Job Details

Job Description:
Groundskeeper III
Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.
The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers

The state of Texas offers many benefits to employees. HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program , which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments. We also offer excellent health benefits , a lifetime monthly retirement annuity as well as 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.
If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!

The Groundskeeper performs complex groundskeeping work at a State Supported Living Center or State Hospital. Maintains and improves the appearance of grounds and flower beds for the facility, including mowing, weeding, fertilizing, and ensuring the effective operations of sprinkler systems. Removes, plants and trims trees and shrubs. Safely and efficiently operates power- and gas-operated equipment to complete duties. Ensures grounds keeping tools, supplies, and equipment are well maintained and accounted for. Performs minor repairs on equipment in accordance with training and skill level. Removes debris, trash and obstructions from parking lots, roads, fences and sidewalks. Assists in minimizing the presence and impact of nuisance animals at the facility, including snakes, rodents and feral cats. Performs some minor maintenance duties as needed in conjunction with maintenance staff. Performs other duties as assigned to ensure the overall safe operations of the facility. As needed, works some weekend and/or after-hours callouts, to respond to situations impacting safe facility operations. Works under limited supervision of the Maintenance Technician Supervisor or other appropriate staff depending on facility structure, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.
Performs routine groundskeeping duties at the facility including mowing, trimming, fertilizing, removing and planting trees and shrubs, and plants new flowerbeds. Performs other types of groundskeeping work as directed. If the SSLC has a cemetery, maintains cemetery grounds, sets head stones, excavates graves for funerals, and sets up casket devices and tents.
Mixes and sprays pesticides and herbicides. Treats for insects around buildings. Performs litter control/trash pick-up. Moves dumpsters for commercial company trash pick-up.
Uses gas- and power-operated tool to complete work safely and efficiently. Properly cleans and stores tool and other equipment after each use. Performs minor repairs and preventative maintenance on tools as needed and reports major issues to the supervisor. Completes tool inventory as required.
Follows the daily, weekly, and monthly scheduling of work in the grounds section/department. Works as a team member with other groundskeepers. Reports any significant issues to the supervisor for handling.
Safely operates tractors with implements such as front-end loaders and backhoes for digging out tree stumps, cleaning up debris, moving large amounts of gravel, sand, mulch and other landscaping materials, and to help dig out areas for tree planting or if there is a water line break.
Ensure roads, parking lots, and sidewalks are safe and free from debris. Works beyond normal duty hours during inclement weather to remove ice/snow from sidewalks, roadways, clear debris from catch basins during heavy rain, and other related duties.
As instructed, safely and humanely trap, and remove live animals, disposes appropriately of dead animals, and takes proactively measures to abate future issues.
Performs general maintenance, repairs, and construction work for the facility in collaboration with maintenance staff commensurate with skills and abilities. Drives trucks (non-Commercial Driver License) as needed to haul needed materials and transport items around the facility such as furniture, wheelchairs, and beds.
Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge, skills and ability to safely fell and remove large trees in and around buildings and other infrastructures.
Knowledge, skill and ability associated with minimizing the presence of nuisance animals such as rodents, snakes and feral cats.
Skill in safely operating power equipment such as mowers, power clippers, tractors, backhoes, and/or pruning shears, and a variety of a variety of hand and power tools used in construction/repair)
Must be able to meet facility driver requirements.
Ability to speak and read English is preferred.
Ability to read, understand and apply a variety of inter-related instructions such as those found in guidelines, regulations and policies.
Ability to perform basic mathematical computations.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
Ability to train and lead others.
Ability to stand/walk for extended period of time.
Ability to work in hot and/or cold conditions.
Ability to work harmoniously and productively with co-workers and residents.
Ability to lift and carry 50 to 100 lbs.
Ability to withstand long periods of standing, bending and walking.
Ability to maintain and care for hand and power tools and equipment.
Ability to learn to detect diseases in plants and grasses.
Ability to learn basic knowledge of horticulture and to apply that to job duties.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
May require a valid driver's license.
Must possess valid Texas driver's license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date. Applicants with an out-of-state driver's license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.
Chemical application (herbicide) license is preferred.
Pesticide license is preferred.

Initial Selection Criteria:
Experience in groundskeeping work. Graduation from a standard senior high school or equivalent is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.
Experience operating power equipment such as mowers, power clippers, tractors, chain saws, backhoe and/or pruning shears.
Prefer six (6) months of work experience in professional groundskeeping.

Additional Information:
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/ Entities.

Males between the ages of 18 - 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All State Supported Living Center Employees are subject to Random Drug Testing.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

MOS Code:
There are no Military occupations that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For additional information see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk at

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-###-####. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

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