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Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

SOC 37-3011.00Job Zone 2 · Some Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers outdoor landscaping and groundskeeping work performed on residential, commercial, and institutional properties, spanning hand and power tool operation, turf and plant care, chemical application, crew leadership, and client service.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Litter and debris — gather and remove from assigned grounds areas under direct supervisor guidance on a commercial or residential property.
  2. Basic hand tools such as rakes, shovels, and brooms — identify and use safely under close supervision during routine site cleanup tasks.
  3. Portable sprinkler systems and watering cans — apply water to lawns, trees, and plants following a supervisor's step-by-step watering schedule.
  4. Ride-on mowers and walk-behind equipment — operate at a basic level under direct oversight on open turf areas with minimal obstacles.
  5. Mulch and edging materials — place and spread around flower beds and walkways according to verbal instructions from a lead worker.
  6. Pruning shears and hedge trimmers — use to trim low shrubs and hedges under close supervision, following demonstrated techniques.
  7. Fertilizer spreaders — load and push along designated turf areas under direct instruction on a supervised groundskeeping crew.
  8. Landscaping design plans — read and interpret simple diagrams to determine sod placement or planting locations with supervisor assistance.
  9. Personal protective equipment including gloves, eye protection, and steel-toed boots — select and wear correctly before beginning any outdoor grounds task.
  10. Workplace safety protocols — follow established hazard-awareness procedures and report unsafe conditions to a supervisor on an active grounds site.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Litter collection and waste disposal routines — execute independently and consistently across multiple zones of a large commercial or institutional property.
  2. Hand tools including pruning saws, axes, and loppers — select and use appropriately for the task at hand with reduced oversight during seasonal maintenance cycles.
  3. Powered equipment such as chainsaws, sod cutters, and snow blowers — operate safely and efficiently across varied terrain with minimal direct supervision.
  4. Irrigation hoses and portable sprinkler systems — adjust water pressure, coverage, and timing to match plant needs in different landscape zones.
  5. Trees, shrubs, and hedges — prune and trim to maintain intended shape and promote healthy growth using shears and chain saws on established client sites.
  6. Fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides — mix and apply using hand or automatic sprayers at correct concentrations following label instructions and safety guidelines.
  7. Lawn aeration, thatch removal, and weeding — perform as part of a recurring lawn care program to maintain turf health on residential or commercial grounds.
  8. Sod, grass seed, and bedding plants — install according to a landscaping design plan with limited direction, ensuring correct spacing and soil preparation.
  9. Work schedules and task checklists — manage personal daily workload across multiple properties, communicating progress and issues to a supervisor via email or verbal updates.
  10. Client service interactions — respond courteously and professionally to property owner questions or requests encountered during routine grounds maintenance visits.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex debris and erosion problems — assess and remediate across large or difficult terrain, selecting the most effective removal methods without supervisory input.
  2. Full range of hand and power tools — maintain, troubleshoot, and deploy across all landscape task types, adapting technique to non-routine site conditions autonomously.
  3. Heavy powered equipment including tractors and twin-axle vehicles — operate proficiently across diverse property types, adjusting settings for slope, soil, and seasonal conditions.
  4. Irrigation system performance — evaluate coverage, identify blockages or inefficiencies, and modify watering schedules to optimize plant health across an entire property portfolio.
  5. Advanced pruning of mature trees and large hedgerows — execute safely using chain saws and elevated equipment, making sound horticultural judgments independently.
  6. Integrated pest and weed management programs — design and carry out fertilizer, herbicide, and insecticide application schedules appropriate to specific turf and plant conditions.
  7. Comprehensive lawn renovation — plan and execute aeration, overseeding, dethatching, and edging cycles tailored to seasonal conditions and specific turf species.
  8. Landscaping installation projects — lead execution of full planting and sod-laying plans from site preparation through final inspection, ensuring design fidelity.
  9. Grounds maintenance records and service logs — compile and maintain accurate documentation of treatments, equipment usage, and site observations using office software tools.
  10. Unusual plant health or site hazard situations — identify root causes, apply problem-solving skills, and implement corrective actions without escalating to management.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Grounds maintenance programs for multi-site portfolios — design, schedule, and oversee seasonal workflows ensuring quality standards are met across all properties.
  2. Crew training and on-boarding — develop and deliver hands-on instruction in safe tool and equipment operation for new and less experienced groundskeeping workers.
  3. Equipment fleet management — establish preventive maintenance schedules, coordinate repairs, and make procurement recommendations to optimize reliability and cost efficiency.
  4. Landscape design plans and client briefs — collaborate with clients and designers to translate project goals into actionable installation and maintenance specifications.
  5. Pesticide, fertilizer, and irrigation programs — set organizational standards for chemical application safety, compliance with regulations, and environmental stewardship across all crews.
  6. Performance standards and quality benchmarks — establish measurable expectations for lawn health, plant appearance, and site cleanliness and audit outcomes across the operation.
  7. Safety culture and hazard prevention — lead the development and enforcement of site safety protocols, conducting regular risk assessments and corrective training.
  8. Budget planning for grounds operations — forecast labor, material, and equipment costs, track expenditures, and recommend resource adjustments to management.
  9. Client and stakeholder relationships — manage ongoing communication with property managers and clients, resolving service concerns and identifying opportunities for expanded scope.
  10. Organizational knowledge transfer — mentor senior workers toward leadership roles and document best-practice procedures to sustain institutional knowledge within the grounds team.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

The Anthropic Economic Index (2026-03-24 release) doesn't show enough AI-assisted task observations for this occupation to anchor an AI-at-Work Competency Framework yet. Most physical and on-site occupations land here today; that signal may rise as more workers in this field adopt AI tools.

Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Show O*NET source anchors33 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Landscape Gardener · Landscape Technician · Athletic Field Custodian · Bonsai Tender · Brush Cutter · Caretaker · Cemetery Keeper · Cemetery Laborer · Cemetery Warden · Cemetery Worker · Equipment Operator · Flower Picker
RAPIDS apprenticeships
0099 · Landscape Gardener · 0189 · Landscape Technician
O*NET skills
Operation and Control
Knowledge domains
English LanguageCustomer and Personal Service
Abilities
Multilimb CoordinationManual DexterityTrunk StrengthExtent FlexibilityArm-Hand SteadinessControl PrecisionStatic StrengthStaminaNear VisionProblem Sensitivity
Work styles
DependabilityAttention to DetailPerseveranceCautiousnessIntegrityCooperation
Technology
Web page creation and editing softwareElectronic mail softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareOperating system softwareWord processing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Gather and remove litter.
  2. Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
  3. Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
  4. Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.
  5. Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
  6. Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
  7. Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls.
  8. Follow planned landscaping designs to determine where to lay sod, sow grass, or plant flowers or foliage.
CIP education codes
01.060101.060301.060401.060501.060601.060731.0302

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.