Groundskeeper

Grounds work at a multifamily community is physical, visible, and immediate. Residents notice it every single day, and the skills it builds, attention to detail, familiarity with exterior systems, and an eye for curb appeal, carry forward into every maintenance role above it. At Liam at Hays Farm in Huntsville's growing south corridor near Jones Valley, Hawthorne Residential Partners is hiring a Groundskeeper to keep this community's exterior looking the part.

What This Role Actually Demands

The core skill here is observation. A good groundskeeper walks the property and registers what's off before anyone else does: a light out in a breezeway, debris collecting near the compactor, a pet station that needs attention, a pool deck that's lost its presentation. You won't be handed a checklist at 8 AM and left alone. You'll be expected to develop an instinct for what the property needs and act on it.

Day-to-day, that means cleaning and picking up debris throughout exterior areas, maintaining sidewalks, parking lots, and green spaces, and keeping amenity areas like courtyards, grilling stations, and pool decks clean and presentable. Light landscaping tasks like raking, trimming, and weeding come with the role, as does assisting the maintenance team with exterior touch-ups, bulb replacements, and make-ready support for vacant units when needed. You'll also help distribute resident communications and pitch in on seasonal prep and cleanup.

Who Fits This Role Well

• Comfort working outdoors in variable Alabama weather, including summer heat
• Some background in yardwork or general facility upkeep
• A valid driver's license
• Reliability and a consistent presence the team and residents can count on
• Willingness to learn from the maintenance team and take direction without friction
• A high school diploma or GED equivalent

Prior maintenance or HVAC experience is a plus, but Hawthorne has structured this as an entry point. The work ethic matters more than the resume here.

Where This Role Can Take You at Hawthorne

Hawthorne runs a formal Career Path Program, and the Groundskeeper role is explicitly positioned as a stepping stone toward Maintenance Technician I. That's a meaningful distinction. Many companies say they promote from within; Hawthorne builds that progression into their training infrastructure. If you want to expand into HVAC, plumbing, or electrical work over time, this is a legitimate place to start building toward those credentials while earning a paycheck.

Compensation includes hourly pay plus a monthly renewal bonus program. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401k with company match, paid time off (including your birthday), paid parental and adoption leave, pet insurance, telehealth access, and company-paid life insurance.

The schedule runs Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, with participation in an on-call rotation for after-hours emergencies and occasional support for resident events when needed.