plan

Generous time off benefits

Career advancement opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in groundskeeping work is essential.
• Knowledge of horticulture and landscape design is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform groundskeeping maintenance including mowing and trimming.
• Train and lead other groundskeepers in safe equipment use.
• Oversee the quality of work and execute beautification projects.

Skills

Groundskeeping

Horticulture

Power Equipment Operation

Team Leadership

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Tools

Gas-operated Tools

Power Tools

Tractors

Job description

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional Title: Groundskeeper IV

Job Title: Groundskeeper IV

Agency: Health & Human Services Comm

Department: Groundskeeping

Posting Number: 1730

Closing Date: 03/19/2025

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance

Salary Group: TEXAS-A-12

Salary Range: $3,047.58 - $4,149.83

Shift: Day

Additional Shift: Days (First)

Telework: Not Applicable

Travel: Up to 5%

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt

Facility Location: Denton State Supported Living Center

Job Location City: DENTON

Job Location Address: 3980 STATE SCHOOL RD

Other Locations: Denton

MOS Codes: 8000

Brief Job Description:

Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.

The Groundskeeper IV, Senior Groundskeeper, performs highly complex senior-level groundskeeping work at a State Supported Living Center or State Hospital. Maintains and improves the appearance of grounds and flower beds for the facility, including mowing, weeding, fertilizing, and ensuring the effective operations of sprinkler systems. Removes, plants and trims trees and shrubs. Assigns and prioritizes the work of other groundskeeping staff to accomplish daily and weekly tasks most effectively. Serves as a team lead on groundskeeping projects and maintains the schedules for routine work. Safely and efficiently operates power- and gas-operated equipment to complete duties and trains others to use the equipment. Ensures groundskeeping tools, supplies, and equipment are well maintained and accounted for. Performs minor repairs on equipment in accordance with training and skill level. Ensures parking lots, roads, fences and sidewalks are free from obstructions and in good repair. Minimizes the presence and impact of nuisance animals at the facility, including snakes, rodents, and feral cats. Performs other duties as assigned to ensure the overall safe operations of the facility. As needed, works some weekends and/or after-hours callouts, to respond to situations impacting safe facility operations. Works under general supervision of the Maintenance Technician Supervisor or other appropriate staff depending on facility structure, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

1. Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
2. May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.
3. Performs groundskeeping maintenance duties at the facility including mowing, trimming, fertilizing, removing, and planting trees and shrubs.
4. Ensures the safe and effective use of gas- and power-operated tools to complete work efficiently. Trains other staff to use tools commensurate with skill and ability.
5. Implements the daily, weekly, and monthly scheduling of work in the grounds section/department.
6. Oversees the quality of work for other groundskeepers and assists as necessary assuring proper results.
7. Initiates and executes projects for facility beautification, such as designing and planting new flowerbeds, with the approval of the supervisor.
8. Operates tractors with implements for various landscaping tasks.
9. Ensure roads, parking lots, and sidewalks are safe and free from debris and reports any major issues to supervisor.
10. Minimizes the presence and impact of nuisance animals, including snakes, rodents, and feral cats.
11. Performs general maintenance, repairs, and construction work for the facility in collaboration with maintenance staff.
12. If the facility has a cemetery, performs cemetery duties.
13. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to participating in disaster response and/or recovery.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

1. Knowledge, skills, and ability to safely fell and remove large trees.
2. Knowledge, skill, and ability associated with minimizing the presence of nuisance animals.
3. General knowledge of horticulture and landscape design.
4. Skill in safely operating power equipment and ability to teach/train others to safely use this equipment.
5. Ability to meet facility driver requirements.
6. Ability to speak and read English.
7. Ability to read, understand and apply a variety of inter-related instructions.
8. Ability to perform basic mathematical computations.
9. Ability to communicate effectively.
10. Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
11. Ability to train and lead others.
12. Ability to stand/walk for extended periods of time.
13. Ability to work in hot and/or cold conditions.
14. Ability to work harmoniously and productively with co-workers and residents.
15. Ability to lift and carry 50 to 100 lbs.
16. Ability to withstand long periods of standing, bending, and walking.
17. Ability to maintain and care for hand and power tools and equipment.
18. Ability to teach other groundskeepers to detect diseases in plants and grasses.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

May require a valid driver's license. Must possess a valid Texas driver's license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Experience in groundskeeping work. Graduation from a standard senior high school or equivalent is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks.

Males between the ages of 18 – 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All State Supported Living Center Employees are subject to Random Drug Testing.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment.