How To Become A Groundskeeper In The Us?

By Author: Kajal Walia
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If you want to know how to become a professional groundskeeper in the US and what kinds of skills, education, and training you required then you are at the right place as here in this article, you will get all your answers in detail.

Who is a groundskeeper?

A groundskeeper at the commercial or residential properties maintains lawns, grounds, and landscapes. They complete a number of job duties including growing plants, mowing and fertilizing grass, trimming trees and hedges, and planting different kinds of flowers and shrubs.

Every property needs a groundskeeper to look after their outdoor areas, so the job opportunities for experienced groundskeepers are plentiful in all seasons. They are responsible for maintaining outdoor gardens and lawns, and also, they are specialized in taking care of all types of grasses including synthetic grass called turf-grass.

What kinds of skills do you require to become an Entry-Level Groundskeeper?

Now let's take a closer look at the steps you can take to become eligible to apply for the entry-level groundskeeper jobs in the US.

If you want to become ...
... a private groundskeeper in the US then you must have the following skills:

Education: Pass your high school diploma or equivalent,
Degree Field: Landscape design, horticulture, and arboriculture
Licensure: it is required for pesticide and fertilizer use
Experience: No experience is required for the entry-level positions
Technical Skills: Experience with the latest machinery and tools like mowers, chainsaw, tractors, snowblowers, sod cutters, edgers, and soil pulverizers, knowledge of pesticides and fertilizers, etc.
How to become a professional full-time groundskeeper?

To become a professional full-time groundskeeper you should have good experience in the field. Also, it would be an additional benefit if you have passed your postsecondary education and have a license as most private companies give preference to those candidates who are well-educated and trained.

Don’t forget that only professionally trained and experienced groundskeepers get opportunities of getting full-time jobs at large commercial sites like malls, hospitals, stadiums, golf grounds, and companies.

Step – 01 Pass Your Postsecondary Education

If you want to become a full-time groundskeeper and seeking good opportunities in this field then you should consider doing postsecondary education. There are no formal education requirements to apply for private groundskeeper jobs, but some employers may prefer candidates who have passed out their postsecondary diploma or degree. During your postsecondary course, you will get a certificate in grounds maintenance, which typically includes coursework in equipment and tool repair, and plant and landscaping care. You will also learn to run different types of machines, sprinkler systems, including maintenance and services of equipment and tools. These postsecondary programs generally take one year or less to complete. Once you completed your post-secondary diploma, you will get better opportunities in the private sector like MNCs.

Step -02 Get License

To secure your job in the private sector as a full-time employee, you need to get a license. Not all private employers require a license, whereas, in some states it is required to hire the groundskeepers who use pesticides or chemicals to obtain licensure. The licensing requirement varies from state to state in the US, but generally includes knowledge of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides.

Do Multi-National Companies Require Groundskeepers?

Yes, large companies like MNCs often open the head groundskeeper jobs to handle their teams of many landscapers, and groundskeepers at their facilities. The career growth and exposure in large companies are always high. Therefore, for career security and stability, you should consider applying for groundskeeper jobs at multinational companies where you not only will get a good salary package but also get other job benefits like bank holidays, and paid leaves, etc.