Groundskeeper - Landscaping

City of Chesapeake Virginia; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

The City of Chesapeake is seeking a Grounds Maintenance worker to help keep parks, public spaces, and facilities safe and welcoming. You will work outdoors within the Park and Facility Planning teams, maintaining historic sites and municipal grounds, facilities, and fixtures including the Historical Village at the Dismal Swamp and Chesapeake Arboretum.

Primary tasks include operating equipment, performing landscaping, assisting with events, and ensuring safety and cleanliness of City facilities.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma, GED, OR specialized vocational training.
• Experience: None Required
• Special Certifications and Licenses: Requires a valid driver’s license and a driving record in compliance with City Driving Standards; ability to obtain a pesticide certification within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Provides exceptional internal and external customer service and responds to service requests and inquiries.
• Operates lawn and garden equipment, tractors and attachments, City vehicles, and common hand and power tools; lifts up to 50 pounds and performs physical activities.
• Maintains landscaping, grounds, sidewalks, fixtures, fences, playgrounds, and parking lots surrounding City facilities.
• Performs repair, maintenance, and care of grounds, trails, landscapes, trees, equipment, irrigation systems, facilities, and structures.
• Performs grounds maintenance including mowing, trimming, landscaping, pruning, weeding, fertilizing, aeration, removing dead vegetation, edging, mulching, and painting park amenities.
• Provides logistical support for City-sponsored functions and events, including setup/breakdown of tents, fencing, tables, etc., and post-event cleanup.
• Removes trash and debris from grounds and performs routine custodial duties; cleans and stocks facilities.
• Monitors and inspects areas, equipment, and park amenities for safety hazards and reports deficiencies.
• Submits work orders and maintains related forms and records.

Skills

Customer service

Outdoor work

Education

High school diploma, GED or equivalent vocational training

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Drug Screening: MARIJUANA

In accordance with City policy, this position is deemed safety-sensitive. As such, applicants for this position are subject to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing after receiving a conditional offer of employment and may also be subject to random testing. This drug test includes testing for marijuana. Possession of a medical marijuana card will not excuse an applicant from the testing process; however, a test will not be considered positive for marijuana if a valid medical marijuana certification is presented unless the position requires a commercial driver's license (CDL) or is a sworn law-enforcement officer/deputy.

Position Information

Working Title of Vacant Position

Job Type

Job Type Full Time

Posting Type

Posting Type Public

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Department

Department PARKS, REC, & TOURISM

Division

Division PR&T PARK/FAC PLANNING

Requisition Number

Requisition Number 2026431

Number of hours worked per week

Number of hours worked per week 40

Work Schedule

General work schedule: Monday – Friday 7:30am – 4:00pm;
Will include occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays

Work Site Location

Work Site Location Chesaepake, VA [City wide recreational facilities]

Position Driving Requirement

Position Driving Requirement R - Routine

Pay Grade

Pay Grade GE02

Pay Basis

Advertised Salary

Minimum $17.50 per hour
Starting salary based on qualifications and experience

Job Description

Help us keep Chesapeake’s parks, public spaces, and facilities safe, beautiful, and welcoming for the community! Parks, Recreation and Tourism is seeking a motivated, self-directed individual who enjoys working outdoors and providing exceptional customer service.

As a member of the Department’s Park and Facility Planning Landscaping Teams, you’ll help maintain and improve the appearance and safety of the City’s outdoor areas, including historical sites, parks, recreational areas, and municipal facilities. This position maintains historical and municipal grounds, parks, facilities, structures, and fixtures, including the Historical Village at the Dismal Swamp, Chesapeake Arboretum, and Chesapeake Municipal Center.

Overall primary tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Provides exceptional internal and external customer service and responds to service requests and inquiries in accordance with the City’s Customer Service and CARES Initiative.
• Operates lawn and garden equipment, tractors and attachments, City vehicles, and common hand and power tools. Lifts and carries up to 50 pounds and performs physical activities including climbing, bending, stooping, and moving furniture in buildings and shelters.
• Maintains landscaping, grounds, sidewalks, fixtures, fences, playgrounds, shorelines, stormwater ponds, and parking lots surrounding City facilities.
• Performs skilled and semi-skilled repair, maintenance, and care of grounds, trails, specialized landscapes, trees, equipment, irrigation systems, recreation facilities, and structures, including carpentry work on shelters, roofs, benches, signs, recreational equipment, fences, and posts.
• Performs grounds maintenance including mowing, trimming, landscaping, pruning, weeding, fertilizing, aeration, removing dead vegetation, edging, mulching, and painting park amenities.
• Provides logistical support for City-sponsored functions and events, including setup and breakdown of tents, fencing, barricades, tables, chairs, recreational and sound equipment, as well as post-event cleanup and trash removal.
• Removes trash and debris from municipal, historical, and park grounds and fields and performs routine custodial duties, including cleaning and stocking facilities.
• Monitors and inspects areas, equipment, park amenities, vehicles, and trailers for safety hazards, needed repairs, damage, and malfunctions and reports deficiencies to the supervisor.
• Submits work orders and maintains related forms, records, and routine documentation.

The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits. Please browse our Benefits Brochure for a full list of benefits and employee perks.

Required Qualifications

VOCATIONAL / EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT :
Requires high school diploma, GED , OR specialized vocational training.

EXPERIENCE :
None Required

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES :
Requires a valid driver’s license and a driving record that is in compliance with theCity Driving Standards . Ability to obtain a pesticide certification within 6 months of employment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT :
Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Emergency operations support work and work locations may be outside of normal job duties.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous customer service experience.

Previous work experience in landscaping, and/or facility operations and equipment. Knowledgeable of methods, tools and equipment used in the repair and general maintenance of grounds and facilities.

Understands and follows written and oral instructions, document necessary information for completion of work orders, event schedules, material expenditures and other related documentation.

Possession of, or ability to obtain Pesticide Applicators Certification within the probation period.

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 09/03/2026

Job Close Date

Job Close Date 09/21/2026

Open Continuous No

Special Instructions to Applicants

Drug Screening: MARIJUANA

In accordance with City policy, this position is deemed safety-sensitive. As such, applicants for this position are subject to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing after receiving a conditional offer of employment and may also be subject to random testing. This drug test includes testing for marijuana. Possession of a medical marijuana card will not excuse an applicant from the testing process; however, a test will not be considered positive for marijuana if a valid medical marijuana certification is presented unless the position requires a commercial driver's license ( CD ) or is a sworn law-enforcement officer/deputy.

ADA Checklist

Overall Physical Strength Demands

Overall Physical Strength Demands

Overall Physical Strength Demands H=Heavy - Exerting 50-100 lbs. occasionally, 25-50 lbs. frequently, or up to 10-20 lbs constantly.

Physical Demands

C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.N = Never- Never occurs.

Standing

Standing Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Sitting

Sitting Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Walking

Walking Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Lifting

Lifting Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Lifting Amount

Lifting Amount Exerting up to 20 to 50 lbs

Carrying

Carrying Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Carrying Weight

Carrying Weight Exerting up to 20 to 50 lbs

Pushing/Pulling

Pushing/Pulling Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Pushing/Pulling Weight

Pushing/Pulling Weight Exerting up to 20 to 50 lbs

Reaching

Reaching Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Handling

Handling Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Fine Dexterity

Fine Dexterity Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Kneeling

Kneeling Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Crouching

Crouching Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Crawling

Crawling Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Bending

Bending Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Twisting

Twisting Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Climbing

Climbing Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Balancing

Balancing Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Vision

Vision Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Hearing

Hearing Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Talking

Talking Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Foot Controls

Foot Controls Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids Used

Various types of lawn maintenance equipment and tools including lawn mowers (riding and push), weed eaters, spray tanks, hand and power tools, chain and hand saws, tractors, front end loaders, grading equipment, large and small vehicles, historical artifacts, phone, voice radio, measuring devices, fencing, barricades, tents, and various types of recreational equipment.

Protective Equipment Required

All PPE Required for equipment in use, hearing and eye protection, steal toe work boots.

Health and Safety

D = DailyW = Several Times Per WeekM = Several Times Per MonthS = SeasonallyN = Never

Mechanical Hazards

Mechanical Hazards D = Daily

Chemical Hazards

Chemical Hazards W = Several Times Per Week

Electrical Hazards

Electrical Hazards W = Several Times Per Week

Fire Hazards

Fire Hazards S = Seasonally

Explosives

Explosives S = Seasonally

Communicable Diseases

Communicable Diseases S = Seasonally

Physical Danger or Abuse

Physical Danger or Abuse S = Seasonally

Other

If Other, Description

D = DailyW = Several Times Per WeekM = Several Times Per MonthS = SeasonallyN = Never

Dirt and Dust

Dirt and Dust D = Daily

Extreme Temperatures

Extreme Temperatures S = Seasonally