Position: Grounds Maintenance Technician
Department: Operations/Grounds
Reports to: Grounds Foreman
Pay Type: Full Time Hourly, Non – Exempt
Application Deadline: August 7th, 2026
Summary: The Grounds Maintenance Technician at the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport (MSPA) plays a crucial role in ensuring the cleanliness, maintenance, and overall appearance of the port’s facilities and grounds. This position is responsible for a variety of tasks that contribute to the efficient and safe operation of the port. The Grounds Maintenance Technician will perform routine maintenance duties, support construction and repair projects, and assist with safety inspections.
About the MSPA: We offer a supportive, fun, and collaborative work environment along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We are committed to professional growth, offering development opportunities and tuition reimbursement after one year of employment. Our team members enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; participation in the Mississippi State PERS retirement system; and state holidays and state leave. At the Port of Gulfport, you will be part of a mission-driven organization where your work matters and your career can grow alongside a port that connects the world.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
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Clean warehouses, sheds, and other buildings; follow cleaning schedule to ensure condition of readiness to meet normal hours of operation.
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Clean and sanitize restroom facilities. Fill and refill paper and soap dispensers, maintaining back-up supplies in sufficient quantities.
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Clean assigned spaces, including washing windows on a weekly schedule.
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Clean and wash port vehicles as scheduled.
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Maintain a clean and safe working environment.
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Inspect equipment prior to use for condition, fluid levels if required and trouble-free operation.
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On a daily basis, pick up litter from the port grounds, fence lines, roadways and rail lines. Collect trash from various trash cans placed about the port.
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Maintain port grounds by mowing grass, trimming weeds, weeding flower beds, trimming shrubbery, etc.
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Provide labor support for construction, maintenance and repair projects as required.
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Assist with the collection and layout of materials for each job assignment
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Clean any tools after use. Clean and organize the tool storage area, material lay down and associated storage areas.
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Assisting with the preventative maintenance inspection repairs.
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Hook-up water line to vessels, read water meter and post reading in logbook.
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Serve as a Line Handler for inbound and outbound ships on a “watch bill” basis.
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Assist in area safety inspections and follow all job safety rules while working.
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Certified and able to operate all equipment required in the performance of assigned tasks.
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Perform other duties of a like nature that may be assigned by your immediate supervisor or higher authority.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time without notice.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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Basic construction skills with basic knowledge of power tools.
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Ability to quickly learn assigned tasks, maintain detailed and accurate records, and adhere to established procedures and safety protocols.
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Strong ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as collaboratively within a team, fostering a positive team environment and a spirit of cooperation.
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Ability to operate light to medium-duty grounds maintenance equipment.
Qualifications and Experience:
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High School Diploma or Equivalent
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Mississippi Driver’s License
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Experience in yard and ground maintenance work.
Requirements:
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Must be able to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) within 30 days of employment. (See: https://www.tsa.gov/twic)
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Must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening in accordance with MSPA policy.
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Must successfully complete any required MSPA background and security screening.
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Must possess and maintain a valid Mississippi driver’s license.
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Must be available to work occasional extended or nonstandard hours.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs, balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth, perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is sometimes exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.