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What does a Groundsman do?

Rhonda Rivera
Rhonda Rivera

A groundsman cares for a lawn by eliminating weeds and pests while maintaining the grass and other plants. In addition, he or she is usually tasked with carrying out a landscape architect’s site plan. The lawn is often a sports field or the grounds of an educational or commercial institution. Depending on jurisdiction and the purpose of the lawn, the groundsman may also be known as a groundskeeper, horticulturist, or greenskeeper.

Colleges and universities often employ groundsmen to maintain the grass, flowers, and trees. This job may include keeping sidewalks free of weeds and picking up litter left by students. When a school or other institution has more than a couple acres to maintain, multiple groundsmen may be hired. In this case, they usually work in teams, with one person appointed head groundsman.

A groundskeeper is responsible for fertilizing the grounds of either a private residence or institution.
A groundskeeper is responsible for fertilizing the grounds of either a private residence or institution.

On a golf course, a groundsman’s primary job is to maintain the green by regularly mowing, fertilizing and irrigating it. Groundsmen also scout for pests and take preventative measures against them. Before golfers are let onto the course, groundsmen usually arrange the flags and markers for play. This job is typically managed by a golf course superintendent.

Picking up litter can be part of a groundsman's duties.
Picking up litter can be part of a groundsman's duties.

In parks and cemeteries, a groundsman’s job may include caring for playground equipment, statues, and buildings. Regular repairs and a fresh coat of paint might be necessary for playground equipment and cemetery benches. In addition, groundsmen are often tasked with cleaning up dead flowers and wreaths. In some cases, restrooms also must be cleaned and maintained and are usually unlocked for visitors in the morning and locked again at night.

On a golf course, a groundsman's primary responsibility is to maintain the greens and arrange flags and markers for play.
On a golf course, a groundsman's primary responsibility is to maintain the greens and arrange flags and markers for play.

The education requirement of groundsmen varies from job to job. In most cases, no formal education is necessary and the worker is trained on-site. Other cases may require formal education or significant experience in specialized work. For example, many universities opt for alternatives to chemical pesticides due to the inherent health hazards. In this case, the groundsman might need to know how to rid and prevent the return of pests in natural, or at least safer, ways.

In parks, a groundsman’s job may include regular repairs for benches.
In parks, a groundsman’s job may include regular repairs for benches.

Groundsman jobs are often physically draining and dangerous due to the equipment and chemicals used. In fact, some groundsman jobs require working near power lines or cutting down large trees. Maintaining a steady stream of work in this demanding field may prove challenging because most tasks are seasonal. Job opportunities in winter, however, are sometimes available for shoveling snow and caring for evergreen plants. Other winter season tasks may include collecting litter, erecting snow fences, and maintaining heated pools.

Discussion Comments

lonelygod

Does anyone know a good place to advertise if you know of some groundsman vacancies?

I already have my local newspaper in mind, but I would really like to reach a larger audience. Right now I am a member of my condo board and we want to hire additional groundskeepers for the summer so we can get our property in amazing shape.

Last year a lot of tenants moved out and we have been having trouble filling all of the empty spots in our building. We figure if we spend more on landscaping that we'll be able to attract more people to our complex. We want to add some additional gardens.

drtroubles

If you are looking for a summer job you should check out the groundsman job descriptions that pop up in your local newspaper just before spring. The jobs often require a lot of physical labor and can be a great way to get in shape over the summer.

When I was 16 I had a bit of a pot belly and I really hated it. I signed up as a groundskeeper at the local park and it really whipped me into shape. Between hauling huge bags of soil around, tending gardens and keeping the trees trimmed, I got a full workout in every single day. Usually to get the job though you need to be able to life at least 50 pounds, so keep that in mind before you apply.

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    • A groundskeeper is responsible for fertilizing the grounds of either a private residence or institution.
      A groundskeeper is responsible for fertilizing the grounds of either a private residence or institution.
    • Picking up litter can be part of a groundsman's duties.
      By: RTimages
      Picking up litter can be part of a groundsman's duties.
    • On a golf course, a groundsman's primary responsibility is to maintain the greens and arrange flags and markers for play.
      By: Malcolm Boyd
      On a golf course, a groundsman's primary responsibility is to maintain the greens and arrange flags and markers for play.
    • In parks, a groundsman’s job may include regular repairs for benches.
      By: Inger Anne Hulbækdal
      In parks, a groundsman’s job may include regular repairs for benches.