Lead Groundskeeper

Job Title:

Lead Groundskeeper

Grade Level/Terms of Employment:

110.2/260 Days (12 months)

FLSA Status:

Non-exempt

Work Location:

Facility Services

Immediate Supervisor:

Supervisor, Structural

General Description:

The Lead Groundskeeper oversees and participates in the maintenance and improvement of school grounds, athletic fields, and landscaped areas. This role serves as a working supervisor, coordinating the daily activities of a grounds crew to ensure safe, attractive, and well-maintained exterior environments across all district properties.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Crew Leadership: Directs, trains, and monitors the work of groundskeeping staff and helpers to ensure tasks are completed efficiently and according to safety standards.
• Landscaping & Maintenance: Performs and oversees mowing, edging, pruning, planting, and fertilizing of lawns, shrubs, and trees.
• Athletic Field Management: Coordinates the preparation, lining, and specialized maintenance of sports fields for district events.
• Equipment Operation: Operates and maintains heavy machinery, including commercial mowers, tractors, backhoes, and snow removal equipment.
• Safety & Compliance: Ensures the proper application of pesticides/herbicides and maintains strict adherence to OSHA and district safety protocols.
• Emergency Response: Leads snow and ice removal operations during inclement weather and responds to emergency grounds-related issues.
• Administrative Tasks: Assists in estimating material costs, ordering supplies, and tracking work orders within the district’s operations tracker.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 4-5 years of experience in commercial landscaping or grounds maintenance, with at least 1-2 years in a lead or supervisory capacity preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills; ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and ease at managing competing demands and determining priorities independently.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Additional Requirements:

• Registered Technician or Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret landscape blueprints and technical manuals.
• Bilingual/proficiency in Spanish preferred.

Physical Demands:

Very Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and up to 50 pounds of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Work involves frequent standing, walking, reaching, handling, grasping, and repetitive motion, as well as occasional stooping, kneeling, crouching, and climbing. The position requires frequent use of hands and fingers to operate tools and equipment, as well as the ability to feel and manipulate objects with precision. Vocal communication is required to express or exchange information, and hearing is necessary to perceive information at normal spoken-word levels and to detect equipment sounds. Visual acuity is required for inspecting small parts, identifying defects, reading gauges and instruments, and observing work surroundings with accuracy and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in a variety of environmental conditions. The employee may be exposed to noise, vibration, dust, fumes, oils, and other atmospheric conditions associated with maintenance and repair tasks. The position may require the use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, gloves, and safety eyewear, when handling hazardous or airborne materials. Work may involve exposure to moving mechanical parts and other job-related hazards, which are mitigated through adherence to established safety procedures. Tasks are performed under regular supervision and may require physical effort over extended periods and responsiveness to changing environmental and operational demands.

HOW TO APPLY: All applicants (including RPS employees) must submit an on-line application. Please access website at: www.rvaschools.net

Please upload the following information with your application: a current resume, transcript and license if applicable.

Three reference names and contact information will be required if you progress to the interview step of the selection process. Richmond Public Schools will conduct a background investigation, fingerprinting and tuberculosis screening as a condition of employment. EOE.

Start Date: Based on School Board approval

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Richmond Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).