2026-2027 Groundskeeper @ Custodial
Alief Independent School District
You will be taken to the employer's application page. Listing expires September 5, 2026.
Job Description
Primary Purpose
To perform necessary tasks to maintain grounds around district facilities and on district sites so they are safe, neat, and attractive.
Qualifications
Education/Certification: High school graduate or GED equivalency preferred
Valid Class C Texas driver's license with a safe driving record to pass a DMV check
Special Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Ability to follow written and oral instructions
- Skills to meet the performance responsibilities
- Knowledgeable of the procedures required for the care and maintenance of the athletic fields, playgrounds, lawns, shrubs, and general landscape maintenance
- Knowledgeable of specific chemicals and proper mixing procedures (follow direction on labels)
- Knowledgeable of proper operating procedures for all grounds equipment and tools
- Knowledgeable of safety requirements for grounds care
- Flexible and able to adjust daily routine
- Ability to work in exposure to all weather conditions
Experience
None
Major Responsibilities and Duties
Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping
- Operate power-driven ground maintenance equipment to mow and detail all district grounds, including athletic fields.
- Follow scheduled maintenance plan to care for lawns, trees, shrubs, and flowers by watering, pruning, fertilizing, mulching, caring for beds, and controlling weeds.
- Perform duties as assigned with equipment and hand tools
- Assist with the preparation of athletic fields for games, including chalking fields.
- Collect and dispose of leaves, dirt, rubbish, and refuse from district facilities
- Comply with working guidelines of the department.
- Comply with the established policies and procedures for the care and maintenance of the athletic fields and grounds.
- Adhere to the work production schedules and landscape standards.
- Prevent waste of supplies and utilities.
- Present a neat and well-groomed appearance and aura.
- Assist with the inspection, repair, and installation of sprinkler systems.
- Assist with athletic events when necessary.
- Respond to district emergencies as needed.
Safety
- Remove and/or advise grounds foreman of any hazardous situations noticed while working on school grounds and sites.
- Follow established safety procedures and techniques to perform job duties including lifting and climbing.
- Operate tools, equipment, and machinery according to prescribed safety procedures.
- Follow safety guidelines as listed in the Maintenance Services Department safety manual.
- Correct unsafe conditions in work area and promptly report any conditions that are not immediately correctable to foreman.
- Help keep vehicle, equipment, and tools in safe operating condition.
- Inspect and adjust tools and equipment for safety and efficiency and perform preventive maintenance as needed.
- Follow established procedures for locking, checking, and safeguarding equipment and facilities.
- Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
Other
- Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
- Maintain an appropriate level of technology competence to meet the current and future needs of Alief.
- Implement alternative methods of instruction as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
What Most Landscapers Job Listings Don't Tell You
General overview for this role type; specifics vary by employer.
Most landscaping and lawn roles do not require a state license, though anyone applying fertilizers or weed control commercially may need a Department of Agriculture applicator license. Irrigation work is separate and does require a licensed installer in Texas. That mix means the field has room for entry hands and specialized pros side by side. Pay is usually hourly, with crew leads and irrigation techs earning more, and design-build roles paying the best.
The work is outdoor and seasonal, but Houston's long growing season keeps crews busy most of the year. Spring and summer mean heavy mowing and planting. Fall brings cleanup and installs. New hires underestimate the heat and the early starts. Crews roll out at dawn to beat the afternoon sun. You run mowers, trimmers, and blowers, load and unload trailers, and handle plants, mulch, and stone. Reliability and a willingness to learn equipment and plant care open the path to lead and maintenance-manager roles.
What to Expect Day-to-Day
General overview for this role type; specifics vary by employer.
Maintenance crews load the trailer at dawn and run a route of properties. At each stop you mow, edge, trim hedges, blow clippings, and clear beds so the property looks sharp. Speed and consistency matter because crews hit many stops in a day and the same yards every week.
Install and design work is a different pace. You dig beds, set plants, lay sod, spread mulch, and build hardscape features like walkways and retaining walls. Irrigation techs troubleshoot controllers, replace heads, and fix leaks in the line. Across all of it you maintain equipment, keep blades sharp, and manage fuel and safety gear. Customer interaction is lighter than in other trades, but a crew lead still communicates with property owners about scope and timing. Expect sun, heat, dust, and physical labor from start to finish, balanced by visible, satisfying results at the end of each property.
What Landscapers Jobs Pay in Houston
Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area (Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area. Median is about $17.44/hr.
Building a Landscaping Career in Texas
Most mowing and maintenance work needs no state license. Two paths do require one. Applying fertilizer or weed control for hire can require a Texas Department of Agriculture applicator license, and installing irrigation systems requires a licensed irrigator through the state environmental agency. Backflow testing on irrigation is a further certification. That means a maintenance hand can start with no license, while specialized and design-build roles reward certification. The path moves from crew work into lead, then into irrigation, chemical, or design specialties that pay more.
Career Ladder and Pay
- 1 Crew Member $33,821/yr
Mow, edge, trim, and plant while learning equipment and plant care.
- 2 Crew Lead $36,275/yr
Run a maintenance crew and manage routes and quality.
- 3 Irrigation / Chemical Specialist $39,707/yr
Hold an irrigator or applicator license for higher-value work.
- 4 Designer / Account Manager $39,707/yr
Design installs and manage commercial landscape accounts.
- 5 Landscape Company Owner $46,696/yr
Run a maintenance or design-build company and manage crews.
Licensing paths and timelines are general guidance for this trade in Texas. Confirm current requirements with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or the relevant state agency.
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