Employers also look for responsible, self-motivated workers, since many gardeners and groundskeepers often work alone. Most gardeners or groundskeepers can advance to supervisor after several years of experience. This experience should include showing the ability to deal effectively with both coworkers and customers. Supervisors can advance to grounds manager or superintendent for a facility. These facilities include golf courses, other athletic facilities, cemeteries, campuses, and school systems.
Supervisors can also advance to be the manager of a lawn maintenance firm.
Many gardeners and groundskeepers become landscape contractors. Some states require licenses for people who apply pesticides. Requirements vary by state. In general, those who apply pesticides must be at least 18 years old and pass a written exam. Some states require that pesticide applicators take a training course of 16 hours or more.