Groundskeeper

About the role

Under the general supervision of the Facilities Director, the Groundskeeper performs routine and specialized grounds maintenance activities to support a safe, attractive, and sustainable campus environment. The incumbent contributes to the preservation and enhancement of university landscapes through the maintenance of turf, trees, shrubs, irrigation systems, and outdoor facilities, ensuring campus grounds meet operational and aesthetic standards.

Responsibilities

• Perform a variety of landscaping and grounds maintenance tasks to care, maintain and preserve the plants, shrubs, trees, hedges, flowers and lawns on hard and soft landscape of the campus grounds
• Mow, edge, trim, prune, rake, remove weeds and/or dead trees/roots, fertilize, and plant flowers, shrubbery or trees, maintain lawns, fields and flower beds
• Water various grounds areas by hand or manual operation of the irrigation system; perform minor repairs of the irrigation system by replacing sprinkler heads, risers, broken lines, valves, timers or controllers
• Vacuum, pressure wash, sweep or blow down hard surfaces; install, repair and maintain the hard surface areas such as walkways, roadways, pavers and stepping stones
• Service and repair landscape equipment and tools
• Assist with the integrated pest management program (IPM): control and eradication of insects, rodents and weeds
• During times of operational need may perform other landscaping and refuse duties as assigned, or assist with event set up/clean-up
• Maintain a positive attitude and communicate effectively with colleagues, supervisors, staff, faculty and students

Requirements

• Education: High School Diploma (required)
• Experience: One year of experience in grounds maintenance or landscaping; or an equivalent combination of education and experience (required)
• Experience to safely use and maintain landscaping hand and power tools/equipment, such as mowers (including riding mowers, self-propelled and push mowers), edgers, hedge trimmers, chain saws, power blowers, vacuum, rototillers, saws, clippers, seed and fertilize spreaders, and high pressure washers (required)
• Experience in using mechanical tools required to maintain all landscaping related equipment such as hand wrenches, gas/oil mixing and hand files (required)
• Experience using irrigation systems and completing minor repairs on systems (required)
• Prior experience and ability to prioritize work orders, routine work, emergency requests, combined with the knowledge to choose the proper materials and equipment to accomplish the work in the most expeditious and safe manner (required)
• Experience working with a diverse student, staff, faculty and visitor population and ability to provide exemplary customer service (required)
• Experience using desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices, and using e-mail (required)

Qualifications

• Knowledge, skill and ability to safely use and maintain landscaping hand and power tools/equipment as listed above
• Skill, knowledge and ability in using mechanical tools required to maintain all landscaping related equipment such as hand wrenches, gas/oil mixing and hand files
• Ability to read, write and communicate effectively in the English language with co-workers, supervisors, and the general public
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work effectively; following through on assignments with minimal direction and fluctuating workload
• Knowledge, skill and ability using irrigation systems and completing minor repairs on systems
• Willingness and ability to work scheduled, unscheduled and emergency overtime
• Ability to work a flexible schedule (weekends and holidays; early mornings, mornings, evening or graveyard shifts), as needed to accommodate campus event schedules

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and skill to use MS Office programs and email
• Knowledge and ability to use desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices
• Knowledge of UCR/UC policies, procedures and systems
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations governing areas related to the responsibilities of the job, including SB-198 Illness and Injury Prevention Program (IIPP)

Pay & Schedule

• Hourly range: $25.17 to $35.22 (full salary range); expected pay scale up to $27.23 hourly
• Appointment: Limited appointment at 45% time (18 hours per week), expected to continue through June 30, 2027; continuation subject to operational needs and availability of funding
• Work schedule: Flexible schedule including weekends, holidays, early mornings, mornings, evenings, or graveyard shifts as needed

In the Heart of Inland Southern California, UC Riverside is located on nearly 1,200 acres near Box Springs Mountain in Southern California; the park-like campus provides convenient access to the vibrant and growing Inland region. The campus is a living laboratory for the exploration of issues critical to growing communities' air, water, energy, transportation, politics, the arts, history, and culture. UCR gives every student, faculty and staff member the resources to explore, engage, imagine and excel. UC Riverside is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse research universities in the country boasting several key rankings of which we are extremely proud. UC Riverside is proud to be ranked No. 12 among all U.S. universities, according to Money Magazine's 2020 rankings, and among the top 1 percent of universities worldwide, according to the 2019-20 Center for World University rankings. UC Riverside is the top university in the United States for social mobility. - U.S. News 2020. UCR is a member of the University Innovation Alliance, the leading national coalition of public research universities committed to improving student success for low-income, first-generation, and students of color. Among top-tier universities, UC Riverside ranks No. 2 in financial aid. - Business Insider 2019. Ranked No. 2 in the world for research, UCR's Department of Entomology maintains one of the largest collections of insect specimens the nation. - Center for World University Rankings. UCR's distinguished faculty boasts 2 Nobel Laureates, and 13 members of the National Academies of Science and Medicine.