Gardener

About the Role

The Gardener is responsible for maintaining and enhancing campus landscapes, athletic fields, and grounds to support a safe, attractive, and functional university environment. Working independently under general supervision, this position performs skilled horticultural and sports turf maintenance, irrigation repair, pest management, and operation of specialized grounds equipment. The role ensures campus grounds and athletic facilities are maintained to established standards while supporting sustainability, operational efficiency, and the university's mission.

Responsibilities

• Maintain campus landscapes, ornamental gardens, trees, shrubs, and athletic sports turf.
• Prepare, line, and maintain athletic fields to meet intercollegiate competition standards.
• Install, cultivate, prune, fertilize, irrigate, and care for plants, trees, shrubs, and turf.
• Inspect, repair, modify, and maintain irrigation systems and related equipment.
• Apply herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, and soil amendments using approved practices.
• Operate and perform routine maintenance on grounds equipment, vehicles, and specialized turf maintenance machinery.
• Maintain nursery operations, propagate plants, and recommend appropriate plant materials and landscape improvements.
• Document work activities, maintain inventory and equipment records, and utilize computerized maintenance management systems.
• Respond to urgent maintenance needs, report repair issues, and maintain safe, clean work areas.
• Participate in training, follow safety procedures, and use required personal protective equipment.

Requirements

• Two years of experience in performing work in the cultivation and care of nursery or ornamental plants including planting of seeds and cuttings, watering, fertilizing, transplanting, and pruning.
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License for the operation of any vehicle or equipment required for the position and in any emergency situation.
• Must participate in all OSHA required physicals and examinations.

Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of horticulture, plant identification, propagation, pruning, and landscape maintenance practices.
• Knowledge of sports turf management, athletic field preparation, irrigation systems, and soil management.
• Ability to identify and address plant diseases, pests, and nutrient deficiencies.
• Skill in operating, maintaining, and safely using grounds maintenance equipment and vehicles.
• Ability to install, repair, and modify irrigation systems and related components.
• Ability to communicate professionally and work effectively with campus constituents.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and use computerized maintenance management systems.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, prioritize work, and respond effectively to changing operational needs.
• Knowledge of safe work practices, equipment maintenance, and applicable environmental and safety regulations.

Preferred Qualifications

• QAL/QAC Certificate for pest control in Landscape.
• Two years in the general maintenance of landscaped areas, one year of which shall have been in the maintenance of sports turf, equipment operation, and irrigation installation and repair.

Pay

Anticipated hiring range: $4,050/month - $4,652/month (Step 7 – Step 14). CSU Salary Range: up to $5,035/month (Step 1 – Step 18).

Benefits

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Schedule

Selected candidates will be placed in the following shift based on operational needs:

• Tuesday - Saturday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.