Groundskeeper I

Are you someone who loves working outdoors, takes pride in creating beautiful landscapes, and enjoys keeping things running smoothly? Catlin Gabel School is looking for a dedicated Groundskeeper I to help maintain our stunning 67-acre campus — a place where nature and education thrive together.

As a key member of our Facilities/Grounds team, you'll be hands-on with everything from mowing lush lawns and maintaining athletic fields to pruning gardens, managing irrigation, and keeping walkways safe in all seasons. Whether it's clearing snow in the winter, planting in the spring, or keeping the grounds safe and welcoming year-round, your work will have a real impact on our community.

Hourly Wage= $24-$28/hour

Application Requirements:

• Resume
• Cover letter regarding your interest in this role and what draws you to Catlin Gabel School

Essential Duties:

• The primary focus of this position is grounds maintenance with emphasis on beds, mowing, arbor care, irrigation, roofs and gutters, and hard surfaces maintenance on the campus.     

• Perform routine grounds maintenance tasks safely and in a timely manner.  

• Effectively and safely operate and maintain tools and equipment of the landscape trade, including but not limited to snow removal equipment, tractors, mowers, golf carts. Use personal protective equipment. 

• Maintain accurate and timely reports and records of maintenance projects completed. 

• Monitor irrigation schedules, watering requirements, and assist in maintenance of irrigation systems. 

• Clear hard surfaces including pavement, sidewalks, and roofs in all weather and include clearing debris, snow, and ice 

• Drives vehicles between campus areas.  

• Create a positive experience for the community through professional, courteous behavior and creative problem resolution 

• Work cooperatively within the Grounds team and as a member of the Facilities team 

• Regular and consistent attendance is required 

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED, some training in landscaping desirable 

• At least one year of experience in the landscaping trade 

• Must possess a valid Oregon Driver’s License and have safe driving record to meet school standards 

• Employment for this position is contingent upon successfully passing a post-offer, pre-employment physical examination to ensure the candidate can safely perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Other Responsibilities:

• Participate in ongoing professional development and training to support Catlin Gabel mission 

• Complete other work as assigned by the Grounds Supervisor 

• Attending departmental and schoolwide employee meetings. 

Interpersonal Contacts:

• Interacts daily with facilities team and frequent contact with faculty, staff and students, with occasional contact with visitors.

Competencies:

• Adaptability & Problem-Solving: Ability to adjust to new situations and challenges, analyze problems, and implement effective solutions in dynamic environments.
• Communication & Teamwork: Skilled in conveying information clearly and effectively, fostering collaboration, and working as part of a team to achieve shared goals.
• Organization & Time Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage resources, and handle multiple responsibilities efficiently.
• Cultural Awareness & Crisis Management: Demonstrates sensitivity to diverse perspectives and backgrounds, while maintaining composure and effective leadership during emergencies.
• Willingness to Learn: is open to continuous learning and personal development.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

The requirements listed below are representative of physical requirements and may not be all-encompassing. Incumbents must be able to perform job duties with or without accommodations.

• Frequent operation of machinery such as lawnmowers, leaf blowers, tractors, etc. 

• Requires mobility to transverse campus either by foot or mobilized machine 

• This includes moving up and down stairs or hills between facilities multiple times throughout the workday 

• Frequent lifting and moving of materials up to 60 lbs. related to machinery, landscaping (e.g. pruned branches, bushes, mowed grass, etc.), fencing 

• Works in varying degrees of noise and temperature 

• Frequent bending, squatting, stooping, climbing and kneeling 

• Must be able to follow guidelines for safety and use protective equipment as necessary. 

Schedule:

• This position is year-round, full-time, 40 hours a week.
• Specific days and hours will be determined by the Grounds Supervisor.
• Requires occasional mandatory evening and weekend overtime work. 
• This position requires the ability to adapt readily to constantly shifting work scenarios within tight timelines and multiple constraints.
• All Facilities/Grounds team members are considered essential staff and are expected to respond to emergencies and inclement weather conditions.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Catlin Gabel is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from people of color, LGBTQ candidates, and individuals from historically underrepresented communities in independent schools. We believe in creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all members of our community.

Timeline:

• Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

• The tentative start date for this position is by the end of April.

Salary : $24 - $28