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Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

In the Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers occupation, workers landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Expect to mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers. Its interest code is RCA. Realistic leads at 7.0 out of 7, so expect hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, with Conventional next at 3.4. Plan on a few months to a year of learning on the job; O*NET labels this some preparation. Strength in operation and control, critical thinking, and speaking helps most here. You may also need to operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws. It tends to suit people who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, and it offers little for anyone seeking helping, teaching or caring for people.

What they do

Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.

Main tasks

  • Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.
  • Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
  • 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.
  • Trim or pick flowers and clean flower beds.

Skills

  • Operation and Control
  • Critical Thinking
  • Speaking
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Monitoring
  • Active Listening

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on operation and control and critical thinking.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You want helping people to be at the center of your work. Social rates 1.5 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCA takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Also called

  • Athletic Fieldskeeper
  • Greenskeeper
  • Grounds Maintenance Worker
  • Grounds Specialist
  • Groundskeeper

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.