GROUNDS WORKER (Competitive)

Code: 42744 State Competitive Range: A10 (FY 2027)

Salary: $41,070.21 - $59,026.81/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

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 of a Head Grounds Worker or other supervisory official in a state institution or department, does tasks involved in the maintenance of grounds; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Takes the lead in work involved in the maintenance of institutional grounds.
• Prepares soil and the seeds, rolls, cuts, weeds, waters, trims lawns.
• Sprays, prunes, and trims orchards and shrubs.
• Plants, transplants, and thins trees and shrubs.
• Removes dirt, rubbish, snow, leaves and other refuse and assists in the maintenance of roads, lawns, shed, benches, and parking areas.
• May plan the removal of snow and/or direct the operation of snow blowers and salt spreaders.
• Sees that the noncultivated areas are properly maintained.
• Provides assignments and instructions to employees and to patients and/or inmates assigned to grounds duties and supervises the performance of the work.
• Sees that equipment, materials, and supplies including tractors, grass cutters, scythes, hoes, rakes, sprinklers, garden house, cultivators, spades, sheers, spraying devices, fertilizers, seeders, and other garden and grounds keeping equipment and tools are used properly.
• Prepares requisitions for equipment, materials, and supplies and ensures these are safeguarded, stored, used, and recorded.
• May ensure the safety, custody, and progress of patients and/or inmates assigned to grounds work.
• Reports unusual occurrences and significant conditions in the buildings and on the grounds, and takes those steps required to ensure safe, orderly conditions.
• Reports on progress of individual patients and/or inmates as required, and prepares other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• May be required for short periods to perform assigned duties within buildings.
• May be required to undergo fire training classes (in the Department of Human Services).
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

One (1) year of experience in the performance of semiskilled grounds keeping work.

License

Appointees may be required to obtain a NJ Certified Pesticide Applicator's or Operator's Permit in the required categories.

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 essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of methods used to plan, lay out and perform lawn and grounds maintenance work.
• Ability to take the lead in the work involved in laying out flower beds and directing preparation of soil, planting of seeds, weeding and thinning of bedding stock, and production of flowers for cutting purposes.
• Ability to perform the tasks necessary for the propagation of trees, shrubbery, and perennial plants, and to direct the pruning of trees and shrubs, weeding, mowing of lawns, and trimming of hedges.
• Ability to properly use equipment, materials, tools, and supplies, and to train patients and inmates in their proper handling and maintenance.
• Ability to take the measures required to ensure safety and custody of patients and inmates assigned to grounds keeping work, to recognize suspicious and/or dangerous situations and occurrences, and to take necessary measures to secure safe, orderly conditions.
• Ability to requisition, safeguard, store, and record equipment, tools, materials, and supplies.
• Ability to prepare reports and maintain records.
• Ability to learn 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 or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of the position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODES: 09/A10 - MCK 03/03/05

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.