Groundskeeper

Position Title:     Groundskeeper (Part-time)

Reports To:         Head of Building and Grounds

Status:                  Hourly, Non-exempt 

Updated:             August 19, 2026

Job Summary:  The landscape is often the first impression visitors have when approaching AMFA, and it should convey a sense of safety, security, beauty, and welcome. The Groundskeeper, reporting to the Head of Building and Grounds, is part of a diverse and committed Facilities team responsible for year-round daily landscape maintenance and support for outdoor program activities at AMFA. This position helps maintain a landscape plan that creates an attractive and welcoming environment for staff, guests, and visitors. Working in an ever-changing setting, the Groundskeeper will enjoy interacting with people and collaborating with colleagues to support a positive, warm, and well-maintained museum environment.

This position is part-time, with an average of twenty (20) hours per week.

Key Responsibilities: 

General 

• Arrive on time and ready to work, as scheduled.  
• Maintain an accurate record of time worked using web-based time and attendance system. 
• Work occasional mandatory overtime, as necessary.  
• Work in a professional and cooperative manner with other AMFA associates and employees. 
• Maintain a professional, neat, clean, well-groomed appearance.   
• Assist with other duties as assigned.  

Grounds Maintenance  - Approximately 90%

• Perform routine checks and clean exterior furniture, sculptures, and signs as needed.
• Perform routine checks of the grounds and remove fallen branches and dead shrubs and plants.
• Operate hand tools and earth-moving equipment to prepare sites for planting and transplanting of shrubs and small trees; uses shovels, rakes, and other hand tools to maintain areas around plants.
• Operate a backpack blower to clean leaves, pea gravel, and debris from sidewalks and parking lots, collect and remove leaves from lawn areas and flower beds.
• Collect and remove trash from Museum parking lots, sidewalks, grounds, and exterior trash cans.
• Apply mulch to flower beds and around trees.
• Perform basic repairs on irrigation and sprinkler systems.
• Operate power hedge trimmers, loppers, power saws and hand pruners to trim plants, shrubs, and trees.
• Plant trees, shrubs, perennials, and other plant materials; lay sod.
• Operate riding mowers, zero-turn mowers, string trimmers, push mowers and edgers to maintain turf areas.
• Mix and apply herbicides, fungicides and other pesticides as needed to control weeds and maintain healthy plant material.
•  Notify supervisor of needed supplies and materials.
•  Notify supervisor of problems with plant damage and disease and damage to equipment and facilities.
• Assist with setup and takedown for outdoor programming events.

Event Set-Up – Approximately 10%

• Assist with the setup and breakdown of museum events, including arranging tables, chairs, and other equipment as specified by event plans.
• Coordinate with event planners and facilities team to ensure that event spaces are prepared and restored to their original condition post-event.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

•  High school diploma or equivalent; one year or more related experience or a combination of both education and experience.
• Previous experience in facilities maintenance, landscape maintenance, or related roles, preferably in a museum, gallery, or cultural institution is preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Outlook
• Ability to work mornings and weekends.
• Ability to work safely, following established OSHA and other safety policies and protocols.
• Ability to understand and follow standard operating procedures.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished orally or in written, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to exercise good judgment to handle conflict and resolve issues with tact and diplomacy, remaining calm and collected.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements 

•  Sitting:  Ability to occasionally sit for short periods of time
• Standing: Ability to regularly stand for prolonged periods (up to five hours)
• Walking: Ability to regularly walk for long periods of time (up to five hours)
• Climbing Stairs/Ladders/Lifts: Ability to regularly ascend and descend stairs and/or ladders multiple times during the workday, safely operate lifts, safely work at heights
• Lifting and Carrying: Ability to regularly lift, carry, push, and/or pull materials and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds, occasionally more with assistance.
• Manual Dexterity: Ability to regularly use hands and fingers for handling materials, operating equipment, and using hand tools.
• Computer Use: Ability to occasionally use a computer, keyboard, mouse, and standard office software. 
• Communication: Ability to regularly verbally communicate effectively and professionally, with the team and public in a variety of environments, including noisy event settings.
• Visual Acuity: Ability to regularly see and read printed and digital materials and perform detailed maintenance functions.
• Hearing Acuity: Ability to hear and understand spoken communication in person and over the phone, including in environments with background noise.

• Mobility and Endurance: Ability to maintain physical stamina and mobility to meet the demands of grounds maintenance and event schedules, which may include evenings, weekends, and extended hours.
• Work Environment and Exposure: 
  • Work is occasionally performed inside, but mostly outside on Museum grounds.
  • Regularly exposed to outside weather conditions; occasionally includes rain, snow, ice, sleet, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. 
  • Regularly exposed to noise levels up to one hundred decibels.

Note:  This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications of the position.  It may be subject to change based on the Museum’s specific needs and policies.