Senior Skilled Groundskeeper

H. E. Butt Foundation; Leakey (TX); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Skilled Groundskeeper to enhance the beauty and functionality of outdoor spaces. This role is essential for maintaining landscaping and irrigation systems, ensuring a welcoming environment for guests. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in groundskeeping, irrigation system design, and a passion for horticulture. Join a team dedicated to providing exceptional service and contributing to meaningful retreat experiences. If you have the skills to cultivate and maintain beautiful landscapes, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of groundskeeping and irrigation systems experience.
• Knowledge of safe pesticide/herbicide application.
• Ability to maintain landscaping and irrigation systems.

Responsibilities

• Install and maintain landscape irrigation systems.
• Design and install new landscaping and maintain existing areas.
• Assist with program support and maintenance needs.

Skills

Knowledge of Texas native plants

Irrigation system maintenance

Ability to train others

Mechanical experience

Time management skills

Active listening skills

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Landscape Irrigator Certification

Certification in arboriculture or horticulture

Tools

Grounds care machines

Irrigation systems

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY: The Senior Skilled Groundskeeper serves as the groundskeeping team subject matter expert to maintain and beautify grounds, planters, trees, and shrubs according to Foundation standards in support of the Canyon programs to enhance retreat experiences.

PROGRAM MISSION: Canyon Operations exists to maintain and protect Canyon facilities and operations while providing outstanding hospitality and service to the programs, staff, and guests of H. E. Butt Foundation. At the core of the mission of Canyon Operations is to prepare a place for guests to encounter God with limited predictable distractions, contributing to a meaningful retreat experience.

ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES: Rooted in our Christian faith, daily work reflects the Values of Hospitality, Stewardship, Unity, and Excellence.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Irrigation:

• Install, repair, and replace landscape irrigation systems following and interpreting blueprints, sketches, or verbal instructions.
• Design and prepare plans for irrigation systems and/or make necessary changes to blueprints for irrigation system design compliance and to locate shutoff valves, irrigation valves, and physical layouts.
• Meet with contractors, architects, approve plans, and perform utility locates.
• Drain, flush, clean, and repair water storage reservoirs and irrigation boxes from water sources on a periodic basis.

Landscape Maintenance and Horticulture:

• Serve as a resource on landscape and horticultural matters.
• Design, select, and install new landscaping by cultivating and renovating 2 areas and installing or replacing turf, trees, ornamental plants, shrubs, ground covers, annuals, and bulbs.
• Keep landscaping maintained.
• Maintain the beauty of the Canyon and the overall health of the plants.
• Continue with up-to-date knowledge of safe pesticide/herbicide application.
• Meet with the Facilities Director daily to discuss standards and update priorities for the Groundskeeping team.
• Maintain adequate inventories of irrigation parts and glues, primers, pesticides, fertilizers, paints, oils, tools, seed, compost, sod, and equipment.
• Keep records of purchases and uses.
• Maintain equipment parts listings, equipment oil change logs, equipment service/repair logs, and irrigation repair logs.
• Maintain current Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for potentially hazardous materials.
• Maintain logs and files of pesticide use reports with the district and/or local governmental agencies.
• Respond when requested for program support, maintenance needs, and/or emergency assistance in other areas and departments.
• Assist with improvement projects when assigned.
• Supports the regional team by providing backup support as needed to ensure team commitments and expectation standards are met.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Landscape Irrigator Certification preferred.
• Certification in arboriculture, landscape design, or horticulture.
• High School Diploma or equivalent work experience, and at least 3 years of groundskeeping and irrigation systems experience.
• Minimum of two years’ experience in groundskeeping, including installation of irrigation systems, familiarity with local native plant care, knowledge of pruning, and seasons in which it’s safe to seed, weed, and prune special plants.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Mechanical experience.

COMPETENCIES - Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Texas native plants, the care of these plants, and the ability to discern and remove harmful, invasive plant species.
• Ability to explain and train other groundskeepers on Texas native plants and irrigation system maintenance.
• Ability to repair sod that has been damaged by wildlife.
• Ability to properly use a ladder.
• Requires knowledge of proper and safe application of fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides used in grounds care and gardening.
• Knowledge of grounds care machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Knowledge of sprinkler and irrigation system design, installation, operation, and maintenance.
• Requires sufficient math skills to calculate distances, proportions, and sums.
• Active listening skills.
• Time management skills in completing tasks.
• Adaptability/Flexibility.
• Work independently and within a team.
• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to perform intense physical work for up to 8 hours at a time.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
• This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing during the day.
• Employee must regularly lift and move items up to 50 pounds.
• Visual acuity to operate common grounds equipment and read instructions, and safety information.
• Requires auditory ability to hear machinery sounds and alarms.
• Requires the ability to work in extreme temperature conditions.
• Ability to properly use a ladder.
• Must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle and landscaping equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Ability to work outside on uneven terrain and in varying weather and environmental conditions.
• Employee may be exposed to noises and vibrations, moving mechanical parts, fumes, and/or airborne particles.
• Must work varying schedules based on camping program needs, including some weekends.