What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lanscape & Grounds Maintenance position at Durango School District 9-R?
Durango School District is accepting applications for a full time, Landscape and Grounds Maintenance position for Durango School District, 12 month, Monday - Friday, 40 hours a week. Includes life, health and dental insurance as well as paid sick leave, personal leave and annual leave benefits. Begins 09/14/2026.
**For the 26/27 SY, this position includes an $1800 one-time bonus for staff newly hired to the school district who begin their position by October 1, 2026! (pro-rated for late start)**
**Employee workforce housing available in the 2026/2027 school year!**
**For the 26/27 SY, this position includes an $1800 one-time bonus for staff newly hired to the school district who begin their position by October 1, 2026! (pro-rated for late start)**
**Employee workforce housing available in the 2026/2027 school year!**
- Job Title:** Landscape and Grounds Maintenance **Pay Grade:** ESP Salary Schedule
- Job Family:** Facilities **FLSA Status:** Non-exempt
- Department:** Facilities **Prepared Date:** 8/9/23; rev. 5/1/24; 5/21/25
- Typical Work Year:** 12 months
- SUMMARY:** Performs a variety of tasks in general maintenance of landscape and grounds; maintains and performs repairs to grounds maintenance equipment; performs duties related to the upkeep and beautification of 9-R district campuses.
- ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:** *To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The frequency and percentage of time of duties may vary based on building or department needs.*
- Maintaining grounds in a clean, safe, and orderly manner.
- Mowing, edging, aerating lawns and border areas.
- Removing weeds and debris from walkways, culverts, stairways, roadways, planters, and parking areas by hand or via herbicide application.
- Pruning shrubs and trees up to a maximum height of fifteen feet.
- Using a blower or broom to sweep sidewalks.
- Maintaining in-ground drains and culverts.
- Loading, transporting, and unloading equipment or materials from department vehicles.
- Hauling and disposing of landscape cuttings and debris.
- Cultivating and renovating designated planting areas.
- Maintaining aesthetics of landscapes and grounds.
- Replacing bark and mulch in planters and landscaping as needed.
- Installing or replacing turf, trees, ornamental plants, shrubs, ground covers, annuals, and bulbs; plans, installs.
- Maintaining landscape irrigation systems including repairing or replacing sprinkler heads, valves, lines, and adjusting irrigation timers; assists with repairs or installations of paving materials for pathways, concrete and rock retaining walls, wood, concrete and/or rock borders and various posts, slabs, drains, and culverts;
- Operating and maintaining ground maintenance equipment such as lawn mower, edger, sweeper, string trimmer, rototiller, chainsaw, power hedge trimmer, sprayers, and basic gardening hand tools. Loads equipment on trailer and delivers to work sites.
- Maintaining hoses, supplies, tools, and equipment in proper condition and repair.
- Maintaining service request records, equipment parts listings, equipment oil change logs, equipment service/repair logs, seed usage logs, irrigation repair logs, and records of supplies used.
- Mixing and applying approved herbicides for weed mitigation; mixing and applying fertilizers; performs minor pest management ; maintains stock of fertilizer and plant food supplies; maintains current Weekly Review Sheet (WRS) for potentially hazardous materials; maintains logs and files pesticide use reports
- **Assisting in other minor maintenance tasks as required.**
- Operating and maintaining snow removal equipment.
- Performing snow removal
- Supporting the custodial epartment duties.
- Playground maintenance
- EDUCATION AND TRAINING:** High school diploma or equivalent. Must be at least 18 years of age.
- EXPERIENCE:** Any combination of education, training, and experience necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities as described, including specialized knowledge and work experience in landscaping and horticultural techniques.
- CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS:** Valid driver's license permitting operation of vehicles in Colorado required. Criminal Background Check required for hire.
- Ability to perform math computations needed in trade.
- Knowledge of turf management and maintenance practices and techniques including water conservation; horticulture and methods of planting, cultivation, pruning, and caring for plants, trees, and lawns; sprinkler and irrigation system design, installation, operation, and sports field maintenance; operation and maintenance of landscape and grounds maintenance equipment and tools; proper and safe application of fertilizers, herbicides, and chemical controls; recordkeeping techniques; legislation on using pesticides in schools; safe lifting techniques; proper usage of personal protective equipment (PPE); safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials.
- Possesses skill and ability to install and repair sprinkler systems; operate hand and power tools, and other associated grounds maintenance equipment; order and maintain sprinkler parts stock; maintain grounds maintenance equipment; safely operate a vehicle; perform tree maintenance; perform general gardening and grounds work.
- Personal computer and keyboarding skills.
- Ability to respond to departmental emergencies and participate in snow removal and on-call status.
- Ability to communicate, interact, and work effectively in a team environment.
- Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator.
- Ability to promote and follow Board of Education policies, Superintendent policies, and building/department procedures.
- Operating knowledge of and experience with personal computers and peripherals.
- Operating knowledge of trucks, trailers, power tools, hand tools, irrigation/sprinkler systems, and landscape equipment preferred.
- Responsible for appropriate and efficient use of repair parts and tools provided by the District.
- Operating knowledge of and experience with snow removal equipment