Landscape Technician

Working Schedule
 
Landscape Technicians usually work full-time, sometimes on a seasonal basis since there is less to do during winter months in many states. 
 
Typical Duties

• Work outside on public or private grounds
• Plant different shrubs, plants, and flower types in prearranged patterns
• Pull weeds from the soil where shrubs, plants, and flowers are growing
• Water, fertilize, and trim shrubs and other planted items
• Spray pesticides as applicable 
• Mow and edge lawn areas 
• Keep lawns and gardens watered using sprinkler systems
• Plant small trees and build supports to keep them upright, if needed
• Check trees for health and signs of disease or rot; trim and remove limbs as needed
• Rake and blow leaves
• Tend to certain indoor plants at some job sites, such as malls
• Put down walkway, desk, or patio materials
• Drive trucks to haul equipment to job sites; drive small vehicles around job sites
• Help decorate garden or fountain areas with stones and sculptures
• Assist with installation of sprinkler or lighting systems, as needed
• Light painting work

Additional Responsibilities

• Wear all personal protective equipment; practice good safety procedures
• Maintain vehicles and tool/equipment inventories
• Ensure all necessary items are ready for the day’s work, including fuel for mowers
• Keep sidewalks or parking areas clear of debris 
• Remove snow from sidewalks during the winter
• Perform specialized duties for specific job locations such as athletic fields, golf courses, or cemeteries
• Special labor tasks may include putting up temporary fencing, turf maintenance, cutting trees with chainsaws, digging graves with a backhoe, pool maintenance, and more

Soft Skills

• Able to follow directions 
• Attention to detail and standards
• Customer service-oriented
• Fast reaction time
• Good hand-eye coordination
• Hand and finger dexterity
• Normal color vision
• Observant
• Patient 
• Safety-oriented
• Strength and stamina
• Strong listening skills
• Teamwork
• Time management 

Technical Skills

• Ability to understand design layouts
• Use of personal protective equipment, such as eye and hearing protection, gloves, steel-toed boots, or other mandated items
• Familiarity with applicable state and local safety standards
• Training for safe use of powered equipment and hand tools (including lawnmowers; electric or gas-powered weed trimmers; pruners, hedge cutters; spades, shovels, and other gardening tools)
• Knowledge of pesticide and fertilizer usage and safe handling
• Familiarity with sprinkler and lighting systems, as applicable
• Other specialized equipment usage, as dictated by the job 

Landscaping workers plant trees, flowers, and shrubs to create new outdoor spaces or upgrade existing ones. They also trim, fertilize, mulch, and water plants. Some grade and install lawns or construct hardscapes such as walkways, patios, and decks. Others help install lighting or sprinkler systems. Landscaping workers are employed in a variety of residential and commercial settings, such as homes, apartment buildings, office buildings, shopping malls, and hotels and motels.
 
Groundskeeping workers, also called groundskeepers, maintain grounds. They care for plants and trees, rake and mulch leaves, and clear snow from walkways. They work on athletic fields, golf courses, cemeteries, university campuses, and parks, as well as in many of the same settings that landscaping workers work. They also see to the proper upkeep of sidewalks, parking lots, fountains, fences, planters, and benches, as well as groundskeeping equipment.
 
Groundskeeping workers who care for athletic fields keep natural and artificial turf in top condition, mark out boundaries, and paint turf with team logos and names before events. They mow, water, fertilize, and aerate the fields regularly. They must ensure that the underlying soil on fields with natural turf has the composition required to allow proper drainage and to support the grass used on the field. In sports venues, they vacuum and disinfect synthetic turf to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and they remove the turf and replace the cushioning pad periodically.
 
Groundskeepers in parks and recreation facilities care for lawns, trees, and shrubs; maintain playgrounds; clean buildings; and keep parking lots, picnic areas, and other public spaces free of litter. They also may erect and dismantle snow fences and maintain swimming pools. These workers inspect buildings and equipment, make needed repairs, and keep everything freshly painted.
 
Some groundskeepers specialize in caring for cemeteries and memorial gardens. They dig graves to specified depths, generally using a backhoe. They mow grass regularly, apply fertilizers and other chemicals, prune shrubs and trees, plant flowers, and remove debris from graves.
 
Greenskeepers maintain golf courses. Their work is similar to that of groundskeepers, but they also periodically relocate holes on putting greens and maintain benches and tee markers along the course and provide more intense turf maintenance. In addition, greenskeepers keep canopies, benches, and tee markers repaired and freshly painted.
 
Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators apply herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides on plants or the soil to prevent or control weeds, insects, and diseases. Those who work for chemical lawn or tree service firms are more specialized, inspecting lawns for problems and applying fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals to stimulate growth and prevent or control weeds, diseases, or insect infestations.
 
Tree trimmers and pruners, also called arborists, cut away dead or excess branches from trees or shrubs to clear utility lines, roads, and sidewalks. Many of these workers strive to improve the appearance and health of trees and plants, and some specialize in diagnosing and treating tree diseases. Others specialize in pruning, trimming, and shaping ornamental trees and shrubs. Tree trimmers and pruners use chain saws, chippers, and stump grinders while on the job. When trimming near power lines, they usually work on truck-mounted lifts and use power pruners.

• Apartment complexes
• Educational institutions 
• Local and state government agencies
• Hotel chains
• Office buildings and parks
• Private residences
• Recreational establishments (amusement parks, athletic fields, golf courses)
• Self-employed (or owner of a landscaping service)
• Shopping malls

Landscape Technicians work hard and spend most of their days outside. They are exposed to heat and cold, sun, wind, and rain. Much of their time may be spent working alone, performing physically demanding tasks under deadlines so they can move on to the next task or job site. Despite the need to work efficiently, they are expected to maintain high standards. For this reason, they require patience and attention-to-detail, as well as the ability to work relatively quickly for hours on end. 
 
In terms of sacrifice, it is important to understand that Landscape Technicians are exposed to a number of workplace hazards. They often use dangerous tools while working through fatigue, boredom from repetition, and perhaps in inclement weather that may make hands or tools wet. This combination of factors can lead to injuries, unless workers wear proper protective gear, stay focused on safety, and are trained on proper tool and equipment usage. Hearing protection is an often overlooked element, as workers may operate or be near loud equipment. 
 
Another potential sacrifice is that work may be sporadic during winter months, when there is less to do or duties may change significantly (for instance, there may be snow removal required, or putting out holiday decorations versus mowing lawns or watering plants). 

Job growth is predicted to be very good, as homeowners and organizations look to spruce up older properties by investing in landscaping. Research indicates that young homeowners are seeking increased landscaping services, as well, as a way to protect the environment. Indeed there’s a trend towards “outdoor spaces” and “outdoor rooms” like covered decks or patios, which may require the skills of a Landscape Technician. 
 
In the business world, there is a current focus on both green initiatives and workplace wellness, which should keep landscapers busy as companies offer more outdoor areas to promote worker health and job satisfaction. Meanwhile, unpredictable national weather patterns can lead to unexpected shifts in work requirements, as snow storms, drought spells, or fires might disrupt the ability to perform typical duties. However, landscapers play a vital role in the cleanup efforts after such events. 
 
Many groundskeepers prefer to work in temperate regions where weather conditions may be less harsh, and there is steady work during all seasons. Of note is the fact that while the sector is growing, there aren’t enough workers to fill the gaps. According to the National Association of Landscape Professionals, 82% of company leaders are concerned about “the shortage of skilled labor” as a “major limiting factor for the industry.” 

Landscape Technicians don’t mind getting their hands dirty! They likely always enjoyed being outside, and aren’t afraid of manual labor. They love nature and have both the stamina and the patience to work outdoors for long periods of time—abilities they may have cultivated over years. 
 
They take the time to do their jobs correctly while still being efficient, because there is lots to get done and a limited amount of time to do it! Such time management skills may also have been learned from an early age. Groundskeepers practice good job site safety, which is a mindset perhaps gained via training when they were younger, working on family property or during jobs in high school. 
 
They may not be introverted, but are comfortable spending hours working on their own as part of a larger team sprawled out around the grounds being worked. They have a solid work ethic and are goal-oriented so they can stay on-task and keep things moving along!