Groundskeeper: What is the cost of hiring?

Why hire a groundskeeper?

The need for new staff can affect both your existing team and your bottom line. A great groundskeeper can:

• Oversee management of all trees, bushes, lawns and irrigation systems
• Clear snow and foliage as the season dictates
• Maintain all tools, equipment and inventory needed to manage grounds

Deciding between a full-time vs freelance groundskeeper

Depending on the size of the property your business is on, you could hire either a full-time or freelance groundskeeper. Smaller properties that don’t require constant maintenance and upkeep could be tended to by a freelancer who takes care of the grounds about once a week. Paying for infrequent services saves companies money when compared to paying a full-time employee‘s salary.

If the company is on a large property with many acres, such as a school or an amusement park, a full-time groundskeeper may be necessary. Their hourly costs are lower than a freelancer, so the company may save money overall. 

What are the types of groundskeepers?

There are several landscape jobs responsible for tending to the grounds around residential and commercial properties. These jobs include:

• Groundskeepers: Groundskeepers work to keep the trees, shrubbery, plants and bushes on large properties attractive and under control. They also remove overgrown vegetation and snow when applicable and clean trash off the grounds. 
• Landscapers: Though some landscapers also maintain lawns and grounds, their primary purpose is to design and install an exterior environment on residential and commercial properties. 
• Pest control workers: Pest control employees work to keep unwanted pests off of clients’ grounds, including ticks, ants, termites and mosquitoes. They can also take care of larger pest infestations, such as rats, mice and snakes. 
• Janitors: While janitors are primarily associated with cleaning the interiors of buildings, there are some janitor positions that require them to keep the outside areas clean as well, such as universities. 

Where to find groundskeepers

To find the right groundskeeper for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

• Post help wanted signs. Since groundskeeper positions typically don’t require a formal secondary education, posting help wanted flyers can generate interest in the job.
• Hire from within. There may already be employees in your business who have experience in the groundskeeping field and are looking for a job change. Conduct interviews with interested candidates to find a good fit. 
• Search for candidates online. With online sites allowing people to advertise their skills, some potential candidates with groundskeeping experience may be on platforms searching for jobs. Look at these sites and set up interviews with interested candidates. 
• Post your job online. Try posting your groundskeeper job on Indeed to find and attract quality groundskeeper candidates.

Skills to look for in a great Groundskeeper

A great Groundskeeper candidate will have the following skills and attributes as well as work experience that reflects:

• Familiarity with horticulture and landscaping methods
• Knowledge of use and maintenance of gardening tools like mowers, blowers, and trimmers
• Outdoor plumbing and irrigation know-how a plus
• Enjoys working long hours outside
• Able to work independently
• Time and inventory management

Writing a groundskeeper job description

A thoughtful description can help find qualified groundskeeper candidates. A groundskeeper job description includes a compelling summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities and the required and preferred skills for the position.

When writing your groundskeeper job description, consider including some or all of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting . These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on groundskeeper jobs, according to Indeed data:

• Groundskeeper
• Landscaping
• Maintenance
• Golf course
• Golf
• Laborer
• Landscape
• General labor
• Porter
• Hiring immediately

Interviewing groundskeeper candidates

Strong candidates for groundskeeper positions will be confident answering questions regarding:

• Horticulture and plant management and growth
• The maintenance of irrigation systems in sync with seasonal needs
• Pest management, including rodents or stinging insects

Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of groundskeeper interview questions for examples (with sample answers).