About this role
Summary The Grounds Maintenance Technician maintains district grounds, landscaped areas, and athletic fields in a safe, attractive, and functional condition. The position performs mowing, trimming, field preparation, seasonal grounds work, and routine care of grounds equipment across district facilities. Working as part of the Operations team, the Grounds Maintenance Technician supports school activities and athletic events, responds to changing weather and seasonal needs, and helps protect district property through consistent preventive care and timely service. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Mow district lawns and athletic areas using riding, zero-turn, walk-behind, and other appropriate mowing equipment.
• Trim and edge around buildings, sidewalks, fences, trees, signs, playgrounds, and other site features.
• Maintain a consistent mowing schedule and adjust work priorities based on weather, facility use, athletic schedules, and district needs.
• Prepare and maintain athletic fields, including mowing, striping, dragging, grooming, leveling, and repairing playing surfaces.
• Lay out and paint athletic-field markings accurately for practices, competitions, and special events.
• Maintain baseball and softball infields, warning tracks, pitching areas, batter's boxes, and other specialty playing surfaces.
• Inspect fields and grounds for holes, trip hazards, debris, drainage problems, damaged fencing, and other unsafe conditions; correct or report concerns promptly.
• Plant, water, mulch, prune, and maintain trees, shrubs, flower beds, and other landscaped areas.
• Operate, inspect, and perform routine preventive maintenance on mowers, tractors, utility vehicles, trimmers, blowers, field equipment, and hand tools.
• Clean equipment after use and report needed repairs, unusual wear, or unsafe operating conditions.
• Assist with irrigation-system operation and minor repairs; identify leaks, coverage issues, and drainage concerns.
• Apply fertilizer, seed, soil amendments, ice-melt products, and approved grounds-care materials in accordance with labels, training, and district procedures.
• Remove leaves, limbs, litter, and other debris from district grounds, parking areas, sidewalks, and athletic facilities.
• Support snow and ice response, storm cleanup, and other weather-related grounds operations as assigned.
• Set up and remove field equipment, goals, bases, windscreens, bleachers, and related items for athletic events and district activities.
• Maintain accurate work records and communicate completed work, supply needs, safety concerns, and field conditions to the supervisor.
• Follow district safety procedures and use required personal protective equipment when operating machinery or handling materials.
• Assist Maintenance, Custodial, Transportation, and other Operations teams with district projects and perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications Education/Experience
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous experience in grounds maintenance, landscaping, turf management, athletic-field maintenance, agriculture, equipment operation, or a related field preferred.
• Knowledge of mowing practices, turf and landscape care, athletic-field preparation, and the safe operation of grounds equipment.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, organize daily work, respond to changing priorities, and work independently or as part of a team.
• Ability to communicate professionally with staff, students, coaches, visitors, vendors, and community members.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
• Valid Missouri Driver's License and an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to obtain any district-required equipment-operation certifications within the designated timeframe.
• Commercial pesticide applicator or technician certification preferred; required within the designated timeframe if pesticide application is assigned.
• CPR/AED and First Aid certification preferred.
• Successful completion of district-required safety training.
Physical Demands Work is performed primarily outdoors in heat, cold, rain, wind, dust, pollen, noise, and other changing conditions. Duties require prolonged standing and walking; frequent bending, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, and climbing; and the safe operation of vehicles, tractors, mowers, and powered equipment. The employee must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and move heavier items with assistance or appropriate equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions. Attendance Regular and consistent attendance is an essential function of this position. The work schedule may vary by season and may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, athletic events, and emergency or weather-related response. Reliable attendance is especially important during peak mowing, athletic, storm, and winter-weather operations.