Groundskeeper
Cottonwood Residential
You will be taken to the employer's application page. Listing expires September 5, 2026.
Job Description
Compensation & Benefits of a Groundskeeper
- Competitive pay!
- Full health, vision, dental, life, and disability benefits - available within 1-30 days!
- Generous 401k and HSA Company match!
- Paid time off – eligible for 3 weeks (120 hours) in 1st year!
- 10.5 paid holidays!
Qualifications & Required Experience of a Groundskeeper
- Ability to read, write, and speak English to communicate with customers, process Company paperwork, and interpret safety and operating manuals and procedures.
- Available to work on-call during nights/weekends and Company events.
- Must be able to move, carry, reposition, or lift items weighing up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to walk and stand for long periods of time.
- Ability to climb stairs, ladders, scaffolds, and ability to navigate elevation changes while maintaining balance.
- Frequent need to sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, bend, push/pull, and ability to navigate difficult terrain and access small areas.
Job Summary of a Groundskeeper
- Removing trash and litter from the property grounds.
- Sweeping and pressure washing pathways and buildings.
- Basic gardening and weeding.
- Wiping down and cleaning windows and common furniture.
- Completing general maintenance tasks related to household, building, and grounds repairs.
Cottonwood Residential has changed the industry by being one of the first apartment management companies to offer Self-Guided Tours which has redefined the customer experience. We will lean on your innovation, desire to learn, and ability to work hard to continue to improve the customer experience at our communities. Get excited to create an unforgettable experience for those who enter our doors because we can't wait to see you welcome customers to their Home at Last!
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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