Find Available Full-Time Postions in Landscaping
Are you considering a career in landscaping? Continue reading for a helpful guide on finding available full-time landscaping positions today.
Full-time landscaping jobs are available around the country. Landscaping involves lawn care, outdoor space design and manual assistance in both residential and commercial environments. Jobs are available in amusement parks, corporate centers, and gated communities. Pursuing a full-time job in landscaping is an excellent way to get back into the workforce if you are out of work or looking for a new career opportunity. Landscaping is also an excellent choice for restaurant and hospitality workers looking for supplementary income or career changes. Continue reading for a helpful guide on finding available full-time landscaping positions today.
Landscaping 101
Many people interchange landscaping and lawn care. Landscaping and lawn care are not the same, however. While lawn care itself has many elements to its process, it is still only one category under the entire landscaping umbrella. Lawn care includes lawn mowing, fertilization and weed control. Lawn care also involves aeration, pruning, dethatching and seasonal yard and grounds clean ups.
Landscaping involves planning, designing, developing, and converting outdoor areas into works of enjoyable outdoor art. Landscaping also involves hard work from talented, skilled, and experienced staff and technicians. Hardscaping is part of overall landscaping work and includes the installation of concrete, stone and cement walkways, patios, and decks. Pool, fountain, and decorative item installation are also hardscaping aspects of landscaping.
Customer service is also at the heart of professional landscaping companies. The planting of and caring for plants, trees, flowers, and shrubs is integral to the presentation of commercial properties and residential locations. A successful landscaping job increases visual appeal regardless of location and attracts the attention of customers, guests, and passers-by. Landscaping jobs also include:
- Vehicle driveway installations.
- Fence installations.
- Building ponds.
- Installing swimming pools.
- Erection of walls and gates.
- Sculptured garden figures.
- Scenic walking paths.
The Importance of Landscaping to Businesses and Homes
High quality landscaping is at the center of appeal for residential homes and commercial properties alike. The benefits associated with high quality landscaping extend far beyond the aesthetic, however. For example, pools and ponds on your property create peaceful environments, which help alleviate daily tension and stress. Multiple trees in a yard create fresh oxygen, which offers a private fresh-air haven, away from outside air filled with pollutants. Scientists are additionally exploring the potential benefits walking through foliage-filled environments have on human attention spans and memory.
Landscaping also creates financial benefits. Landscaped properties increase in value. The curb-appeal of a residential home is increased, which helps attract more people to neighborhoods. This in turn helps boost the economy in applicable communities. Landscaped commercial properties attract more customers, which in turn increases profits.
Environmental benefits are also associated with high quality landscaping. Floods are reduced on the properties. Shade trees help maintain comfortable temperatures all year long. Soil degradation is decreased, and underground water levels increased. Finally, the plants and trees on your property absorb carbon dioxide and release fresh oxygen, which helps control polluted air in your areas.
Types of Full-Time Landscaping Jobs
The landscaping profession includes several types of jobs. Landscaping technicians, crewmembers and company manager jobs are all available. Choosing the right position for you depends on your training and skills along with availability in your area.
Landscaping technicians are also referred to as groundskeepers. Groundskeepers handle the upkeep of yards, gardens, and pools. They also handle the upkeep of larger outdoor properties such as golf courses, amusement parks and other public parks. Some indoor facilities have landscaping needs as well. These include greenhouses, zoos, aquariums, sports arenas, and large commercial complexes. Landscaping technicians need to be physically fit and capable of lifting and operating heavy for long periods of time. A valid U.S. state-issued driver’s license is also generally required because landscaping involves traveling between multiple locations on the same day, every day of the work week.
Landscaping technician duties might also include the planting, watering and general care of plants, flowers, and trees. Some landscaping technicians also do pesticide-based work, but state licenses are often required for this type of service. Additional tasks and duties performed by landscaping technicians include:
- Pruning bushes.
- Snow or litter removal.
- Spreading sod.
- Using power saws and turf vacuums.
- Raking and shoveling.
- Operating heavy equipment.
Landscaping crewmembers work under the supervision of the main groundskeeper or landscaping technician. Duties are similar albeit without the same managerial skills. In order to run a landscaping company, you must have excellent communication skills, additional years of relevant experience and sometimes a college degree. Many landscaping companies are smaller, family-owned businesses. Others are run by larger landscaping-based companies or corporations.
Job Requirements
Most landscaping technicians and crewmembers are required to have a high school diploma or equivalency diploma such as a GED. Licensing is required in some states for landscaping technicians who use pesticides on their job sites. A few states might also require licensing for landscaping contractors, but most do not. Previous experience is always a positive asset when applying for jobs with a landscaping company or team. While not necessarily required, taking a certificate course in related fields still helps increase your potential hiring opportunities and income potential. Certificate programs are provided through trade schools, vocational schools, and community colleges. Some landscaping-based certificate programs are available online and (in limited cases) even for free.
Certificate programs relevant to landscaping include irrigation techniques, business management horticulture and more. The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) is one source for obtaining certification via its Certified Grounds Technician program. Qualifying for this program requires a minimum of two prior years’ experience in the field and the passing of a sixty-question proficiency test, which is found on the PGMS website. The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) also offers landscaping-based certificate programs.
Salaries for Landscaping Jobs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), landscaper salaries are expected o grow by approximately nine percent through 2029, which is slightly above the average growth rate expected for all other U.S.-based professionals through the same period of time. Median hourly wages for landscapers are $13.94 per hour or $29,000 per year. Higher wages are available for landscaping technicians who run their own businesses or who have college degrees in businesses management or related fields. Every certificate program you earn also boosts your hiring and salary potential.
