Grounds Worker II

This position supports working in both Pittsburg and Brentwood campus locations, with primary work at the Brentwood campus.

About the Role

To perform a variety of skilled landscaping and turf maintenance duties, including operating a variety of equipment in maintenance of campus grounds. This role may act as a lead, providing direction to lower-level staff in general gardening care and grounds maintenance, including the care and upkeep of athletic facilities.

Responsibilities

• Plants, waters, weeds, trims, fertilizes, restores, and mows lawns, shrubs, trees, and flower beds.
• Aerates lawns and rakes leaves; cleans walkways, fields, courts, and other facilities; loads trimmings on trucks.
• Performs routine preventive maintenance on equipment, including mowing equipment, vehicles, and hand and power tools; replaces spark plugs, oil filters, and tightens belts.
• Performs routine maintenance on irrigation equipment; installs sprinkler systems.
• Sprays plants and shrubs with insecticides and herbicides; mixes chemicals for spraying.
• Performs general grounds cleaning and empties exterior trash cans.
• Drives vehicles used to transport materials, tools, and equipment as required.
• Operates and performs routine maintenance on landscaping vehicles, equipment, and tools.
• Assists in maintenance of athletic fields.
• Digs post holes and trenches.
• Responds to inquiries from the general public.
• Supervises and trains staff in safety and proper work techniques.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Two (2) years of experience performing grounds work or similar duties, including operating maintenance equipment and maintaining irrigation systems.
• Possession of a high school diploma/GED or the equivalent.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid forklift operator's certificate.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California pesticide applicators certificate.

Knowledge & Skills

• Basic methods, tools, materials, and equipment used in grounds maintenance work.
• Safe work practices and proper use of personal protective equipment.
• Basic construction and repair methods.
• Plant and turf pests and diseases and methods for their control and eradication.
• Proper and effective use and maintenance of landscape maintenance tools, equipment, and materials.
• Ability to operate a variety of light and/or heavy mechanical equipment.
• Ability to mix and apply herbicides.
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor, including lifting and moving items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to follow verbal and written directions.
• Ability to perform preventative maintenance on landscape maintenance tools and equipment.
• Ability to install irrigation clocks and systems.
• Ability to analyze and diagnose electrical and wiring problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
• Demonstrated understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socio-economic, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability, and religious background of all students, faculty, and staff.

Desirable Qualifications

• Advanced grounds maintenance experience (2+ years) in landscaping, turf, or athletic field care.
• Irrigation expertise, including installation, troubleshooting, and programming irrigation systems and clocks.
• Proficiency operating a wide range of landscaping equipment, including heavy equipment and specialized turf machinery.
• Ability to diagnose and repair equipment, including preventive maintenance and basic mechanical/electrical issues.
• Commitment to safety practices and effective use of PPE, with the ability to work independently in physically demanding conditions.

Pay

Yearly salary range: $28,914.00 (Step 1) - $35,220.00 (Step 5). New employees will be placed at the first step ($28,914.00 per year), second step ($30,378.00 per year), or third step ($31,914.00 per year) depending upon experience. Step increases occur annually on July 1st until the maximum step of $35,220.00 per year is reached.