Hey everyone! I've just started working as an assistant caretaker and groundskeeper at a school. I have some background in farm work, so I thought I'd be ready for this, but it's turning out to be pretty overwhelming. My supervisor has been on leave for a month, so I've had no guidance, and the school grounds are in quite a mess. I have a ton of tasks to tackle—like weed eating, edging, and leaf blowing—but I'm not sure where to even begin. I'm basically figuring it all out on my own, so I'm looking for any advice or tips you can share. Thanks in advance for your help!
3 Answers
Jump right in! In this line of work, you'll find there's always something to do, so instead of trying to complete everything perfectly, just get started with what seems most urgent. You’ll start feeling on top of things soon enough!
Set some priorities! Focus on high-traffic areas first, like the playground and main entrance, and make sure you're tackling any hazardous plants like poison ivy. Checking in with the principal about their concerns can also help you focus your efforts.
When I managed grounds for a larger facility, I established a routine. Start with essential weekly tasks: check irrigation on Mondays, do hedge maintenance on Tuesdays, and reserve Fridays for wrapping things up. Always finish your day tidying up, so everything looks good before the bosses leave. And don’t forget to allocate time for trash pickup at the end of your day! You got this!
Thanks for the encouragement! I’ve been trying to tick off tasks completely instead of accepting that maintenance is ongoing. That really helps with my mindset!