Groundskeeper I

Job description

Job Posting End Date:

September 24, 2026

Department :

PARKS AND RECREATION

Compensation Grade :

G14

Compensation Range & Starting Salary :

Full Time Pay Range: $35,193.60 - $54,849.60 Starting Salary - Minimum of the pay range

Job Exempt (If No, Position is eligible for overtime) :

No

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

About Us :

At Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation, our success is because of our dedicated employees.  We are intentional about creating an employee experience where you are empowered to reach your full potential, are supported through strength-based initiatives, and are confident in your abilities. We champion a workplace culture built on our cultural foundations: Professionalism, Respect, Accountability, Integrity, and Citizenship.  These guiding principles of behavior cultivate a positive and high performing work environment.  Success is recognized and celebrated, and legendary experiences are the core of who we are.

Job Duties and Preferred Qualifications :

Our Commitment

Work with the best – work for Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation! Join our team and contribute to our 60+ year track record of providing  legendary experiences ! We are dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and protecting our environment. We ensure all residents – regardless of their physical, social, and economic circumstances – can access our programs. By providing enriching and memorable lifelong experiences, we strive to enhance the quality of life for our community by improving the physical and mental well-being of our residents.

Day to Day Job Duties

Individual will perform landscape and grounds maintenance services for parks, building sites, roadways, school sites, athletic fields resort area and the municipal center.

Operate a variety of lawn mower (including commercial type) and other motorized equipment

Operate handheld power tools such as weed-eaters, edging and trimming equipment

Use common gardening and hand tools

Collect and dispose of trash and debris

Load and unload tools, equipment, dirt, gravel, clay and sand for project assignments

Regularly lift/carry 50 lbs. and occasionally lift carry 50+ lbs.

Work independently and/or as part of a team

Assist in installing, mulching, maintaining, and weeding plant and shrub beds, lawn areas, turf and walkways

Prune, fertilize, spray herbicides, apply pesticides, etc.

Plant Installation

Plant & Tree Pruning

Athletic field maintenance

Work is performed outside in all weather to include extreme temperatures

Perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described or less. Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on the current workloads and department needs.

Selected candidates must furnish and wear steel-toed safety boots.

Schedule & Locations

This position is a 7 day a week operation including early mornings, evening, weekend and holidays.

This position is primarily scheduled Monday -Friday, but will have occasional assignments that can include weekends and holidays.

Work schedules may be adjusted seasonally.

The individual selected for this position will be housed at a primary site but may be scheduled between other park sites/facilities. Schedules will be adjusted seasonally and will vary weekly based on events, facility coverage, and weather.  All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours, overtime, splits shifts or maybe be relocated to another location or job assignment in response to short- term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies including weekends, evenings and holidays.

Selected candidates must have a current and valid Virginia or North Carolina Driver’s License (a learner permit is not a valid driver’s license), pass a pre-employment physical and have a satisfactory background check.

Bonus Information

There is a $2,100 retention sign-on bonus for newly hired employees. The bonus is divided into three bonus increments:

-First $550 bonus is issued after the first three months of employment.

-Second $550 bonus issued upon the six month evaluation with an overall performance of “meets expectations”.

-Third $1,000 bonus will be issued upon on year evaluation with an overall performance of “meets expectations”.

Preferences

Candidates with the preferred experience should ensure the information is provided in the application.

1. Experience in grounds/landscape  maintenance

2. working outside in a physical trade such as grounds maintenance, park maintenance

3.Customer Service

4.HSD or GED and/or trade school related to horticulture of Landscape Maintenance

Please be sure to include all landscape and grounds maintenance experience, including any experience gained from performing landscaping, lawn care, or yard maintenance at home.

Department Starting Training-

As a condition of employment, all employees must attend P&R Connection (Department Orientation). If selected for the position, you will be provided an approximate training date at the time of hire. Training is held from 8:30am-5:00pm, every other Friday, at the Parks & Recreation Administration Building. When an exemption is permittable, a hybrid version of the training is available, but will require training attendance on a weekend.

Alpha I

The position you are applying for is designated as Alpha I, requiring the selected candidate to work, regardless of the City’s operational status. All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.

The Perks

Employees who are new to the Virginia Retirement System are eligible for:

Annual Leave and Sick Leave

Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Coverage

Legal and Identity Theft Protection

Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Hybrid Retirement Plan & Basic Life Insurance

Commonwealth of Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (COV457)

Basic Life Insurance

Optional Life Insurance

Wellness Programs

Employee Assistance Program / Work-Life Services

Paid Maternity/Paternity/Parental Care Leave

Additional requirements : • DMV Transcript: Yes • CDL: No • Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: No • CPS Check: No • Physical: Yes

• Respirator: No • Psychological Screening: No • Polygraph: No • At Will: No

Applicants will be reviewed and interviews will occur on an on-going basis until the closing of this requisition. If a qualified candidate is found prior to the closing date, this requisition will be closed.

Minimum Requirements :

Minimum Qualifications: Any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Must have a current and valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements: All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Must be available to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime when required to meet operational needs. Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the City’s operational status. This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to mandatory drug testing. Positive drug test results may result in counseling and/or discipline, up to and including, termination. Successful completion of a pre-employment physical. May require a Commercial driver’s license and/or pesticide certification.

Skills :

Working Conditions :

Per HR Policy 6.19, Americans with Disabilities, the City follows the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all hiring and employment decisions. The City shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices. The City shall make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability upon request unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the City’s business.

The Working Conditions Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the environmental conditions inherent in the job setting, as well as the physical, mental, and sensory requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the position in the noted job profile.  Please copy and paste the URL below into your web browser to view the Working Conditions Summary for this position.

https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/B.005600.pdf

Official Job Descriptions :

To browse official job descriptions, please access this link - https://virginiabeach.gov/careers/job-descriptions-pay-plans?search=&group=E

VRS Contribution : All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.

Drug Free Workplace : The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: The City of Virginia Beach is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status as defined by applicable law.