What are the responsibilities and job description for the Groundskeeper II position at DPH-Western MA Hospital?
Western Massachusetts Hospital, part of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), is seeking a Groundskeeper to play an essential role in ensuring our hospital grounds are meticulously cared for year-round, from keeping flower beds vibrant and lawns well-groomed to managing snow removal for safe, accessible walkways in winter. Your work will contribute to an environment that offers comfort and peace to patients, visitors, and staff alike.
In addition to landscaping responsibilities, you will support various indoor maintenance projects alongside skilled trades professionals, adding diversity and growth to your day-to-day role. This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, collaborative setting, utilizing a range of skills to make a meaningful impact on the hospital environment. If you are passionate about hands-on work, have an eye for detail, and enjoy working in an essential role that brings beauty and functionality to our facility, this role could be a great fit for you.
Please note: The schedule for this position is Monday -Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with days off being Saturday and Sunday.
- Trim, prune, weed, cut and plant flowers, grass and brush, utilizing proper equipment and methods to ensure the beauty of the hospital grounds.
- Maintain upkeep of lawns through seeding, watering, weeding and fertilizing, by using the appropriate methods and materials, so that lawns are kept groomed and healthy.
- Participate in shoveling snow, sanding roads and walks and other tasks in connection with snow removal, by utilizing shovels, snowplows, sanders and other equipment or methods.
- Maintain cleanliness of grounds by performing duties such as picking up trash, emptying rubbish barrels, cigarette bins and cleaning drains, ditches or catch basins.
- Provide on-the-job training to assigned workers and monitors the activities of employees involved in grounds keeping work to ensure compliance with established standards.
- Make minor repairs to sidewalks, roadways and parking lots and clears them of snow and ice.
- Perform related duties such as emptying rubbish barrels; picking up trash; cleaning ditches, drains and catch basins on grounds or roadways, shoveling snow and raking/clearing leaves.
- Maintain and ensure operational readiness, of related equipment.
- Working knowledge of the care and maintenance of lawns and grounds.
- Ability to follow instructions.
- Capacity to lift and carry heavy objects.
- Willingness to work outdoors in all types of weather.
- Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others and exercise sound judgement.
DPH Mission and Vision:
The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to promote and protect health and wellness and prevent injury and illness for all people, prioritizing racial equity in health by improving equitable access to quality public health and health care services and partnering with communities most impacted by health inequities and structural racism.
We envision a Commonwealth with an equitable and just public health system that supports optimal well-being for all people in Massachusetts, centering those with systemically and culturally oppressed identities and circumstances.
Learn more and share a one-pager on DPH and what we do: DPH at a Glance PDF | Doc
- Cardiac and pulmonary disease
- Chronic neurological disorders
- Complications of strokes
- Dementia with major behavioral issues
- End stage terminal illnesses of various diagnoses
Learn more: https://www.mass.gov/locations/western-massachusetts-hospital
DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
Applicants must have at least (A) one year of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in landscaping, groundskeeping, park maintenance or tree maintenance work, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Substitutions: I. An Associate's or higher degree with a major in forestry, arboriculture, horticulture or landscape architecture may be substituted for the required experience.*
- Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
I. Possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
II. Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid appropriate hoisting license, issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety, may be required.
III. Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid pesticide applicator's certificate issued by the Pesticide Bureau, Department of Food and Agriculture, may be required.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!