NJ Civil Service Navigator

MAINTENANCE WORKER 3 GROUNDS

Code: 06732 Local Competitive

Career Family: MAINTENANCE WORKER

New Jersey treats Maintenance Worker 3 Grounds as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.

Eligibility comes down to 2 years of relevant experience.

How to apply

This title is filled by competitive examination.

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Where this title is used

Maintenance Worker 3 Grounds is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.

Check whether an employer is a civil service jurisdiction · How local civil service works

Pay ladder: Maintenance Worker series

  1. Maintenance Worker 2 — $38,641 – $55,448
  2. Maintenance Worker 1 — $40,322 – $57,949

Rungs are ordered by FY 2027 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, takes the lead over a team of grounds maintenance workers; performs more complex work in the care and maintenance of outdoor areas such as recreational areas, lawns, athletic fields and courts, and indoor/outdoor turf; operates a variety of equipment, tools, and machinery used to care for and maintain grounds; may function in an assistant supervisory capacity for a team of grounds maintenance workers; performs other related duties as required.

Examples of work

  • Takes the lead over a team of grounds maintenance workers.
  • Keeps lawns, gardens, parks, and other outside areas healthy and visually appealing.
  • Trims and cuts grass and hedges.
  • Operates equipment such as lawn mowers, weedwhackers, edgers, leaf blowers, snow blowers, hedge trimmers, and other equipment associated with ground maintenance and landscaping activities.
  • Performs minor maintenance on mowers and other equipment such as changing oil, lubricating parts, and adjusting parts.
  • Provides assignments, instruction, and guidance to maintenance staff.
  • Measures, grades, grooms, and marks athletic fields, recreational areas, and game areas.
  • Maintains the safety and cleanliness of grounds, including removing litter, sweeping walkways, raking leaves, spreading salt, and removing snow and ice.
  • Maintains the safety of playgrounds and recreational areas by filling holes, regrading ball fields, and keeping play areas free of debris and dangerous obstructions.
  • Makes minor repairs to recreational equipment such as goal posts, soccer nets, and other equipment.
  • Plants, waters, and maintains shrubs, trees, lawns, and flowers.
  • Sets up bleachers.
  • Sprays for weeds and insects using unrestricted chemicals.
  • Constructs, assembles, positions, and makes minor repairs to various playground, park, and sport equipment.
  • Paints signs, benches, tables, bleachers, and other items as required.
  • Maintains and makes minor repairs to hand tools, automotive, athletic, and mechanical equipment and facilities.
  • Mixes and pours cement, and rakes asphalt to repair and patch walks and/or recreational areas such as tennis courts.
  • Loads and unloads trucks.
  • May clean restrooms.
  • May function in an assistant supervisory capacity depending on the organizational structure of the hiring agency.
  • May install, maintain, and repair in-ground water irrigation systems.
  • Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

Two (2) years of experience in the care and maintenance of grounds.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

  • Knowledge of the procedures, materials, tools, and equipment used to care for and maintain grounds.
  • Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions applicable to groundskeeping and maintenance work.
  • Ability to perform a variety of indoor and outdoor manual labor tasks involved in the care and maintenance of grounds.
  • Ability to cut grass, rake leaves, and weed.
  • Ability to operate equipment and machinery used in maintaining grounds or turf.
  • Ability to perform preventative maintenance on equipment and tools.
  • Ability to provide basic instruction and guidance to staff.
  • Ability to take the lead over grounds and maintenance staff.
  • Ability to perform the more complicated and difficult tasks involved in grounds care and maintenance.
  • Ability to give, understand, and follow oral or written instructions.
  • Ability to plant and care for flowers, trees, and shrubs.
  • Ability to mark athletic fields and care for equipment, materials, and supplies.
  • Ability to sanitize and clean restrooms.
  • Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
  • Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
  • Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Appointees may be required to possess valid licensure as a Commercial Pesticide Applicator in one or more categories pertinent to the position. The appointing authority is responsible for certification and license verification.

Appointees may be required to obtain valid licensure and certification as a Commercial Pesticide Applicator in one or more categories pertinent to the position. Licensure and certification must be obtained within a specific timeframe designated by the appointing authority.

Appointees may be required to complete training and/or obtain valid certification as a Certified Fertilizer Applicator (CFA) or Trained Fertilizer Applicator (TFA) issued by Rutgers University. If pertinent to the position, certification must be obtained within a specific timeframe designated by the appointing authority.

Appointees may be required to possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated. The responsibility for ensuring that appointees possess the required motor vehicle license and applicable endorsement rests with the appointing authority.