Lead Groundsperson

Perkins School for the Blind; United States; On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

HRA/ Flexible Spending

401(k) Plan with employer match

Paid Time Off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA, seeks a Lead Groundsperson to oversee maintenance, safety, and the visual appeal of a 38-acre campus and 12 off-campus properties. You will lead from the front, manage vendors, operate machinery, and ensure a safe, welcoming environment for students, staff, and visitors.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED, 5+ years in grounds maintenance, and valid Driver’s and Hoisting Licenses with hands-on experience operating skid steers, excavators,

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 5+ years of grounds maintenance experience.
• Valid Driver’s License and Hoisting License with hands-on operation of machinery.

Responsibilities

• Lead and work with an Assistant Groundskeeper, fostering a team-first environment.
• Oversee external contractors for mowing, mulching, tree care, hardscaping, drainage, and seasonal projects.
• Conduct regular property walk-throughs, identify maintenance needs, and implement cost-effective improvements.
• Safely operate, inspect, and perform minor maintenance on skid steers, excavators, and loaders.
• Train staff and contractors on safety protocols, PPE, and campus interactions.
• Lead winter snow and ice management, including emergency response as needed.

Skills

Team leadership

Grounds maintenance

Heavy equipment operation

Vendor management

Safety protocols

Communication

Driver's license

Hoisting license

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Skid steer operation

Excavator operation

Loader operation

Job description

Perkins helps children with disabilities find their place in the world. An international NGO, we are committed to delivering best-in-class education to children, providing immersive training and support to professionals and families, advocating for inclusion, and accelerating innovation for people with disabilities. At Perkins, we think courageously, act collaboratively, and we own our work. Join a supportive community committed to growth where your work makes a difference.

What you can expect as our Lead Groundsperson

Are you a proactive leader who loves working outdoors, operating heavy equipment, and taking pride in keeping grounds immaculate? Perkins is seeking a Lead Groundsperson to oversee the maintenance, safety, and visual appeal of our beautiful 38-acre main campus and 12 off-campus residential properties. In this role, you won’t just sit behind a desk—you will lead from the front. You will work alongside your team, manage key vendor relationships, operate machinery, and ensure our campus remains a safe, welcoming, and vibrant environment for all students, staff, and visitors.

How you will make an impact:

• Lead and work side-by-side with an Assistant Groundskeeper while fostering a supportive, team-first environment.
• Oversee external contractors for mowing, mulching, tree care, hardscaping, drainage, and seasonal projects to ensure high-quality work and contract compliance.
• Conduct regular walk-throughs of all properties to spot maintenance needs, propose improvements, and implement efficient, cost-effective solutions.
• Safely operate, inspect, and perform minor maintenance on machinery such as skid steers, excavators, and loaders.
• Train internal staff and contractors on safety protocols, PPE compliance, proper techniques, and respectful campus interactions.
• Take the lead on winter snow and ice management, participating in emergency response and extended schedules when weather demands.

Education/Experience:

High School Diploma or GED required. 5+ years of grounds maintenance experience, ideally in a school, university, or institutional multi-property environment. Solid expertise in horticulture, lawn care, drainage, hardscaping, and winter operations, paired with strong project and vendor management skills Proactive, organized, and hands-on, with excellent communication skills and a knack for building strong working relationships. Valid Driver’s License (Required). Valid Hoisting License with hands‑on experience operating skid steers, loaders, and excavators (Required).

The following shared salary range is what Perkins reasonably expects, in good faith, to pay for the position. The applicable range could differ based on experience and qualification. $23.51-$33.21

Perkins offers a comprehensive benefits package for part time and full time employees, including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Wellness programs available.
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Flexible Spending Accounts Employer‑Paid Life & Long‑Term Disability Insurance 401(k) Plan with employer match
• Education Benefits: Tuition reimbursement day one
• Paid Time Off
• Extras: Employee Recognition Programs, EAP, legal services, referral bonuses, credit union access, pre‑tax MBTA passes and more!

We are located in the heart of Watertown, adjacent to the Charles River and less than 1 mile from food & entertainment at Arsenal Yards.

Perkins is an equal opportunity employer. View the Perkins Notice of non-discrimination. Through Perkins’ core programs and services, we work to fulfill our mission of serving children and young adults with multiple disabilities and their families around the globe, as well as the educators, professionals and researchers who support them, by focusing on innovation and excellence in educational services, accessibility and professional development. At Perkins, diversity and inclusion are at the core of our mission and we firmly believe that people with different backgrounds and experiences bring unique and necessary perspectives.