Grounds Maintenance Laborer

Tasks

• Operate vehicles and powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chain saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, and pruning saws.
• Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.
• Shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots and spread salt in those areas.
• Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls.
• Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
• Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
• Gather and remove litter.
• Maintain or repair tools, equipment, or structures, such as buildings, greenhouses, fences, or benches, using hand or power tools.
• Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
• Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, burial sites, or other grounds features.

Abilities

• Arm-Hand Steadiness – The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• Multilimb Coordination – The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
• Control Precision – The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
• Manual Dexterity – The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
• Near Vision – The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Oral Comprehension – The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Static Strength – The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
• Extent Flexibility – The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
• Speech Recognition – The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Oral Expression – The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Work Context

• Outdoors, Exposed to Weather – How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets – How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
• Face-to-Face Discussions – How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
• Exposed to Contaminants – How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls – How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
• Very Hot or Cold Temperatures – How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
• Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable – How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
• In an Open Vehicle or Equipment – How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or equipment (e.g., tractor)?
• Spend Time Standing – How much does this job require standing?
• Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings – How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

Work Styles

• Dependability – Job requires being present, reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Independence – Job requires developing one’s own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
• Attention to Detail – Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Cooperation – Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Concern for Others – Job requires being sensitive to others’ needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Initiative – Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Self Control – Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Persistence – Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Innovation – Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
• Integrity – Job requires being honest and ethical.

Work Values

• Relationships – Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
• Working Conditions – Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
• Support – Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.