Groundskeeper/Laborer - Posted August 07, 2026

Yakama Nation Housing Authority; Wapato (WA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Yakama Nation Housing Authority in Washington seeks a Groundskeeper/Laborer to join the Maintenance Team. The role reports to the Maintenance Security Coordinator and conducts unskilled to semi-skilled work on rental units and grounds.

Duties include lawn and shrub maintenance, cleaning, snow removal, minor repairs to playgrounds and fencing, and operating basic grounds-keeping tools. Requirements: High School Diploma or GED, two years of groundskeeping experience, a valid driver’s license, and

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Two years of groundskeeping experience.
• Valid driver’s license at time of appointment and throughout employment.
• Ability to operate and care for grounds-keeping equipment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain trees, shrubs, lawns, fences, sprinklers, irrigation line construction, sidewalk repair, playground equipment repair, and snow removal.
• Transports trash and waste and performs cleaning and maintenance tasks.
• Perform routine and minor repairs to outdoor facilities and grounds.

Skills

English communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Department: Maintenance Pay Range: 7 / A

Supervisor: Maintenance Security Coordinator Position Status: Full-time

General Description:

The Groundskeeper/Laborer receives directions from and reports to the Maintenance Security Coordinator. The incumbent is part of the Maintenance Team and is expected to raise and discuss issues and concerns that arise from his/her work and to propose actions to improve service delivery. The Groundskeeper/Laborer is responsible for unskilled and semi-skilled laborer tasks on rental units and grounds. Cleaning rental/homebuyer managed units. The incumbent is required to work independently, performing laborer and grounds-keeping tasks. Maintain trees, shrubs, lawns, fences, underground sprinklers, irrigation line construction, sidewalk repair, playground equipment repair, obnoxious plant control, oversize tree replacement, shrub replacement, reseeding grass, and snow removal.

Responsibilities require employee to follow:

• YNHA programs listed “Common Duties,” listed below.
• Department programs listed “Essential Tasks,” listed below.

Common Duties:

• Read and comply with all appropriate standards & Procurement Policy, and YNHA policy and procedures, e.g., Personnel Policy Manual, Company Vehicle Policy, Financial Administration Policy and Procedures, Internal Department and Program guidelines, etc.
• Work cooperatively with all YNHA employees or those associated with the Tribe.
• Travel to and from other offices locations.
• Must maintain strict confidentiality standards.

The tasks listed below represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign tasks related to the type of work of the position, as necessary.

• Transports trash and waste to disposable areas.
• Sweeps, vacuums, mops, scrubs, waxes, and polishes floors using industrial vacuum cleaners and scrubbing and buffing machines.
• Washes walls, ceiling, and woodwork. Washes windows, door panels and sill.
• Perform moderately heavy labor, lift/carry and climb a ladder.
• Performs regular maintenance of grounds by cleaning up debris, mowing lawns, raking grass, leaves, spraying weeds, trimming shrubs, and trees.
• Keeps Park (s) clean, picking up all trash, in common areas and surrounding units front and back.
• Picks up trash surrounding rental/homebuyers’ units, through work order.
• Minor repairs to playground equipment, cyclone fencing and sprinkler. Minor repairs to exterior of units, fencing, exterior hose bibs and reporting neglect.
• Maintains common lawn areas green and common area streets, free of debris & hazards.
• Reports excess trash build-up, inoperable vehicles, parking on yard area, excessive dogs, neglect, damage or abuse to units and common areas. Priority in reporting safety and health hazards to department manager for follow-up.
• Shapes and controls trees and shrubs to desired size by pruning. Operates spraying equipment on a consistent schedule.
• Continually self-educates and familiarizes with season, i.e. all changes in materials, chemicals, tools, procedures, requirements, and regulations.
• Maintains daily logs and prepares written reports in a manner consistent with industry and HUD standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned by department manager.
• Be willing to Train or Cross Train with coworkers for team wide efficiency and growth.
• Installing sprinkler and irrigation systems, repair irrigation line breaks.
• Preparing outdoor areas for various weather conditions by weatherproofing, covering outdoor furniture with tarps, tying down unsecured items, etc.
• Clears snow and ice removal from Buildings and grounds by shoveling, operating snow blower, snow shovel, sidewalks from Office walkways and Park sidewalks.
• Mix Pesticides for sprayer applications for pests, and Herbicides for plant and weed control.
• Additional duties that may be performed: This position offers hands-on experience in basic repair work and painting. With the opportunity to learn how to fix minor unit repair/maintenance, maintain equipment, and even contribute to improving the aesthetics of our homes.
• Additional duties that may be performed: You’ll collaborate closely with our maintenance team, learning from experienced professionals. Whether it’s touching up paint or making minor repairs, you’ll be part of a supportive group.

Involvement With Data, People

Data Involvement: Basic office skills, writing summaries, work orders-writing, updating, completing them. Emails and correspondences.

People Involvement: Ability to deal effectively with the public in conflict situations, problem solving in situations. Also communicate with YNHA staff. Knowledge and understanding of social economic problems and conditions related to housing, health, education of low-income groups, of available local resources and services.

General Requirements

Reasoning Requirements: Requires performing routine work involving set procedures, using common sense, and taking directions without question.

Mathematical Requirements: Make arithmetic computations- addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division rapidly and accurately. Knowledge of calculator-calculate ratios, rates, percentages, and excel spreadsheets for reports if needed.

Language Requirements: Ability to communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing. Requires reading sentences, instructions, regulations, procedures, or work orders; writing sentences and completing job forms and incident reports; speaking sentences using proper grammar.

Mental Requirements: Requires detailed work, professional level work requiring the application of procedures. The ability to effectively plan, organize, manage, and follow up on caseload (s).

Physical and Dexterity Requirements: The incumbent must operate hand and power tools and equipment. Normal physical activity can be strenuous and may involve prolonged standing, walking, reaching, bending, crouching, stooping, and lying prone. The incumbent must use arm strength to manipulate hand tools such as saws, sanders, and jointers. The incumbent must occasionally push, pull, and/or lift objects up to and over fifty (50) pounds. The incumbent works indoors and outdoors and is exposed to extreme weather conditions. The incumbent may occasionally be subject to electrical shock hazards, dangerous heights, dangerous chemicals, and skin irritants (e.g., cleaning solutions, solvents, insecticides). The incumbent is required to be familiar with Personal Protective Equipment, PPE, and will be required to use such equipment as necessary; safety glasses/goggles, hearing protection, safety boots & gloves, Tyvek suits & booties. The incumbent may also be asked to be mask fit for a full or half mask respirator and used as required. Ability to practice safe lifting techniques. The employee may be exposed to usual and unusual hazards associated with housing developments.

Environmental Hazards: The incumbent works indoors and outdoors and is exposed to extreme weather conditions, seasonal and year around. The incumbent may occasionally be subject to electrical shock hazards, dangerous heights, dangerous chemicals, and skin irritants (e.g., cleaning solutions, solvents, insecticides). The incumbent needs to be familiar with Personal Protective Equipment, PPE, and will be required to use such equipment as necessary; safety glasses/goggles, hearing protection, safety boots & gloves, Tyvek suits & booties. The incumbent may also be asked to be mask fit for a full or half mask respirator and used as required.

Sensory Requirements: The job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing, speaking, and color, depth, and texture perception.

Judgments and Decisions: Ability to work independently. Requires being responsible for guiding others and making frequent decisions affecting employees, and visitors who depend on the service or product. Must be able to prioritize and go back to a task when needed, this position works in a fluid environment with rules and procedures, but with frequent variations from the routine.

Vocational/Educational/Experience requirements:

Education Requirements: High School Diploma or GED.

Experience Requirements: Two (2) Years of Experience in groundskeeping labor or related field. Trailer Towing Experience Preferred. Knowledge and Abilities: Knowledge of pruning and related care of lawns and plants, Techniques of cleaning grounds, interior of homes and building maintenance work, Knowledge of spraying plants for fungi, insects, and parasites, ability to operate and care of hand tools, grounds-keeping equipment, ability to respond to after normal work hour emergencies.

Special Certifications and Licenses: Requires a valid driver’s license at the time of appointment and throughout employment. Must qualify to drive an YNHA company vehicle through insurance provider.

Required: A Valid Driver’s License at the time of appointment and throughout employment. Must qualify to drive an YNHA vehicle through insurance provider.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

The Yakama Nation Housing Authority has a “Drug Free Workplace Policy.” All employees are subject to pre-employment, random drug tests and to tests when the use of alcohol or drugs in the workplace is suspected.

Indian Preference Policy

In accordance with Section 101(k) of NAHASDA, Yakama Nation Housing Authority applies Indian preference in employment, as established by Resolution GC-05-2012 of the Yakama Nation General Council.

Open: Monday - Friday
Hours: 8:00am – 4:30pm