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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Landscape Maintenance Crew Member

💰 $ - $

LandscapingGroundskeepingLawn CareHorticulture

🎯 Role Definition

The Landscape Maintenance Crew Member is a hands-on groundskeeping specialist responsible for the safe, efficient, and professional maintenance of commercial and residential landscapes. This role focuses on turf care, plant health, seasonal cleanups, irrigation operation and basic repairs, equipment operation and upkeep, hardscape maintenance, and delivering excellent on-site customer service. Ideal candidates are reliable, safety-minded, and skilled with powered landscape equipment and plant care best practices.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Seasonal groundskeeper or seasonal lawn care technician
  • Grounds maintenance or custodial support role
  • Entry-level landscape laborer with basic equipment experience

Advancement To:

  • Crew Lead / Foreman
  • Landscape Maintenance Supervisor
  • Turf Technician / Irrigation Technician
  • Landscape Estimator or Project Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

  • Irrigation Technician
  • Hardscape Installer
  • Arborist Apprentice / Tree Care Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform scheduled mowing, trimming, edging and debris removal for commercial and residential properties, ensuring consistent turf height, clean edges, and a finished, professional appearance.
  • Prune shrubs, hedges, ornamental trees and perennial beds using correct horticultural pruning techniques to promote plant health and present a neat landscape aesthetic.
  • Install, repair and troubleshoot automatic irrigation systems including diagnosing zone failures, replacing solenoids, adjusting heads, and winterizing spring-to-fall systems to reduce water waste.
  • Apply fertilizers, soil amendments and plant supplements following manufacturer instructions and integrated pest management (IPM) practices to optimize turf and plant health.
  • Perform targeted weed control including hand weeding, mechanical removal, and spot herbicide application when licensed, following label directions and local regulations.
  • Operate and maintain powered landscape equipment safely—mowers, stand-on mowers, zero-turns, string trimmers, blowers, edgers, chainsaws, and compact loaders—with daily pre- and post-shift inspections.
  • Load, unload and transport materials (soil, mulch, rock, plant material) and tools to and from job sites while maintaining safe material handling practices and proper securing of loads.
  • Install and replenish mulch beds, fabricate planting beds, and grade soil for optimal drainage and plant establishment while following job specifications and design plans.
  • Conduct seasonal cleanups including leaf removal, pruning, bed rejuvenation, and spring/fall prep to maintain landscape quality across seasonal transitions.
  • Perform minor hardscape repairs such as resetting pavers, repairing stepping stones, clearing drains, and removing debris from walkways to reduce trip hazards and maintain curb appeal.
  • Read and follow landscape plans, work orders and checklists; verify scope of work on site and communicate discrepancies to the Crew Lead or Supervisor promptly.
  • Monitor plant health and identify pests, diseases, nutrient deficiencies and environmental stressors, documenting observations and recommending corrective actions to supervisors or horticultural specialists.
  • Maintain accurate work logs, timecards, chemical application records and inventory reports, ensuring compliance with company policy and regulatory requirements.
  • Participate in routine safety meetings, follow PPE requirements, maintain a hazard-free work environment, and report unsafe conditions or near-misses immediately.
  • Assist with new plant installations including layout, hole digging, planting, staking, and initial irrigation set-up to ensure establishment and long-term vigor.
  • Operate small earth-moving equipment (mini-excavator, skid-steer) as required for grading, trenching for irrigation, or material moving under supervision and with appropriate training and certification.
  • Perform snow removal and ice management tasks during winter months (where applicable), including plowing, shoveling, de-icing and applying abrasives while following site-specific snow plans.
  • Conduct routine small-engine and equipment maintenance—fueling, sharpening blades, cleaning air filters, replacing spark plugs—and coordinate major repairs with the shop or supervisor.
  • Provide courteous, professional customer interactions on-site: listen to requests, explain basic maintenance activities, and escalate client concerns to the Crew Lead.
  • Follow environmentally responsible practices including erosion control, proper disposal of landscape waste, recycling green materials where possible, and minimizing chemical runoff.
  • Assist with crew training for seasonal employees and apprentices, demonstrating safe equipment operation, pruning techniques, and company quality standards.
  • Ensure site appearance standards are met at job completion: remove litter, blow debris from hard surfaces, and leave sites safe and visually appealing.
  • Help manage on-site inventory of materials and parts; notify supervisor of low-stock items and assist with receiving and staging deliveries.
  • Support quality assurance inspections by resolving punch-list items, correcting deficiencies, and documenting completed corrective actions.

Secondary Functions

  • Support cross-functional projects such as landscape renovations, seasonal color rotations, and special event setups.
  • Assist the estimating team by gathering field measurements, taking photos, and providing input on labor and materials for bids.
  • Participate in plant inventories and tagging programs to maintain accurate landscape plant records for long-term maintenance planning.
  • Contribute to seasonal scheduling and route optimization by providing field input on time requirements and equipment needs.
  • Help document and standardize maintenance procedures and checklists to improve crew efficiency and training consistency.
  • Collaborate with irrigation specialists and certified applicators to schedule complex repairs and pesticide treatments.
  • Attend occasional evening or weekend work for special projects or emergency storm response as business needs dictate.
  • Maintain effective communication with office staff via mobile apps, photos, and work order systems to close out jobs promptly.
  • Volunteer for community outreach or property owner meetings to represent the company and build goodwill when requested.
  • Keep up with product and technique updates by participating in on-the-job training and periodic certification renewals.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient operation of commercial lawn mowers (zero-turn, stand-on, and walk-behind) and attachment equipment.
  • Skilled with string trimmers, edgers, backpack blowers, and handheld pruners; able to tune and maintain these tools.
  • Experience diagnosing and repairing basic irrigation system issues: solenoid replacement, head adjustments, valve replacement, and controller programming.
  • Knowledge of turfgrass care: mowing heights, aeration basics, overseeding, topdressing, and seasonal fertility scheduling.
  • Understanding of plant identification, proper planting techniques, pruning methods, and basic disease/pest recognition.
  • Safe herbicide/pesticide handling and application knowledge; ability to work with certified applicators and follow label/regulatory guidelines (certification preferred).
  • Competence operating small construction equipment (skid-steer, mini-excavator) or willingness to obtain certification and training.
  • Ability to read landscape plans, scope documents, and work orders to execute tasks to specification.
  • Basic mechanical skills for routine maintenance: blade sharpening, fluid checks, belt replacement, and small engine troubleshooting.
  • Experience with snow removal equipment (plows, salt spreaders, snow blowers) for operations in cold climates (if applicable).
  • Proficient use of mobile work order apps, GPS navigation for route efficiency, and basic photo documentation for quality control.
  • Knowledge of safety standards (OSHA, PPE use, lockout/tagout for equipment) and safe chemical storage/handling procedures.

Soft Skills

  • Strong teamwork and collaboration skills; able to work effectively under a crew lead and coordinate tasks with other crew members.
  • Clear verbal communication with clients, supervisors and co-workers; professional on-site demeanor.
  • Reliable, punctual, and able to manage time effectively to meet scheduled routes and service windows.
  • Attention to detail and pride in workmanship to produce consistently high-quality landscape presentations.
  • Problem-solving mindset with the ability to assess on-site issues and propose practical, safe solutions.
  • Adaptability to changing weather, seasonality and shifting priorities while maintaining productivity.
  • Customer-service orientation: courteous interaction, responsiveness to requests, and escalation of client issues when necessary.
  • Physical stamina and resilience to perform repetitive and strenuous tasks outdoors in varied weather conditions.
  • Safety-first attitude: proactive reporting of hazards, consistent PPE usage, and adherence to safe work practices.
  • Initiative to learn and grow technical skills, equipment operation, and plant care knowledge.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience considered.

Preferred Education:

  • Certificate or coursework in horticulture, turf management, landscaping technology, or arboriculture.
  • Vocational training in small engine repair, equipment operation, or construction-related subjects.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Horticulture
  • Turfgrass Management
  • Landscape Architecture Technology
  • Agricultural Science
  • Small Engine Repair / Heavy Equipment Operation

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–3 years for entry-level maintenance crew roles; 2+ years preferred for commercial/large-site assignments.

Preferred:

  • 1–3 years of hands-on landscape maintenance experience with commercial accounts, municipal properties, or large residential communities.
  • Valid driver's license with a clean driving record; commercial driver's license (CDL) a plus for certain positions.
  • Ability to pass background check and pre-employment drug screen.
  • Certifications preferred: pesticide applicator license, ISA arborist credentials, or manufacturer equipment operation certifications for skid-steers/mini-excavators.
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