Groundskeeper Senior

Minnesota Direct Care and Treatment; Saint Peter (MN); On-site; USD 31,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Minnesota Direct Care and Treatment is seeking a Groundskeeper Senior on the St. Peter Campus to lead the grounds team and manage routine maintenance, including lawn care, irrigation, and landscaping tasks.

You will work Monday–Friday, daytime shift, with responsibilities spanning equipment operation, pesticide application, and adherence to safety practices. Minnesota benefits accompany this state service role.

Qualifications

• 1 year of experience in commercial groundskeeping, including plant identification, landscape design, turfgrass lawncare, and irrigation.
• Experience using control measures to treat plant disease and pests.
• Operate and maintain commercial irrigation systems.
• Use hand-held tools, riding machinery and snow removal equipment.
• Post-secondary education in plant sciences may substitute for experience.
• Report writing and MS Office to communicate landscape and campus projects.
• Direct and lead others to complete work on time.

Responsibilities

• Perform lawn maintenance and trees/shrubbery work.
• Weed control and snow/ice removal.
• Irrigation maintenance and landscape practices aligned with design plans.
• Interpret design plans, specifications, and blueprints.
• Apply chemical fertilizer and pesticides safely.
• Operate equipment such as skid loaders, tractors, backhoes, and snow plows.

Skills

Lawn maintenance

Irrigation maintenance

Plant identification

Landscape design

Pesticide application

Snow removal

Hand tools

Riding machinery

Team leadership

MS Office

Report writing

Education

Plant sciences degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 11/03/2026
• Closing Date: 11/09/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Direct Care and Treatment / DCT St Peter AFSCME
• Division/Unit: DCT Support Services / DCT St Peter Campus Grounds
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $22.29 - $31.43 / hourly; $46,541 - $65,625 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 203 - Service/AFSCME
• Work Area: St. Peter Regional Treatment Center
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Working Title: Groundskeeper Senior

Job Class: Groundskeeper Senior

Agency: Direct Care and Treatment

The work you'll do is more than just a job. At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

The State Of Minnesota - Direct Care And Treatment Is Looking For a Hard-working, Skilled Individual For The Groundskeeper Senior Position On The St. Peter, MN Campus. Providing Direction And Leading Other Members Of The Campus Ground's Maintenance Team, The Groundskeeper Senior Performs Routine Maintenance On Campus Which Includes But Is Not Limited To

• Lawn maintenance
• Trees and shrubbery work
• Weed control
• Snow and Ice Removal
• Irrigation maintenance
• Horticulture landscape practices (including planting schedules, germination intervals, and plant growth procedures) sufficient to interpret design plans, specifications, and blue prints.
• Chemical fertilizer and pesticide application and related safety practices

This qualified individual will be expected to work with a variety of tools and medium duty construction equipment, such as skid loaders, tractors, backhoes and snow plows.

Minimum Qualifications

• 1 year of experience in commercial groundskeeping. Experience must include the following:
  • plant identification, landscape design, nursery management, turfgrass lawncare, and irrigation
  • Utilizing control measures to treat plant material for diseases and pests
  • Operation, maintenance and repairs of commercial irrigation systems
  • Utilizing hand-held tools, riding machinery and snow removal equipment.
  • Post-secondary education in plant sciences or closely related field may substitute for working experience.
  • Report writing, form completion and use of Microsoft Office applications (or similar) sufficient to develop and communicate complex landscape and campus grounds and maintenance projects.
  • Directing and leading others to complete work assignments in a timely manner.

Required Licenses

• Valid MN Driver’s license
• MN non-commercial pesticide applicator’s license or the ability to obtain a license within the probationary period (approximately six months).

Preferred Qualifications

• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL A or B) with air brake endorsement.
• AAS or BS in Ornamental Horticulture or closely related field of plant sciences.

To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS – Direct Care & Treatment will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and criminal background check prior to appointment.

Direct Care & Treatment (DCT) healthcare facilities require employees to provide documentation that they are free from tuberculosis (TB) through a blood test prior to employment. DCT does not accept TB skin testing.

About Direct Care And Treatment

DCT operates a highly specialized behavioral health care system that serves people with mental illness, substance abuse disorders, and developmental and intellectual disabilities. This includes psychiatric hospitals and other inpatient mental health treatment facilities; inpatient substance abuse treatment facilities; dental clinics, group homes, vocational sites, and sex offender treatment facilities.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your Benefits May Include

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
• Fertility care, including IVF
• Diabetes care
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support To Help You Reach Your Career Goals

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) For Work/life Support

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants With Disabilities

If you are an individual with a disability and need an ADA accommodation for an interview, you may contact Direct Care & Treatment’s Office of Equal Opportunity