California CareerZone - Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers (37-3011.00)

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

Job Definition: 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.

Job Zone

Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed

These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Some may require a formal training course to obtain a license.

Interests: Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.; Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.; Artistic - Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Knowledge: Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Skills: Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.; Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.; Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.; Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.; Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.; Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.; Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Tasks: Plan and cultivate lawns and gardens.; Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.; Install rock gardens, ponds, decks, drainage systems, irrigation systems, retaining walls, fences, planters, and/or playground equipment.; Mark design boundaries, and paint natural and artificial turf fields with team logos and names before events.; Build forms, and mix and pour cement to form garden borders.; Maintain irrigation systems, including winterizing the systems and starting them up in spring.; Care for natural turf fields, making sure the underlying soil has the required composition to allow proper drainage and to support the grasses used on the fields.; Use irrigation methods to adjust the amount of water consumption and to prevent waste.; Haul or spread topsoil, and spread straw over seeded soil to hold soil in place.; Advise customers on plant selection and care.; Care for artificial turf fields, periodically removing the turf and replacing cushioning pads, and vacuuming and disinfecting the turf after use to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.; Prune and trim trees, shrubs, and hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.; Gather and remove litter.; Maintain and repair tools, equipment, and structures such as buildings, greenhouses, fences, and benches, using hand and power tools.; Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, and trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.

Wages

In 2008, the California average annual wage was $26,800.00.

Most people employed in this occupation were paid between $17,920.00 and $40,430.00.

Outlook: During 2006, there were approximately 166,000 people employed in this field in California. It is projected that there will be 194,500 employed in 2016. This occupation will have about 2,850 openings due to growth and about 2,190 replacement openings for approximately 5,040 total annual openings. This occupation .

Colleges and Training: There are currently no programs listed for this occupation.

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