Grounds Maintenance Technician II POS# 109030004

Position Overview

The Grounds Maintenance Technician II is a Crew Leader who is responsible for maintaining the safety, appearance, and functionality of County properties through skilled landscaping and grounds maintenance work. This position performs a variety of tasks, including planting, pruning, fertilizing, mowing, and applying approved chemicals in compliance with environmental and safety standards. The technician also assists with irrigation system maintenance, erosion and drainage control, and the removal of debris, snow, and refuse to ensure well-kept and accessible public spaces.

The role requires operating and maintaining a wide range of equipment, such as commercial mowers, tractors, backhoes, and skid steers. Working both independently and as part of a crew, the technician is expected to demonstrate sound judgment, initiative, and attention to detail while maintaining County properties to the highest standards. Employees may also provide guidance to less experienced crew members and perform related duties as assigned.

Examples of Duties

• Serves as a crew leader and working foreman, providing daily direction, oversight, and coordination of grounds maintenance operations within assigned County facilities and properties
• Supervises and participates in the maintenance of landscaped areas, including mowing, trimming, cultivating, planting, pruning, fertilizing, and maintaining turfgrass, trees, shrubs, flowers, and other vegetation
• Ensures compliance with applicable safety regulations, policies, and procedures, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to OSHA standards and safe work practices
• Plans, assigns, prioritizes, and monitors daily work activities; conducts crew meetings to communicate expectations, safety requirements, work assignments, and operational objectives
• Monitors employee performance and work quality; addresses performance concerns, documents operational issues, and communicates ongoing personnel or work-related matters to supervisory staff
• Prepares and maintains accurate daily work reports, including documentation of completed tasks, labor activities, equipment utilization, and the quantities of supplies, chemicals, and materials used
• Participates in and oversees the application of herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, and other approved chemicals in accordance with applicable regulations, safety standards, and departmental procedures
• Performs and supervises planting, transplanting, cultivating, pruning, and general care of trees, shrubs, flowers, bulbs, vines, and other landscape materials to maintain the appearance and health of County properties
• Assists with grounds maintenance activities including seeding, mowing, irrigation system installation and maintenance, erosion control measures, drainage improvements, and other landscape enhancement projects
• Participates in the removal and disposal of debris, leaves, refuse, fallen trees, snow, dirt, and other materials to maintain safe, clean, and functional County facilities and grounds
• Operates and oversees the safe operation of a variety of equipment and vehicles, including commercial mowers, tractors, skid steers, backhoes, front-end loaders, dump trucks, trailers, sprayers, spreaders, edgers, trimmers, and leaf blowers
• Promotes professionalism, accountability, and ethical conduct among crew members while ensuring work activities are performed efficiently, effectively, and in the best interest of the County

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED and three (3) years of professional or commercial experience in groundskeeping, landscaping, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Two (2) years performing work as a crew leader/foreman

Two (2) years operating heavy equipment (Skid Steer, Backhoe, Tractor, etc.)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of grounds keeping and horticultural practices, cultivation, pruning, spraying, and trimming requirements of shrubs and trees, and plant maintenance procedures used in landscape installation and ground maintenance
• Knowledge of all equipment and specialized tools used in landscape work and of plant maintenance procedures used in landscape installation and ground maintenance
• Knowledge of plant collection, which impacts the cultivation and maintenance of the plants
• Ability to observe, identify plants plant conditions, health and problems
• Ability to assess condition and health of plants; ability to operate heavy equipment
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to develop good working relationships with co-workers
• Ability to understand, comply with, and adhere to the safety rules and regulations

Conditions of Employment

Driving is an essential function of this position. To be considered, you must have a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record. If your driver's license is from another state, you will be required to obtain and show proof of a valid NC driver's license within 60 days of hire.

Successful candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment with Cumberland County must pass pre-employment screenings, including criminal history checks and drug screenings, as required by Cumberland County Policies and Procedures, prior to beginning work or receiving a final offer of employment. Refusal to submit to testing or testing positive for prohibited substances will result in the withdrawal of the conditional employment offer.

Cumberland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at Cumberland County are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or any other status protected by applicable laws and regulations. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.