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Youth Services Division

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Overview

Landscapers and groundskeepers plant and take care of flowers, lawns, shrubs, and trees.

Landscapers and groundskeepers water and mow lawns, trim plants, prune trees and shrubs, and rake leaves. They may plant trees, shrubs, lawns, and flowers and apply mulch, fertilizers, and pesticides.

Landscapers work on large properties, such as office buildings and shopping malls. They put in plants following plans drawn up by a landscape architect. Landscapers also work for residential customers. For these customers, landscapers terrace hillsides, build retaining walls, and spread rocks. Some landscapers are called lawn service workers. They specialize in maintaining lawns and shrubs. Others specialize by working for chemical lawn service firms. They inspect lawns for problems and apply chemicals. Some landscapers specialize in trimming trees. These workers are called pruners. They use ladders to reach trees, or climb trees using climbing belts and hooks.

Groundskeepers do routine or special types of maintenance for athletic fields, golf courses, cemetery grounds, or park and recreation facilities. They are often classified as either grounds managers or grounds maintenance personnel. They maintain a variety of facilities. These include athletic fields, golf courses, cemeteries, university campuses, and parks. Grounds managers have more knowledge of plants, landscape design, pest management, irrigation, and erosion control than maintenance personnel. They also have supervisory duties. Groundskeepers in parks and recreation facilities care for plants, maintain playgrounds and athletic fields, clean buildings, and pick up litter. In the winter, particularly in the North, groundskeepers may remove snow from driveways, roadways, walkways, and parking lots.

Landscapers and groundskeepers use hand tools such as shovels, pruning saws, hedge and brush trimmers, axes, rakes, and saws. They also use power lawnmowers, snow blowers, electric clippers, and chain saws. They may make minor repairs to power equipment.

Work Activities

The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.

• Plant flowers. Dig holes, add fertilizer, and plant trees and shrubs.
• Water and fertilize plants. Seed new lawns.
• Mow lawns.
• Clean and maintain hand tools and power equipment.
• Operate power equipment, such as lawn mowers and hedge trimmers.
• Maintain outdoor recreation equipment and swimming pools.
• Remove snow and ice.
• Prune trees and shrubs. Trim back flowers and weed flower beds.
• Climb trees using ladders or climbing hooks and belts.
• Mix and apply pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and other chemicals.
• Follow plans from landscape architect or directions from home owner when adding new plants.

People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to many occupations.

• Perform activities that use the whole body.
• Handle and move objects.
• Control machines and processes.
• Get information needed to do the job.
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed.
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people.
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings.
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment.
• Repair and maintain mechanical equipment.
• Identify objects, actions, and events.

Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

Interpersonal Relationships

• Have a low level of social interaction. They speak with supervisors or customers, but spend most of their time alone.
• Provide a service to others.
• Deal with customers.

Physical Work Conditions

• Often work outdoors.
• Are sometimes exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures while working outside.
• Are sometimes exposed to hazards that produce cuts, burns, and insect bites. The likelihood of even slight injury from this exposure is low.
• Are sometimes exposed to hazardous chemicals. The likelihood of even slight injury from this exposure is low if safety procedures are followed.
• Are often exposed to high places if working as a pruner. There is a medium risk of moderate injury if safety procedures are not followed.

Work Performance

• Must be exact in their work and be sure all details are done so that customers are happy with their work.

Hours/Travel

• May work part time or full time.
• May work less or be laid off during winter months.
• May travel from site to site.

Physical Demands

People in this career frequently:

• Use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Walk, stand, kneel, stoop, or crouch while tending plants.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Bend or twist the body.
• Climb ladders and keep their balance, if working as a pruner.

It is important for people in this career to be able to:

• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with the body or limbs.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting out of breath.
• Move arms and legs while remaining in one place.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:

• Quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Make fast, simple, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Coordinate arms and legs while the body is moving.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Keep or regain the body's balance.

Skills and Abilities

People in this career need to:

Communicate

• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and Problem Solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.

Use Math and Science

• Use math skills to solve problems.

Work with Things

• Operate and control equipment.
• Determine the tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Maintain equipment on a routine basis. Determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.  

Knowledge

People in this career need knowledge in the following areas:

• Mechanical: Knowledge of designing, using, and repairing machines and tools.
• Chemistry: Knowledge of the properties of substances and the changes that occur when they interact.
• Biology: Knowledge of plants, animals, and living organisms and how they function.

Interests

People in this career are people who tend to:

• Consider relationships important. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people. They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
• Have realistic interests. They like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like to work with plants, animals, and physical materials such as wood, tools, and machinery. They often prefer to work outside.

Preparation

To work as a landscaper or groundskeeper, you must:

complete on-the-job training;
have a driver¿s license if you need to drive a truck; and
be in good physical condition.

On-the-job Training

Most landscapers and groundskeepers learn their skills on the job from an experienced worker. Training includes:

proper use and maintenance of equipment such as mowers and trimmers;
safety procedures; and
customer service.

As a trainee, you usually begin as a helper and load and unload supplies. You work on more difficult tasks as you gain experience.

Helpful High School Courses

A high school degree is almost always required to work in this occupation. You should take courses in high school that prepare you to earn a high school diploma. This includes courses in English, math, science, and social studies. You also need to take courses in physical education, health, and applied art or second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this specific occupation. While you do not have to take all of them, you should consider them in planning for high school. Some of these courses are also available at colleges and technical schools.

Construction Trades
Exploration of Construction Careers
Construction
Construction Trades Work Experience

English Language and Literature
Reading

Health and Safety Education
Safety and First Aid

Industrial and Technology Education
Exploration of Careers
General Industrial Arts
Industrial Safety and First Aid
Industrial and Technology Education Work Experience

Mathematics
Integrated Math
General Math
Applied Math
Pre-Algebra
Algebra

Physical Education
Physical Education
Fitness and Conditioning Activities

Hiring Practices

Employers prefer applicants who have a good driving record. Experience driving a truck is also helpful. Some employers require applicants to have a high school degree or GED.

Workers who deal directly with customers must get along well with people. Employers also look for responsible, self-motivated workers. This is because many landscapers and groundskeepers work alone.

Licensing / Certification

No State of North Carolina license requirements are found for this career.

Wages

Nationally, the median wage for landscapers and groundskeepers varies by the type of work they do. Wages for different types of workers are given below.

Wages vary by employer and area of the country.

Some landscapers and groundskeepers who work full time receive benefits. Typical benefits include health insurance and sick leave. Many landscapers and groundskeepers, however, must provide their own benefits.

Employment

Nationally, about 1,074,000 landscaping and groundskeeping laborers work in this large occupation. An additional 59,000 tree trimmers and 27,000 pesticide sprayers work in this occupation.

Major employers:

Landscaping and horticultural services
Amusement parks and golf courses
Local government agencies (parks and recreation departments)

About 25 percent of all landscapers and groundskeepers are self-employed.

Outlook

In North Carolina, employment for landscapers and groundskeepers is expected to grow faster than average through 2012.

Nationally, the number of jobs for both landscaping and groundskeeping laborers is expected to grow faster than average through the year 2012. Average growth is expected for pesticide sprayers and tree trimmers.

Increased construction of malls, office buildings, and homes will create new demand for landscaping. In addition, existing landscaping will need continued maintenance and updating. The turnover rate for these workers is high because the pay is low and the work is physically demanding. A large number of jobs will open to replace those who retire or leave the occupation.

Advancement Opportunities

Laborers who demonstrate good communication and technical skills may advance to crew leader or other supervisory positions. Supervisors can advance to grounds manager or facility superintendent. Courses in agronomy, horticulture, and botany are helpful for advancement. Supervisors can also become managers of lawn maintenance firms. Some landscapers and groundskeepers open their own businesses.

Please see Landscaping Courses.

For More Information Contact:

The Prosperity Christian Resource

and

Community Housing Development Center, Inc.

P. O. Box 2683, Reidsville, NC 27323
Tel: (336) 361 - 4066
FAX: (336) 348 - 1802
E-mail: webmaster@theprosperitycenter.com

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The Prosperity Christian Resource and Community Housing Development Center, Inc.
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