Groundskeeper

Aloha mai! Mahalo for your interest in Kamehameha Schools. If you are looking for an opportunity to utilize your skills and talents and grow in your profession, while serving and strengthening our Native Hawaiian community, we would love to have you join our ʻohana!

About the role

Kamehameha Schools is seeking Groundskeepers to join the KS Kapalama Operations team. This is a regular, full-time position supporting the maintenance and beautification of our campus grounds. Tools, equipment, and PPE provided by Kamehameha Schools.

This mid-level position works with minimal direction and supervision to perform general and/or specialized grounds keeping and event set-up services. Performs work independently or with other Groundskeepers or Utility Workers in teams. May supervise the work of lower-level staff.

This is more than a job. It's an opportunity to learn the art and science of landscaping while preserving the beauty, safety, and functionality of the Kamehameha Schools Kapālama campus. Through hands-on training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities, you'll build skills in landscape management, equipment operation, plant health care, irrigation, and environmental stewardship, paving the way for a rewarding career in the green industry while supporting a purposeful educational mission for future generations.

Responsibilities

• Groundskeeping Services
  • Instructs others in proper risk assessment and safe work practices and technical use of equipment and chemicals.
  • Assesses and assembles materials and tools required for work to be performed efficiently and cost-effectively.
  • Prepares or instructs others to prepare work areas for work to be performed, and cleans or instructs others to clean work areas, machines, and equipment following work completion.
  • Works with others or independently performs general and specialized grounds keeping services.
• Safety
  • Attends all technical and safety training, including on-the-job training, uses all PPE, and adheres to safety guidance.
  • Assesses work to be performed in advance to identify work-related risks and implements proper mitigations to ensure safety.
  • May instruct others in proper risk assessment and workplace safety best practices.
  • Reports all safety hazards to supervisor and/or immediately corrects if able to.
• Administrative
  • Participates in campus and department events and activities as scheduled.
  • Constructively identifies and suggests ways to improve organizational effectiveness and operational efficiency.
  • Adheres to all employee handbook protocols and policies including mandatory reporting.

Requirements

• High school diploma.
• Minimum one (1) year of relevant experience in grounds keeping services.
• Basic computer knowledge.
• Good work ethic, including punctuality and good attendance.
• Positive attitude and willingness to continuously learn new skills and knowledge; ability to demonstrate increasing competence.
• Ability to train and instruct others.
• Ability to read and comprehend training materials and correctly instruct others.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow safety instructions and correctly instruct others.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work flexible schedules to accommodate after-hours school-related functions and activities.
• Demonstrated values of inclusion.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to provide current driving abstract.

Preferred Qualifications

• CDL License.
• 4-stroke small engine repair (preferred).
• 2-stroke small engine repair experience (preferred).
• Professional experience in the following areas:
  • Grounds maintenance using various hand tools and gas-powered landscape equipment.
  • New landscape installation.
  • Grading and planting.
  • Irrigation installation and repair.
  • Tree trimming and pruning.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Often requires physical work; lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling required of objects up to 50 pounds.
• Often requires walking/standing, bending/crouching/reaching/etc., and at times sitting.
• Manual dexterity and strength to work with hand tools.

Working Conditions

• Work may involve exposure to extreme temperatures and contact with hazardous materials, dust, dirt, smoke, unpleasant odors, loud noises, etc.
• Works in partnership and as a team with other Groundskeepers in performing a wide range of grounds keeping services.
• Often work outdoors and indoors.
• Work is typically conducted Monday through Friday during normal business hours; evening or weekend hours may be required to meet goals and objectives.

Pay

Targeted starting pay range depending on experience level I or level II: $22-30/hour.

Benefits

At Kamehameha Schools (KS), we recognize that compensation is just one facet of a fulfilling employment experience. Our commitment lies in fostering a positive work environment and equipping employees with the necessary resources to excel every day. Our Total Rewards Program embodies KS's dedication to the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our employee ʻohana. Explore our comprehensive Benefits Summary for more information.

Location

Kapalama Campus, Honolulu, Hawaii.