Groundskeeper in Warrensburg, Missouri at Western Missouri Medical Center

PURPOSE STATEMENT

The Groundskeeper is responsible for maintaining the grounds, exterior areas, landscaping, parking areas, sidewalks, entrances, and related outdoor facilities for the hospital campus and designated nearby medical clinics. This position ensures that all exterior areas are safe, clean, attractive, accessible, and well maintained for patients, visitors, employees, physicians, emergency services, and the community. The Groundskeeper performs routine landscaping, mowing, trimming, snow and ice removal, litter removal, exterior maintenance, and other grounds-related duties. The position works closely with the Facilities team and may assist with general maintenance activities and special projects as assigned. The Groundskeeper will be expected to travel to other WMMC clinics as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & DUTIES

Grounds & Landscaping

• Maintain lawns, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs, flower beds, and other planted areas.
• Operate lawn mowers, string trimmers, edgers, blowers, hedge trimmers, and other grounds-maintenance equipment.
• Mow, trim, edge, aerate, seed, fertilize, and maintain turf areas as needed.
• Prune and maintain shrubs, bushes, trees, and ornamental plantings.
• Plant, transplant, water, and maintain seasonal flowers and landscaping.
• Remove weeds, leaves, branches, and other debris from grounds.
• Maintain appropriate appearance of hospital and clinic entrances and high-visibility areas.
• Assist with irrigation and sprinkler-system maintenance and report problems to Facilities leadership.
• Maintain drainage areas, landscaped beds, and other exterior features.

Snow & Ice Removal

• Perform snow and ice removal from sidewalks, entrances, parking areas, ramps, stairs, and other pedestrian-access areas.
• Operate snow blowers, snowplows, spreaders, and other equipment as assigned.
• Apply salt, sand, ice melt, or other approved materials.
• Monitor conditions during winter weather and respond to changing conditions as needed.
• Prioritize emergency entrances, patient entrances, accessible parking, sidewalks, and other critical areas.
• Maintain safe access to hospital and clinic buildings during inclement weather.

Exterior Safety & Appearance

• Conduct routine inspections of hospital and clinic grounds.
• Identify and report hazards such as damaged sidewalks, potholes, fallen limbs, standing water, unsafe landscaping, lighting concerns, or other exterior hazards.
• Remove trash, litter, branches, and other debris from exterior areas.
• Maintain cleanliness around entrances, parking lots, sidewalks, courtyards, and employee areas.
• Maintain outdoor furniture, benches, trash receptacles, signage, and other exterior amenities.
• Assist with maintaining accessible routes and ADA-related exterior areas.
• Ensure grounds do not create hazards for patients, visitors, staff, or emergency personnel.
• Report vandalism, damage, security concerns, or suspicious conditions to appropriate Facilities or Security personnel.

Hospital & Clinic Support

• Maintain grounds at the main hospital and assigned off-site medical clinics.
• Travel between hospital and clinic locations as necessary to complete assigned work.
• Coordinate work around patient-care activities, clinic hours, construction projects, deliveries, and special events.
• Maintain a professional and courteous presence when working around patients, visitors, physicians, and staff.
• Respond to Facilities work orders involving grounds and exterior areas.
• Assist other Facilities personnel with projects, repairs, moves, or other duties when needed.
• Support special events, seasonal activities, and hospital-community functions as assigned.

Equipment & Tools

• Operate groundskeeping vehicles, tractors, utility carts, trailers, and other equipment safely.
• Perform routine inspection and basic preventive maintenance of grounds equipment.
• Clean, lubricate, and maintain equipment according to manufacturer and Facilities requirements.
• Maintain an organized and secure equipment/storage area.
• Report equipment defects or repair needs promptly.
• Use tools and equipment in accordance with hospital safety procedures.

Hospital Safety and Compliance

The employee must take appropriate precautions when working near patient-care areas, entrances, emergency departments, ambulances, oxygen storage areas, medical-gas systems, construction zones, and other hospital-specific hazards.

The Groundskeeper is expected to follow all applicable hospital policies and procedures, including:

• Infection prevention and control practices applicable to grounds and Facilities operations.
• OSHA and workplace safety requirements.
• Hospital emergency-management procedures.
• Personal protective equipment requirements.
• Chemical handling and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) requirements.
• Hazard communication procedures.
• Environmental and waste-management requirements.
• Vehicle and equipment safety procedures.
• Patient, visitor, and employee privacy and confidentiality requirements.

COMMUNICATION & CUSTOMER SERVICE

• Demonstrate professional, respectful, and courteous behavior with patients, visitors, employees, physicians, vendors, and community members.
• Respond appropriately to requests and concerns regarding exterior grounds and facilities.
• Communicate safety hazards and maintenance concerns promptly to the Facilities Lead or Director.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding information encountered while working on hospital or clinic property.
• Represent the hospital positively through the appearance and condition of the campus and clinics.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

Successful performance in this position includes:

• Hospital and clinic grounds are consistently clean, safe, and well maintained.
• Critical pedestrian and vehicle access areas remain safe and accessible.
• Snow and ice hazards are addressed promptly.
• Landscaping is maintained according to seasonal requirements.
• Grounds equipment is properly operated and maintained.
• Safety hazards are identified and reported promptly.
• Work orders are completed accurately and timely.
• The employee demonstrates dependable attendance, teamwork, professionalism, and customer service.
• The employee contributes to a clean, welcoming, and safe healthcare environment.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance.
• Perform other essential duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• One or more years of commercial, institutional, healthcare, municipal, or large property groundskeeping experience preferred.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background check including MV records.
• Experience operating tractors, zero-turn mowers, snow-removal equipment, or similar equipment.
• Basic mechanical or equipment-maintenance skills.
• Experience with irrigation systems.
• Experience with landscaping, turf management, or tree/shrub maintenance.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Frequently stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, climb, and reach.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull equipment and materials.
• Work outdoors for extended periods in hot, cold, wet, and other adverse weather conditions.
• Operate powered equipment and hand tools.
• Safely navigate uneven terrain, sidewalks, parking areas, ramps, stairs, and landscaped areas.
• Lift and carry materials weighing approximately 50 pounds, with heavier items handled using appropriate equipment or assistance.
• Perform repetitive physical activities associated with mowing, trimming, shoveling, raking, snow removal, and landscaping Wear required personal protective equipment.
• Respond to facility emergencies and project-related issues as needed.
• Must be able to sit and stand, intermittent 8 to 10 hours a day.
• Continuously utilizes manual/bi-manual dexterity, near vision, speech, and hearing.
• Walk on uneven surfaces.

ON-CALL / WEATHER RESPONSE

Due to the nature of hospital operations, the Groundskeeper may be required to respond to urgent grounds-related needs outside of normal working hours, particularly during:

• Snow and ice events.
• Severe weather.
• Storm damage.
• Fallen trees or limbs.
• Flooding or drainage issues.
• Other conditions that may affect safe access to the hospital or medical clinics.
• Participation in assigned Facilities on-call, emergency response, or severe-weather rotation may be required.