Groundskeeper

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.  

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 89 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.

Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

 About the Position

A Groundskeeper performs basic landscaping maintenance tasks including, but not limited to mowing and other turf maintenance, leaf removal, snow removal, and picking up trash, yard debris, and other seasonal landscape tasks.

Main Duties:  

• Keeps assigned areas clean and free of trash, including paper, cigarettes, bottles, cans, etc. 
• Weeds and waters plant beds under the direction of Lead Horticulturists and Horticulturists. 
• Assists with planting and installation of flowers, shrubs, and trees. 
• Supports turf maintenance, including edging, mowing, fertilizing, and monitoring irrigation needs. 
• Cleans storm drains, swales, and catch basins as directed. 
• Operates and performs basic maintenance on power and hand tools such as mowers, trimmers, edgers, blowers, tillers, and shears. 
• Operates large equipment such as skid steers, tractors, dump trucks, and leaf vacuums. 
• Performs emergency landscape and safety work during inclement weather. 
• Follows OSHA safety standards, using appropriate protective equipment and clothing. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 
• This is a non-exempt position, eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This position may be subject to overtime during high peak times, etc. as directed and approved by the supervisor. 

Required Education & Experience:

• Skills gained through high school education/G.E.D.
• 0-1 years' experience in lawncare, groundskeeping, or related fields.
• Must possess a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record based on The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s criteria.
  • Must be able to provide a 5-year Motor Vehicle Record prior to employment
  • Must be at least 21 years of age
  • May not have more than 1 moving violation or at fault accident within 12 months
  • May not have more than 2 moving violations or at fault accidents within 36 months
  • May not have any serious motor vehicle violations including but not limited to excessive speeding, reckless driving, DUI/DWI, suspended or revoked license, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience operating landscape and garden maintenance equipment to include gas or battery-operated mowers, blowers, string trimmers, edgers, hedge shears.
• 2 or more years' experience in lawncare, groundskeeping, or related fields.

Key Skills & Competencies:

• Ability to read directions and fill out reports.
• Familiar with Microsoft Word computer skills.
• Work outside in all weather conditions, work flexible schedules including weekends, evenings, and holidays, be available for work on an emergency basis seven days a week, 24 hours a day and ability to learn new equipment.

Physical & Environmental Demands:

• Prolonged periods of standing and walking (up to 8 hours/shift)
• Frequent periods of stooping, kneeling, reaching, and griping (up to 8 hours/shift)
• Must be able to lift to 50 lbs without assistance (up to 5 hours/shift)
• Must be able to work in all types of weather conditions to include heat and high humidity to extreme cold (up to 8 hours/shift).