Groundskeeper - Goodwin Living

Celebrated as the #2 Top Workplace in the D.C. region for 2024 by The Washington Post, Goodwin Living is more than a team – it's a global family of individuals who represent more than 65 countries.

Goodwin Living ranks #2 thanks to team members who respond to an annual survey conducted by a neutral, third-party resource. Here are some reasons they honor us with this ranking:

• Embracing Diversity: Our strength is in our diverse team from over 65 countries, fostering an inclusive and vibrant culture that values every voice. 
• Growth and Opportunities: We bolster personal and professional development, offering myriad opportunities, from on-the-job training to mentorship programs and financial support, to help you reach your full potential. 
• Valuing Our Team Members: By prioritizing team member satisfaction, we create a fulfilling work environment with competitive benefits, work-life balance, and recognition programs, ensuring our team feels appreciated and value

About the Position

Primarily responsible for the full hands-on grounds maintenance of the Goodwin House Alexandria campus. Also assist with responding to inclement weather needs.

Job Duties:

• Work with the resident Grounds and Landscape Committee (GC) and, when appropriate, with contractors to plan and implement enhancements to the planted and hardscape areas.
• Monitor the grounds at least every other day to identify problems with plantings and hardscape and take appropriate steps to fix them or have others fix them, e.g., other GHA team members or contractors. Monitor for diseases and pests, and take care of necessary weeding, adequate watering, and repairing damage to features of the hardscape.
• Participate with the Resident Grounds Committee to purchase and install (or help install) shrubs and trees as well as spring/summer and fall/winter annual planting beds and pots to maintain attractive gardens and pots.
• Monitor and enforce contracted services of grounds/landscaping to ensure contract requirements are fulfilled.
• Work in gardens daily as weather permits, planting, weeding, deadheading, adding mulch, watering as necessary, pruning and trimming shrubs and trees etc. as needed.
• Operate, troubleshoot and maintain campus irrigation system and sprinkler heads, recommending contractor resources as needed.
• Patrol Fillmore Avenue, visitor and employee areas of the parking lots and the grounds for trash or debris. As often as required empty exterior trash cans and ensure that dog waste bag holders are filled.
• Assist residents and the Grounds Committee with special garden projects. Purchase supplies (potting soil, mulch and hoses) for residents’ garden box use, for the exterior pots and for installing new plantings in the gardens. On a regular basis, empty the compost bins of dirt for residents’ use.
• Serve as staff liaison to the resident Grounds and Landscape Committee. Attend the monthly meetings and support the Grounds Committees projects and requests. Effectively communicate updates and follow-through on actions.
• During periods of inclement weather, work on other projects as assigned by the Director.
• Provide emergency back-up support to Facilities Management as needed

Qualifications:

• Two years’ minimum experience required in grounds keeping, landscaping, hardscaping, etc.
• Knowledge required through training or experience of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers and various products used in grounds maintenance.
• Must possess a customer-oriented approach to dealing tactfully with residents, team members, visitors and guests.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record.
• Experience with commercial property snow-removal and other inclement weather response preferred.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills required. Ability to also speak Spanish is desirable.

A sampling of our many benefits!

We’ve got you covered with incredible benefits, whether you work full-time, part-time, or PRN (as needed). Here’s a glimpse of what we offer to Full-Time team members:

• Paid Time Off
• Health Insurance
• DailyPay: Work and get paid the same day!
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Tuition Assistance for Career Development
• Financial assistance with U.S. Citizenship application or DACA Renewal
• Tutoring for ESL, Citizenship Test & GED
• Staff Emergency Grants
• Free Meals, Access to a Fitness Center, Pool, and More

About Goodwin Living

At Goodwin Living, we can all find work with purpose! As a nonprofit senior living and healthcare organization based in Alexandria, Virginia, we are driven by our mission: to support, honor and uplift the lives of older adults and those who care for them. Our commitment to our team members is written directly into that statement. We create an enriching and supportive work environment that has inspired our team members to vote us into the Washington Post Top Workplace rankings since 2019, and they made us #2 in 2024!

Goodwin Living is an Equal Opportunity Employer and an AARP Employer Pledge Signer. We take pride in our inclusive work culture that values diversity and fosters talent. With us, you are more than just a team member; you are part of a community committed to excellence and continuous learning.