The Jones Center is a 220,000 SF community nonprofit in Springdale, Arkansas, serving approximately 600,000 visitors each year. Our mission is to fuel community connections by cultivating spaces and experiences where everyone can learn, play, and thrive together. The Springdale campus includes a school, conference center, fitness center, two swimming pools, an ice rink, and 53 acres of outdoor grounds.
We are proud to serve our community and are looking for team members who share our commitment to creating a welcoming, well-maintained campus for everyone who walks through our doors.
The Groundskeeper is responsible for maintaining the appearance, safety, and cleanliness of the outdoor grounds at The Jones Center's Springdale campus — a 53-acre community facility serving approximately 600,000 visitors per year. This position focuses primarily on mowing with the stand-on mower, string trimming, edging, and general grounds upkeep. The Groundskeeper works as part of a dedicated three-person grounds crew under the direction of the Director of Facilities.
During winter months and inclement weather days, the Groundskeeper will transition to interior facility projects, including painting and outdoor seasonal re-mulching of campus flowerbed maintenance.
Mowing & Turf Maintenance
- Operate the John Deere 636M QuikTrak 36" stand-on mower in tight areas around buildings, flowerbeds, fences, and campus obstacles
- Assist with mowing open turf areas as needed alongside the Z930M zero-turn operator
- Maintain consistent mowing height and patterns as directed
- Complete weekly mow cycle across campus turf
String Trimming & Edging
- Operate Stihl weed eaters to trim around all campus obstacles, including signs, trees, fences, curbs, bed borders, and building foundations
- Use a Stihl edger to maintain clean, defined edges along sidewalks, curbs, and flowerbed borders
- Ensure all trimmed and edged areas are completed the same day as mowing
Cleanup & Campus Appearance
- Operate Stihl backpack blower to clear clippings from all hard surfaces, including walkways, parking areas, and building entrances after mowing
- Perform litter pickup throughout campus regularly
- Maintain a neat, professional appearance across all ground areas at all times
Flowerbed & General Grounds Support
- Assist with flowerbed weeding, deadheading, and seasonal planting as directed
- Support re-mulching of campus flowerbeds during winter months
Winter & Rainy-Day Work
- Transition to interior facility projects during the winter season (December through February) and on rainy days
- Interior work includes painting, re-mulching outside beds, general facility upkeep, and other tasks as assigned by the Director of Facilities
Equipment Care & Safety
- Perform pre-operation inspections on all assigned equipment before each use
- Report any equipment damage, malfunction, or safety concerns to the Director of Facilities immediately
- Keep assigned equipment clean, fueled, and properly stored at the end of each shift
- Follow all safety protocols when operating power equipment
Required
- Ability to safely operate commercial mowers, string trimmers, edgers, and backpack blowers
- Physical ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, including heat, humidity, and cold
- Ability to walk, stand, bend, and lift up to 50 pounds repeatedly throughout the workday
- Dependable, punctual, and able to work as part of a small team
Preferred
- Prior experience operating commercial stand-on or zero-turn mowers
- Experience with STIHL or similar commercial handheld grounds equipment
- Knowledge of turf care, flowerbed maintenance, or horticulture basics
- Experience working on a large commercial or institutional campus
This is a physically demanding, outdoor position. The Groundskeeper must be able to:
- Stand and walk for extended periods on uneven terrain
- Operate vibrating equipment (mowers, trimmers) for several hours per day
- Work in outdoor conditions, including summer heat (Arkansas temperatures regularly exceed 95°F), humidity, cold, and occasional rain
- Lift and carry equipment, mulch bags, and supplies up to 50 lbs
- Bend, stoop, kneel, and reach as required for trimming and bed work
- Primarily outdoor work year-round on the Springdale campus
- Interior work is assigned during the winter months (December through February) and on rainy days
- Standard schedule: Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week
- Occasional schedule adjustments may be needed around campus events or weather
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) provided and required
