Turf Specialist/Groundskeeper

Park-Hill-School-District; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Park Hill School District is seeking a Turf Specialist to provide grounds maintenance across assigned sites, ensuring attractive, safe grounds and athletic fields for events and activities.

The role includes pesticide application assistance, equipment maintenance, and collaboration with grounds staff to prepare fields and facilities for assemblies and events. Strong safety awareness and teamwork are essential.

Qualifications

• Operating equipment used in grounds maintenance including tractors, weed whips, mowers, hand and power tools.
• Knowledge of safety practices and health standards in a school environment.
• Ability to follow directions and work as part of a maintenance team.

Responsibilities

• Assist in application of pesticides according to procedures.
• Clean landscaped areas and related items to prevent hazards.
• Maintain playground equipment and grounds keeping equipment in safe condition.
• Prepare grounds and athletic fields for events and activities.
• Transport tools, equipment, supplies, and personnel as needed.
• Respond to safety or operational concerns and notify appropriate personnel.

Skills

Equipment operation

Safety practices

Grounds maintenance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Tractors

Weed whips

Mowers

Hand and power tools

Job description

Frontline Applicant Tracking - Park Hill School District

• Position Type:
  Maintenance/Custodial/Grounds/ Turf Specialist
  
  
• Date Posted:
  8/17/2026
  
  
• Location:
  Support Services
  
  
• Date Available:
  09/01/2026
  
  

SALARY: No less than $26.38 per hour

REPORTS TO: This job reports to theGrounds Supervisorand Operations Manager.

PURPOSE STATEMENT
The job of Turf Specialist is done for the purpose/s of providing grounds maintenance services at assigned site/s; ensuring attractive and safe grounds area/s and athletic fields; protecting against erosion; performing a variety of special grounds maintenance operations; and maintaining grounds for assemblies, events and/or recreational activities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists in the application of pesticides for the purpose of controlling insects and weeds in accordance with established procedures.
• Cleans landscaped areas and related items (e.g. storm drains, fields, litter, etc.) for the purpose of preventing flooding and removing hazards.
• Maintains playground equipment for the purpose of ensuring the availability of equipment in safe operating condition in compliance with established standards.
• Maintains job related grounds keeping equipment for the purpose of ensuring for the availability of equipment in a safe operating condition.
• Participates in unit meetings, in-service training, workshops, etc. for the purpose of gathering information required to perform job functions.
• Plants a variety of landscaping materials (e.g. lawns, shrubbery, flowers, etc.) for the purpose of keeping the grounds attractive and protecting against erosion.
• Prepares grounds and athletic fields (e.g. fertilizes soil, courtyards, flower beds, chalk fields, paint stripping, etc.) for the purpose of providing adequate, attractive and safe areas for assemblies, recreational activities and/or athletic events.
• Requests materials, supplies, equipment, and/or support personnel for the purpose of completing assignments in a timely manner.
• Responds to immediate safety and/or operational concerns (e.g. facility damage, vandalism, alarms, etc.) for the purpose of taking appropriate action or notifying appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Transports a variety of tools, equipment, supplies, etc. for the purpose of ensuring the availability of materials required at job site.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum Qualifications

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating equipment used in grounds maintenance including tractors, weed whips, mowers, hand and power tools, etc.; and adhering to safety practices.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math; read and follow instructions; and understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: method of preparing and maintaining various plants, shrubs, lawns, etc.; safety practices and procedures; health standards and hazards; and school safety and security practices.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities and/or meetings; collate data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing specific, defined processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with specific, job-related data; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Some problem solving may be required to identify issues and select action plans. Problem solving with data requires following prescribed guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adhering to safety practices; working some evenings and weekends; working under time constraints; communicating with diverse groups; setting priorities; working as part of a team; and working with frequent interruptions.

RESPONSIBILITY

Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision using standardized procedures; providing information and/or advising others; operating within a defined budget. There is a continual opportunity to have some impact on the organization's services.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some climbing and balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 10% sitting, 30% walking, and 60% standing. The job is performed under some temperature extremes and under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

EDUCATION: High school diploma or equivalent

EXPERIENCE: Job related experience is desired

REQUIRED TESTING: Physical Capacity Assessment

CERTIFCATES: Driver's License & Evidence of Insurability

CONTINUING ED/TRAINING: Maintains Certificates and/or Licenses

CLEARANCES: Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance