FT- Facilities and Grounds Technician Dwight D Eisenhower Memorial Washington DC

******Disabled veterans and veterans strongly encouraged to apply.*******

PORTCO, Inc is a non-stock, non-profit, 501(C) (3) corporation located in Suffolk, Virginia. PORTCO was founded in 1991 as an Employment Service Organization to provide transitional, supported employment and vocational services to individuals with disabilities who could not otherwise find and maintain competitive employment on their own.

About the Job
Portco, Inc. is seeking a full-time Grounds & Memorial Maintenance Technician to maintain the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, a four-acre national memorial park at the base of Capitol Hill honoring President and General Dwight D. Eisenhower. As one of two dedicated on-site staff members, you will play a vital role in keeping this nationally significant landmark in exceptional condition for millions of visitors each year. This hands-on position is responsible for grounds maintenance, memorial cleaning, landscape and turf care, litter and debris removal, daily inspections, and general site upkeep. Working independently and as part of a small operations team supporting the National Park Service, you will help ensure the memorial remains safe, clean, visually impressive, and visitor-ready at all times while taking pride in preserving one of the nation's most prominent public spaces.
 Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Grounds & Site Appearance (daily)

• Patrol the entire site for litter and debris multiple times a day; empty trash and haul it to the National Park Service disposal site daily.
• Blow off plazas, sidewalks, and hardscape every morning before 8:00 AM.
• Collect mementos left by visitors daily; remove stickers, gum (plastic scraper), and weeds from pavers and walkways.
• Report graffiti or vandalism with photos the same day; clean what is approved for cleaning.
• Keep restrooms clean, stocked, and operating; check toilets, urinals, sinks, and the drinking fountain daily.

Landscaping

• Mow turf areas (zero-turn and push mowers) to National Park Service standards; trim, edge every two weeks, and remove clippings.
• Weed and maintain planting beds; refresh mulch; remove leaves in season.
• Assist with irrigation checks, seasonal startup/winterization, and protecting turf during events.

Grounds Maintenance

• Perform daily lighting inspections across the memorial and help replace failed lamps and fixtures.
• Assist the Site Lead with preventive maintenance on pumps, HVAC units, and other equipment in the underground equipment room.
• Polish metal surfaces; spot-clean bronze sculptures (warm water and soft cloth); help clean stone surfaces per approved methods.
• Document completed work, including photos, for required government reports.

Minimum Qualifications
Required

• 2+ years of grounds maintenance, landscaping, janitorial/facilities, or building maintenance experience (military facilities/engineering experience counts fully).
• Experience operating mowers and landscaping equipment; zero-turn mower experience a plus.
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background investigation and obtain a government-issued site ID (PIV card) — required for this site.
• Reliable attendance for a 7:00 AM start, and flexibility for occasional weekends/special events.
• Able to work outdoors year-round and lift 50 lbs; comfortable on your feet all day.
• Professional, courteous, and low-key conduct around memorial visitors — this is a place of honor and reflection.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience maintaining parks, memorials, cemeteries, universities, historic sites, or government facilities.
• Irrigation system knowledge.
• Turfgrass management experience.
• Horticulture or landscape maintenance certifications.
• Pesticide applicator license.
• Experience operating utility vehicles or golf carts.
• Experience working around the public in high-visibility locations.
• Military service, especially with facilities, engineering, or public works background.
• Small-engine upkeep, basic plumbing/electrical familiarity, irrigation systems, or custodial certifications.

Work Environment

• Outdoor work in all seasons.
• Frequent exposure to heat, cold, rain, snow, and humidity.
• Use of commercial grounds maintenance equipment and hand tools.
• Frequent walking over uneven terrain and hardscape surfaces.
• Interaction with visitors, National Park Service personnel, and special event participants.

What We Provide

•  Uniforms and required safety equipment.
• $5.09/hour Health & Welfare benefit on top of base wage (cash or benefits), paid federal holidays, and paid vacation per the federal wage determination.
• Training on all site systems and procedures, including hand-over training from the current contractor.
• The chance to be the caretaker of a national memorial.

PORTCO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities, Women, Veterans and Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.