Landscaping And Groundskeeping Workers

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

Description

Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.

Tasks

Operate vehicles and powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chain saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, and pruning saws.
Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.
Shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots and spread salt in those areas.
Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls.
Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
Gather and remove litter.
Maintain or repair tools, equipment, or structures, such as buildings, greenhouses, fences, or benches, using hand or power tools.
Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, burial sites, or other grounds features.
Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.
Trim or pick flowers and clean flower beds.
Rake, mulch, and compost leaves.
Follow planned landscaping designs to determine where to lay sod, sow grass, or plant flowers or foliage.
Plant seeds, bulbs, foliage, flowering plants, grass, ground covers, trees, or shrubs and apply mulch for protection, using gardening tools.
Decorate gardens with stones or plants.
Maintain irrigation systems, including winterizing the systems and starting them up in spring.
Care for natural turf fields, making sure the underlying soil has the required composition to allow proper drainage and to support the grasses used on the fields.
Use irrigation methods to adjust the amount of water consumption and to prevent waste.
Haul or spread topsoil or spread straw over seeded soil to hold soil in place.
Advise customers on plant selection or care.
Care for artificial turf fields, periodically removing the turf and replacing cushioning pads or vacuuming and disinfecting the turf after use to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
Plan or cultivate lawns or gardens.
Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.
Install rock gardens, ponds, decks, drainage systems, irrigation systems, retaining walls, fences, planters, or playground equipment.
Mark design boundaries and paint natural or artificial turf fields with team logos or names before events.
Build forms and mix and pour cement to form garden borders.

Knowledge

Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Building and Construction: Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Skills

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Abilities

Arm-Hand Steadiness: The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Multilimb Coordination: The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Control Precision: The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Static Strength: The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Manual Dexterity: The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Near Vision: The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Work Activities

Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Work Context

Outdoors, Exposed to Weather: How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets: How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
Face-to-Face Discussions: How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Exposed to Contaminants: How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls: How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
In an Open Vehicle or Equipment: How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or equipment (e.g., tractor)?
Very Hot or Cold Temperatures: How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment: How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings: How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
Time Pressure: How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

Interests

Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Work Style

Dependability: Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence: Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Attention to Detail: Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation: Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Concern for Others: Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Initiative: Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Self Control: Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Persistence: Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Innovation: Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Integrity: Job requires being honest and ethical.

Work Values

Relationships: Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Working Conditions: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Support: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Achievement: Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Independence: Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Recognition: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

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Lay Titles

Athletic Field Custodian

Athletic Fieldskeeper

Athletic Turf Manager

Backhoe Operator

Bonsai Tender

Brush Cutter

Care Taker

Caretaker

Cemetery Keeper

Cemetery Laborer

Cemetery Sexton

Cemetery Warden

Cemetery Worker

Equipment Operator

Flower Picker

Flower Planter

Gardener

Golf Course Keeper

Golf Course Laborer

Grass Cutter

Grave Cleaner

Greenhouse Worker

Greens Cutter

Greens Keeper

Greens Laborer

Greenskeeper

Greenskeeper Laborer

Greensman

Ground Crewman

Ground Worker

Grounds Caretaker

Grounds Cleaner

Grounds Keeper

Grounds Maintenance Worker

Grounds Person

Grounds Supervisor

Grounds Worker

Grounds/Maintenance Specialist

Groundskeeper

Groundskeeping Maintenance

Groundskeeping Maintenance Worker

Groundskeeping Yardman

Groundsman

Heavy Equipment Operator

Hedge Trimmer

Horticultural Worker

Horticulture Worker

Hydroelectric Plant Maintainer

Indoor Landscaper/Gardener

Industrial-Commercial Groundskeeper

Interior Plant Caretaker

Irrigation Technician

Laborer

Land Clearer

Landscape and Yardwork Laborer

Landscape Gardener

Landscape Laborer

Landscape Management Technician

Landscape Specialist

Landscape Technician

Landscaper

Landscaper Helper

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Laborer

Lawn Care Worker

Lawn Caretaker

Lawn Mower

Lawn Mower Operator

Lawn Service Worker

Lawn Sprinkler Installer

Lawn Sprinkler Servicer

Maintenance Aide

Maintenance Groundman

Maintenance Technician

Maintenance Worker

Mall Plant Caretaker

National Wages and Employment Info

Median Wages (2008):: $11.33 hourly, $23,570 annual.

Employment (2008):: 830,640 employees