Job Summary

The Groundskeeper / Maintenance Assistant is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness, safety, beauty, and reverent appearance of the exterior grounds and facilities of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. This position supports the liturgical, sacramental, pastoral, educational, and community life of the parish by ensuring that the parish grounds, walkways, parking areas, landscaping, and exterior building areas are properly maintained.

This position will primarily focus on lawn care, landscaping, exterior upkeep, and safe maintenance of parish grounds. The position may also assist with light maintenance, occasional janitorial work, and parish event setup or cleanup as directed by the Business Manager.

The employee is expected to uphold the mission and teachings of the Catholic Church and to conduct himself or herself in a professional, respectful, and cooperative manner consistent with the values of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Diocese of Austin.

Ministerial Character

The Pastor is the visible principle and foundation of unity in the parish of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, which the Bishop has entrusted to him. He makes Christ’s mission present and enduring in the parish. In order to fulfill his mission, the Pastor employs suitable, chosen collaborators, whether clerics, religious, or lay people. He shares with them his mission and entrusts various responsibilities to them.

Positions employed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church help to extend the ministry of the Pastor in particular ways as outlined in the job description. Therefore, the employee in this position is closely connected to and assists the Pastor in the performance of his ministry and thereby engages in ministry for the Church.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Groundskeeping and Lawn Maintenance

• Mow lawns and maintain turf areas on parish property.
• Edge sidewalks, curbs, parking areas, flower beds, and other borders.
• Trim hedges, shrubs, bushes, trees, and other landscaping as needed.
• Weed flower beds, landscaped areas, fence lines, sidewalks, and parking areas.
• Remove leaves, branches, litter, and debris from parish grounds.
• Blow or sweep sidewalks, entryways, parking areas, and exterior gathering spaces.
• Water lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, and landscaped areas as needed.
• Assist with seasonal planting, mulching, fertilizing, and general landscape care.
• Maintain outdoor devotional spaces, statues, signs, benches, walkways, and gathering areas in a clean and reverent condition.

Exterior Building and Property Upkeep

• Conduct routine walkthroughs of parish grounds and exterior building areas.
• Report damage, safety concerns, irrigation issues, lighting problems, or needed repairs to the Business Manager.
• Assist with minor exterior repairs and maintenance tasks within the employee’s skill level.
• Replace exterior light bulbs or other simple maintenance items when safe and appropriate.
• Help keep sidewalks, entrances, parking lots, and common areas safe, accessible, and free from hazards.
• Assist with care and basic upkeep of parish equipment, tools, and supplies.
• Operate parish lawn and maintenance equipment safely and responsibly.
• Notify the Business Manager when equipment, tools, or supplies need repair or replacement.

Occasional Janitorial and Event Support

• Provide occasional janitorial support as directed, especially for parish events, emergencies, or special circumstances.
• Assist with cleaning restrooms, gathering spaces, entryways, offices, or other areas when needed.
• Empty trash and recycling from exterior areas and occasionally from interior parish spaces.
• Assist with setup and cleanup for parish events, liturgies, festivals, meetings, or special gatherings as requested.
• Move tables, chairs, trash bins, supplies, or equipment as needed and within safe lifting limits.
• Assist staff, clergy, and volunteers with facility-related needs as directed by the Business Manager.

Safety and Stewardship

• Follow all parish and diocesan safety policies and procedures.
• Use tools, chemicals, and equipment safely and according to instructions.
• Maintain a clean and orderly work area.
• Exercise care and stewardship in the use of parish property, equipment, and supplies.
• Identify and report unsafe conditions promptly.
• Assist during urgent facility needs, weather-related concerns, or other parish emergencies as requested.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions with clergy, staff, parishioners, school families, volunteers, vendors, and visitors.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of basic lawn care and groundskeeping practices.
• Knowledge of safe use of mowers, trimmers, blowers, hand tools, and basic maintenance equipment.
• Knowledge of basic janitorial procedures and cleaning supplies.
• Basic knowledge of irrigation, plant care, landscaping, and seasonal grounds maintenance preferred.
• Basic knowledge of workplace safety practices.

Skills

• Skill in mowing, edging, trimming, pruning, weeding, and general landscape upkeep.
• Skill in safely operating lawn care and maintenance equipment.
• Skill in organizing work, managing time, and completing tasks with limited supervision.
• Skill in communicating clearly and respectfully with supervisors, coworkers, parishioners, and vendors.
• Skill in identifying maintenance needs and reporting them promptly.

Abilities

• Ability to work outdoors in Texas weather conditions, including heat, sun, wind, rain, and seasonal changes.
• Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 50 pounds; heavier lifting may require assistance.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, climb, reach, and use tools and equipment safely.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to work independently while remaining accountable to the Business Manager.
• Ability to maintain a respectful, professional, and service-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work cooperatively with clergy, parish staff, school staff, volunteers, parishioners, and visitors.
• Ability to adjust work priorities when parish needs change.

Additional Duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice, according to the needs of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and as directed by the Business Manager or Pastor.

Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The employee must be able to:

• Stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, push, pull, and climb as needed.
• Use hands and arms to operate tools, equipment, and controls.
• Work outdoors for extended periods.
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Safely operate lawn care equipment, hand tools, and basic maintenance equipment.
• Perform repetitive physical tasks.
• See, hear, and communicate sufficiently to perform assigned duties safely.

Working Conditions

• All employees of the parish are engaged in ministry and are closely tied to the Pastor in the exercise of his ministry and obligations to the Church.
• St. Mary’s Catholic Church is an at-will employer.
• All buildings and vehicles owned by the parish are tobacco free.
• Work will primarily be performed outdoors and may involve exposure to heat, cold, rain, dust, pollen, insects, noise, cleaning products, lawn equipment, and other normal groundskeeping conditions.
• The position may require occasional work inside parish facilities.
• Work priorities and schedules may change based on weather, liturgical seasons, parish events, school needs, or urgent maintenance needs.
• Occasional evening, weekend, holy day, or special event work may be required.
• The employee will be exposed to religious ceremonies, conduct, speech, Roman Catholic Christian prayer, and liturgical celebrations.
• The employee will be required to follow established dress, conduct, safety, and professionalism standards.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Trainings

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Equivalent experience may be considered.

Experience

• One to two years of experience in groundskeeping, landscaping, lawn maintenance, custodial work, maintenance, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working in a parish, school, nonprofit, or similar setting preferred but not required.

Language

• English proficiency in speaking, reading, and understanding work instructions required.
• Spanish language ability is helpful but not required.

Catholic Requirement

• Must support the mission, values, and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
• Must conduct oneself in a manner consistent with the moral and ethical standards of the Catholic Church.
• Must be respectful of Catholic worship, prayer, liturgical celebrations, and parish life.
• Practicing Roman Catholic in good standing preferred; required if directed by diocesan policy or diocesan Human Resources for this position.

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid Texas driver’s license required if driving parish vehicles or using a personal vehicle for parish-related duties.
• Must maintain compliance with the Diocese of Austin Ethics and Integrity in Ministry policies throughout the employment period.
• Must successfully complete any required background check, safe environment training, and employment screening required by St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Diocese of Austin.