Senior Grounds Technician
Christ School
Arden, North Carolina
Reports To: Director of Grounds
Position Summary
The Grounds Specialist is responsible for helping maintain the beauty, safety, and functionality of Christ School's historic 500-acre campus. Working as a member of the Grounds Department, this position performs a wide variety of skilled grounds maintenance duties while contributing to the stewardship of one of the region's most distinctive school campuses.
The ideal candidate enjoys working outdoors, takes pride in producing high-quality work, and understands that exceptional groundskeeping is found in the details. From maintaining expansive lawns and wooded areas to pruning, trimming, and caring for campus landscapes, this individual plays an important role in creating a welcoming environment for students, faculty, alumni, and visitors.
This position is well suited for someone who enjoys learning new skills, taking ownership of their work, and growing within a professional grounds maintenance team.
Essential Responsibilities
Grounds Maintenance
- Maintain lawns, landscaped areas, athletic support spaces, walking paths, and natural areas throughout campus to Christ School's established standards.
- Operate commercial mowing equipment, tractors, bush hogs, utility vehicles, and other grounds maintenance equipment safely and efficiently.
- Maintain wooded areas, trails, fence lines, stream corridors, and remote portions of campus through brush clearing, underbrush management, and vegetation control.
- Perform trimming, edging, weed eating, blowing, pruning, mulching, leaf removal, and seasonal cleanup with an emphasis on quality and attention to detail.
- Assist with planting trees, shrubs, flowers, and seasonal landscape enhancements.
- Monitor assigned areas for irrigation concerns, storm damage, drainage issues, and safety hazards, reporting concerns as appropriate.
Landscape Stewardship
- Help preserve the natural beauty and historic character of Christ School's campus.
- Maintain campus trails, outdoor gathering spaces, and common areas that support student life and campus activities.
- Identify weeds, insects, disease, erosion, and other landscape issues before they become larger maintenance concerns.
- Practice proper pruning, plant care, and landscape maintenance techniques that promote long-term plant health.
- Take ownership of assigned areas by continually looking for opportunities to improve campus appearance.
Equipment & Shop Responsibilities
- Safely operate and perform routine maintenance on commercial grounds equipment.
- Complete daily equipment inspections and report maintenance or repair needs.
- Assist with preventative maintenance to maximize equipment life and reliability.
- Maintain clean, organized, and safe equipment storage and work areas.
Campus Support
- Assist with setup and breakdown of school events, admissions programs, athletic competitions, alumni gatherings, and other campus functions.
- Participate in storm cleanup, snow removal, emergency response, and seasonal campus improvement projects.
- Work collaboratively with Facilities, Athletics, and other departments to support the daily operation of the school.
Qualifications
Required
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Valid North Carolina driver's license or ability to obtain one.
- Ability to safely operate commercial landscape equipment or willingness to learn.
- Strong work ethic and commitment to producing quality work.
- Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Preferred
- Experience in commercial grounds maintenance, landscaping, forestry, horticulture, or a related field.
- Experience operating tractors, commercial mowers, bush hogs, chainsaws, skid steers, or similar equipment.
- Technical training or certifications in landscape management, horticulture, or turfgrass management.
- North Carolina Pesticide Applicator License or willingness to obtain certification.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Pride in maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces.
- Strong attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality workmanship.
- Knowledge of mowing, trimming, pruning, and general landscape maintenance practices.
- Mechanical aptitude and the ability to safely operate and maintain equipment.
- Initiative and the ability to recognize maintenance needs before they become problems.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- A desire to continue learning and expanding their knowledge of grounds and landscape management.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to perform physically demanding work outdoors in all seasons.
- Frequently lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to 75 pounds.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, and operate commercial equipment for extended periods.
- Ability to work safely around heavy equipment, uneven terrain, and changing weather conditions.
About Christ School
Christ School's campus is one of its defining characteristics. Every lawn, trail, garden, and woodland contributes to the experience of students, families, faculty, and alumni. The Grounds Specialist plays an essential role in preserving this environment by combining technical skill, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence in the care of the campus.
Christ School was founded in 1900 and is affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Located nine miles south of downtown Asheville, North Carolina, Christ School is an all-boys boarding and day school for grades 8-12. Students come from 14 states and nine foreign countries. All world faiths are represented and welcome at Christ School. www.christschool.org
Christ School is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or any other legally protected status.
Pay: From $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Safety equipment provided
Work Location: In person
