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Occupation Description

Plan, organize, direct, or coordinate activities of workers engaged in landscaping or groundskeeping activities, such as planting and maintaining ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers, and lawns, and applying fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals, according to contract specifications. May also coordinate activities of workers engaged in terracing hillsides, building retaining walls, constructing pathways, installing patios, and similar activities in following a landscape design plan. Work may involve reviewing contracts to ascertain service, machine, and work force requirements; answering inquiries from potential customers regarding methods, material, and price ranges; and preparing estimates according to labor, material, and machine costs.

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State and National Wages

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

Location	Pay Period	2008
		10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
United States	Hourly	$12.57	$15.22	$19.19	$24.90	$31.33
	Yearly	$26,100	$31,700	$39,900	$51,800	$65,200
South Carolina	Hourly	$12.43	$14.67	$17.84	$21.71	$28.15
	Yearly	$25,900	$30,500	$37,100	$45,200	$58,600

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

• High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
• Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
• Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

• High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
• Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
• Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Occupation Wages FAQs

Median Wage by Occupation Across States
Compare Wages by Occupation and Local Area
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National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey
State Data Source: South Carolina Wage Information

State and National Trends

Note: The data for the State Employment Trends and the National Employment Trends are not directly comparable. The projections period for state data is 2006-2016, while the projections period for national data is 2008-2018.

Occupation Trends FAQs

Employment Trends by Occupation Across States
Compare Employment Trends by Occupation
Employment Trends by Industry and Occupation

National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections
State Data Source: South Carolina Employment Security Commission

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed for First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers.

Knowledge:

• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Skills:

• Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Abilities:

• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Source: Occupational Information Network: First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers.

Tasks and Activities

Occupation specific tasks and the most important generalized work activities are listed for First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers.

Occupation Specific Tasks:

• Answer inquiries from current or prospective customers regarding methods, materials, and price ranges.
• Confer with managers and landscape architects to develop plans and schedules for landscaping maintenance and improvement.
• Confer with other supervisors to coordinate work activities with those of other departments or units.
• Design and supervise the installation of sprinkler systems, calculating water pressure, and valve and pipe coverage needs.
• Direct activities of workers who perform duties such as landscaping, cultivating lawns, or pruning trees and shrubs.
• Direct and assist workers engaged in the maintenance and repair of equipment such as power tools and motorized equipment.
• Direct or perform mixing and application of fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides.
• Establish and enforce operating procedures and work standards that will ensure adequate performance and personnel safety.
• Identify diseases and pests affecting landscaping, and order appropriate treatments.
• Inspect completed work to ensure conformance to specifications, standards, and contract requirements.
• Install and maintain landscaped areas, performing tasks such as removing snow, pouring cement curbs, and repairing sidewalks.
• Inventory supplies of tools, equipment, and materials to ensure that sufficient supplies are available and items are in usable condition.
• Investigate work-related complaints in order to verify problems, and to determine responses.
• Maintain required records such as personnel information and project records.
• Monitor project activities to ensure that instructions are followed, deadlines are met, and schedules are maintained.
• Negotiate with customers regarding fees for landscaping, lawn service, or groundskeeping work.
• Order the performance of corrective work when problems occur, and recommend procedural changes to avoid such problems.
• Perform administrative duties such as authorizing leaves and processing time sheets.
• Perform personnel-related activities such as hiring workers, evaluating staff performance, and taking disciplinary actions when performance problems occur.
• Plant and maintain vegetation through activities such as mulching, fertilizing, watering, mowing, and pruning.
• Prepare and maintain required records such as work activity and personnel reports.
• Prepare service estimates based on labor, material, and machine costs, and maintain budgets for individual projects.
• Provide workers with assistance in performing duties as necessary to meet deadlines.
• Recommend changes in working conditions or equipment use, in order to increase crew efficiency.
• Review contracts or work assignments to determine service, machine, and workforce requirements for jobs.
• Schedule work for crews depending on work priorities, crew and equipment availability, and weather conditions.
• Tour grounds such as parks, botanical gardens, cemeteries, or golf courses to inspect conditions of plants and soil.
• Train workers in tasks such as transplanting and pruning trees and shrubs, finishing cement, using equipment, and caring for turf.

Generalized Work Activities:

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Detailed Work Activities:

• analyze operational or management reports or records
• answer customer or public inquiries
• assign work to staff or employees
• conduct or attend staff meetings
• consult with managerial or supervisory personnel
• demonstrate or explain assembly or use of equipment
• determine work priority, crew or equipment requirements
• develop staffing plan
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• establish employee performance standards
• estimate materials or labor requirements
• explain work orders, specifications, or work techniques to workers
• fell or buck trees
• finish concrete surfaces
• hire, discharge, transfer, or promote workers
• interview job applicants
• investigate customer complaints
• judge soil conditions
• maintain or repair construction machinery or equipment
• maintain or repair farm vehicles, machinery, or mechanical implements
• maintain production or work records
• make decisions
• make presentations
• mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
• modify work procedures or processes to meet deadlines
• monitor worker performance
• operate agricultural equipment or machinery
• orient new employees
• oversee work progress to verify safety or conformance to standards
• perform safety inspections in agricultural, forestry, or fishing setting
• plan or organize work
• prepare cost estimates
• prepare or maintain employee records
• publicize job openings
• recognize plant diseases
• recommend improvements to work methods or procedures
• repair and maintain grounds keeping equipment and tools
• resolve landscaping problems
• resolve or assist workers to resolve work problems
• schedule employee work hours
• schedule facility or property maintenance
• supervise grounds keeping or landscaping workers
• understand second language
• use chain saws
• use hand or power tools
• use herbicides, fertilizers, pesticides or related products
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use plant or crop transplant techniques
• use power mower
• use truck-mounted hydraulic lifts or other accessories

Source: Occupational Information Network: First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers.

Tools and Technology

First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers  View Detailed Report

Tools:

• Hand sprayers - Herbicide sprayers, Insecticide sprayers
• Hedge clippers - Hedge trimmers, Weed whackers
• Screwdrivers - Phillips head screwdrivers, Straight screwdrivers
• Skid steer loaders - Skid steer loaders, Skip loaders
• Spades - Garden spades, Spades

Technology:

• Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook
• Facilities management software - Work order software
• Inventory management software - Inventory management software
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel

Source: Occupational Information Network: First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers.

Education and Training

Occupation: First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers
Most Common Educational/Training Level: Work experience in a related occupation
Related Instructional Programs:

• Landscaping and Groundskeeping
• Ornamental Horticulture
• Turf and Turfgrass Management

WIA Eligible Training Provider List: http://www.workforcesouthcarolina.com/provider/

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections (Education/Training Level, Educational Attainment); National Center for Education Statistics (Typical Instructional Programs)

Related Occupation Profiles
Occupations with similar skill requirements

• First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
• First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
• First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
• First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers
• Lodging Managers

Web Resources

Building Cleaning and Pest Control Workers
Grounds Maintenance Workers
Supervisors, Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Workers

• Building Cleaning Workers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Cleaners, Job Futures
• Janitors and Cleaners, California Occupational Guide
• Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners, California Occupational Guide
• Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners, Learn More Resource Center
• Pest Control Workers, Occupational Outlook Handbook

• Gardeners and Groundskeepers, California Occupational Guide
• Greenskeeper, Future Farmers of America
• Grounds Maintenance Workers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Groundskeeper, Future Farmers of America
• Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, CareerZone

• First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Production and Operating Workers, Learn More Resource Center
• Floor Sanders and Finishers, Learn More Resource Center
• Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners, Learn More Resource Center
• Turf Manager, Future Farmers of America