Groundskeeper (2026-2027)

Job Title: Groundskeeper

Wage/Hour Status: Non- Exempt

Reports to: Grounds Foreman or Maintenance Director

Pay Grade: Auxiliary

Dept./School: Maintenance and Operations

Initiated Date: May 2025

WHO WE ARE

La Joya Independent School District (ISD) is committed to excellence for students and our community. We have a strong, 100-year legacy in the Rio Grande Valley. The district's vision - Educational Excellence: The Right of Every Student - conveys our urgent focus on students.

Our work is rooted in five district priorities, which require collaboration and deep commitment to supporting one another as we serve the community.

• Customer Service
• Trust & Transparency
• High-Quality Instruction
• Excellence in Leadership
• Integrity & Accountability

We are focused on ensuring every student in La Joya ISD has access to a high-quality, best-fit school as we work to improve from a B-district to an A-rated district. We serve more than 22,000 students in more than 30 schools and span six municipalities, covering more than 220 square miles.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a reliable and safety-focused Groundskeeper to help maintain the beauty, cleanliness, and functionality of our district's exterior environments. This individual plays a vital role in ensuring our schools, playgrounds, athletic fields, and common areas are safe, presentable, and aligned with the district's operational standards.

WHY LA JOYA ISD

You will be joining a district that is building on a legacy of achievement while rapidly improving and creating systems to reach new heights for student outcomes. You will receive intentional, targeted support in your leadership journey and have access to the highest-quality, research-based resources and instructional materials. We are also a district focused on continuous improvement and rigorous analysis of where we need to grow and learn.

Primary Purpose:

Maintain all outdoor grounds and landscaping at La Joya ISD campuses and facilities, including athletic fields, irrigation systems, and district green spaces, in a manner that promotes student safety, school pride, and community excellence.

Minimum Required Qualifications

Education/Certification:

• High School Diploma or GED preferred
• Valid Texas driver's license required

Experience:

• Experience in grounds maintenance or landscaping preferred
• Experience working in a public school or similar setting is a plus

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions
• Skill in operating mowers, tractors, trimmers, blowers, and power-driven equipment
• Basic understanding of landscaping, lawn care, and irrigation systems
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and communicate effectively

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Grounds Maintenance & Landscaping:

• Mow, trim, edge, weed, and maintain all district lawns, playgrounds, and green spaces
• Maintain flower beds, trees, shrubs, and decorative landscaping through watering, pruning, mulching, and fertilizing
• Plant and replace trees, flowers, and shrubs as directed
• Remove litter, leaves, and debris from district properties
• Prepare and maintain athletic fields for school events, including field lining, aeration, and drainage
• Assist with installing and maintaining irrigation and sprinkler systems

Safety & Equipment Maintenance:

• Operate all tools and equipment in accordance with safety procedures
• Inspect, clean, and perform routine maintenance on equipment and tools to ensure safe operation
• Identify and report safety hazards and correct unsafe conditions promptly
• Follow district protocols for use of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers

Additional Responsibilities:

• Transport tools, materials, and workers to assigned job sites
• Respond to weather-related or emergency work (e.g., fallen trees, storm damage, freeze prep)
• Participate in department training and meetings as assigned
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Grounds Foreman or Maintenance Director

Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Personal Work Relationships:

All La Joya ISD employees are expected to:

• Uphold the mission and values of the district
• Demonstrate professionalism and integrity
• Work respectfully and collaboratively with coworkers and campus personnel
• Maintain a service-first attitude and contribute positively to team culture

Travel Requirements:

• Frequent district wide travel between campuses and facilities

Physical & Environmental Demands

• Tools/Equipment Used:

Hand tools, power tools, lawnmowers, weed trimmers, blowers, tractors, trucks, and other landscaping equipment

• Posture & Motion:

Frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing, reaching, and lifting

• Lifting:

Occasional heavy lifting (45 lbs. or more)

• Environment:

Work outdoors in all weather conditions; exposure to loud noise, dust, chemicals, and uneven surfaces

• Mental Demands:

Maintain emotional control under stress; work independently and manage changing priorities

POSITION WORKING DAYS

240

COMPENSATION

Based on the pay plan

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive description of all work requirements and responsibilities, and management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other responsibilities be performed when the job changes. Additionally, the minimum level of education notated as a requirement could be supplemented by commensurate experience and/or certification(s) or license(s) as determined by the hiring manager.