Find The RightJob.

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Groundskeeper III

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional Title: Groundskeeper III
Job Title: Groundskeeper III
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: Plant Maintenance
Posting Number: 15228
Closing Date: 04/23/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
Salary Range: $3,047.58 - $4,149.83
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-A-12
Shift: Day
Additional Shift:
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 5%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
Facility Location: Vernon State Hospital
Job Location City: VERNON
Job Location Address: 4730 COLLEGE DR
Other Locations:
MOS Codes: 8000

Brief Job Description:

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Groundskeeper III performs complex (journey-level) groundskeeping work at a State Hospital. Maintains and improves the appearance of grounds and flower beds for the hospital, including mowing, weeding, fertilizing, and ensuring the effective operations of sprinkler systems. Removes, plants, and trims trees and shrubs. Safely and efficiently operates power- and gas-operated equipment. Ensures groundskeeping tools, supplies, and equipment are well maintained and accounted for. Performs minor repairs on equipment in accordance with training and skill level. Removes debris, trash, and obstructions from parking lots, roads, fences, and sidewalks. Assists in minimizing the presence and impact of nuisance animals at the hospital (e.g., snakes, rodents, feral cats). Performs some minor maintenance duties as needed in conjunction with maintenance staff. As needed, works some weekend and/or after-hours callouts to respond to situations impacting safe hospital operations. Works under general supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

This position may also be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Performs routine groundskeeping duties at the hospital including mowing, trimming, fertilizing, removing, and planting trees and shrubs, and planting new flowerbeds. Performs other types of groundskeeping work as directed. If the hospital has a cemetery, maintains cemetery grounds, sets head stones, excavates graves for funerals, and sets up casket devices and tents.

Performs litter control and trash pick-up. Moves dumpsters for commercial company trash pick-up. If licensed, mixes and sprays pesticides and herbicides, and treats for insects around buildings.

Uses gas- and power-operated tools to complete work safely and efficiently. Properly cleans and stores tools and other equipment after each use. Performs minor repairs and preventative maintenance on tools as needed and reports major issues to the supervisor. Completes tool inventory as required.

Follows the daily, weekly, and monthly scheduling of work in the groundskeeping department. Works as a team member with other groundskeepers. Reports any significant issues to the supervisor for handling.

Safely operates tractors with implements such as front-end loaders and backhoes for digging out tree stumps, cleaning up debris, moving large amounts of gravel, sand, mulch, and other landscaping materials, and helps dig out areas for tree planting or if there is a water line break.

Ensure roads, parking lots, and sidewalks are safe and free from debris. Works beyond normal duty hours during inclement weather to remove ice or snow from sidewalks, roadways, and clears debris from catch basins during heavy rain, as needed.

As instructed, safely and humanely traps and removes live animals, disposes appropriately of dead animals, and takes proactively measures to abate future issues.

Performs general maintenance, repairs, and construction work for the hospital in collaboration with maintenance staff commensurate with skills and abilities. Drives trucks (non-Commercial Driver License) as needed to haul needed materials and transport items.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge, skills, and ability to safely fell and remove large trees in and around buildings and other infrastructures.

Knowledge, skills, and ability associated with minimizing the presence of nuisance animals such as rodents, snakes, and feral cats.

Knowledge of groundskeeping tasks, terminology, and how to care for equipment.

Knowledge of safety practices related to working in groundskeeping.

Knowledge of how to operate groundskeeping equipment

Skills in safely operating power equipment such as mowers, power clippers, tractors, backhoes, and/or pruning shears, and a variety of hand and power tools used in construction/repair.

Ability to read, understand and apply a variety of inter-related instructions such as those found in guidelines, regulations, and policies.

Ability to perform basic mathematical computations.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to follow written and oral instructions.

Ability to stand/walk for extended period of time.

Ability to work in hot and/or cold conditions.

Ability to work harmoniously and productively with co-workers and patients.

Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.

Ability to stand, bend, or walk for long periods of time.

Ability to maintain and care for hand and power tools and equipment.

Ability to learn to detect diseases in plants and grasses.

Ability to learn basic knowledge of horticulture and to apply that to job duties.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Six (6) months’ experience as a laborer, farmer, gardener, florist helper, groundskeeper, or similar work involving general duties which may include the planting and maintenance of vegetation, landscaping, nursery inspections, or equivalent to a Groundskeeper.

Six (6) months’ experience as an operating power equipment (e.g., mowers, power clippers, tractors, chain saws, backhoes, pruning shears)

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.

Similar jobs

No similar jobs found

Term of use Privacy policy