Grounds Worker II

Location: Los Medanos College

Salary: $57,828 - $70,440 per year

About the Role

This position performs a variety of skilled landscaping and turf maintenance duties, operating equipment to maintain campus grounds. The role varies by classification:

• Grounds Worker I: Task-focused with basic landscaping and turf maintenance duties. Training is provided for specific work activities with limited variation in work sequence.
• Grounds Worker II: Skilled landscaping and turf maintenance, including care for trees, lawns, shrubs, hedges, ground cover, flowers, and athletic fields.
• Grounds Worker, Lead: Acts as a lead, providing direction to lower-level staff in general gardening and grounds maintenance, including athletic facility upkeep. Offers guidance on techniques, methods, and problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Plant, water, weed, trim, fertilize, restore, and mow lawns, shrubs, trees, and flower beds.
• Aerate lawns, rake leaves, clean walkways, fields, courts, and other facilities; load trimmings onto trucks.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance on equipment, including mowing equipment, vehicles, and hand/power tools (e.g., replacing spark plugs, oil filters, tightening belts).
• Maintain irrigation equipment and install sprinkler systems.
• Spray plants and shrubs with insecticides and herbicides; mix chemicals for spraying.
• Perform general grounds cleaning and empty exterior trash cans.
• Drive vehicles to transport materials, tools, and equipment.
• Operate and maintain landscaping vehicles, equipment, and tools.
• Assist in the maintenance of athletic fields.
• Dig post holes and trenches.
• Respond to inquiries from the public.
• Supervise and train staff in safety and proper work techniques (Lead role).
• Perform 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 equivalent.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid forklift operator’s certificate.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California pesticide applicator’s certificate.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge Of:

• Basic methods, tools, materials, and equipment used in grounds maintenance.
• Safe work practices and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Basic construction and repair methods.
• Plant and turf pests/diseases and methods for their control and eradication.
• Effective use and maintenance of landscape maintenance tools, equipment, and materials.

Ability To:

• Operate a variety of light and/or heavy mechanical equipment.
• Mix and apply herbicides.
• Perform heavy manual labor, including lifting and moving items up to 50 pounds.
• Follow verbal and written directions.
• Perform preventive maintenance on landscape tools and equipment.
• Install irrigation clocks and systems.
• Analyze and diagnose electrical and wiring problems.
• Establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with diverse individuals.
• Demonstrate understanding, sensitivity, and respect for diverse academic, socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, and religious backgrounds.

Desirable Qualifications

• Advanced grounds maintenance experience (2+ years) in landscaping, turf, or athletic field care.
• Expertise in irrigation systems, including installation, troubleshooting, and programming.
• 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.
• Experience maintaining athletic fields or high-visibility landscaped areas.
• Commitment to safety practices and ability to work independently in physically demanding conditions.

Pay

New employees start at the first step: $57,828 per year. Salary placement may occur at the second step ($60,756) or third step ($63,828) depending on experience. Annual step increases occur on July 1st of each fiscal year until reaching the maximum step of $70,440 per year.