Groundsworker

Job no: 538363
Work type: Staff
Location: San José
Categories: Unit 5 - CSUEU - Operations and Support Services, Probationary, Full Time, Trades

JOB SUMMARY

Assigned primarily to the Main Campus and reporting to the Grounds, Landscape & Recycling Manager while under lead work direction provided by the Lead Groundsworker, the Groundsworker is a member of a team responsible for maintaining landscape and grounds areas of the campus as well as supporting recycling operations. This position is assigned to an area of campus and is responsible to maintain all areas of the grounds and landscape including lawns, groundcover, plants, hedges, shrubs, and trees. This includes work efforts associated with planting, cultivating, fertilizing, trimming, raking, mowing, weeding, and irrigating grounds areas and keeping the campus free and clear of debris and collecting trash and recyclables. This position operates small equipment and machinery typical to a landscape, hardscape, and grounds environment and may perform duties associated with and assisting qualified personnel in irrigation system repair, spraying, tree trimming, and nursery functions.
This position is a part of the Maintenance & Operations unit of Facilities Development & Operations, which provides services to a University campus spread across five sites comprised of 167 acres, 85 buildings, and more than six million gross square feet. Maintenance & Operations employs approximately 235 full time permanent staff and up to an additional nine part time, seasonal, or contract staff. The assigned operating budget for the unit is +$20 million for annual routine maintenance and operation activities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• General knowledge in the proper use and care of gardening materials, tools, and equipment.
• Ability to recognize the more common species of ornamental shrubs, trees and flowers grown in California.
• Ability to perform strenuous physical labor as required to successfully complete grounds and landscape assignments.
• Utilizes mechanical aptitude and motor coordination to properly operate all equipment and to do so safely
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere while establishing effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds
• Ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic justice, social justice, environmental justice) into all aspects of performing job duties
• Must participate in and successfully complete all assigned training, skill and professional development activities
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle, utility cart, personnel lifts, powered street/pavement sweepers, ride on mowers, and other hand and power driven equipment and tools required to successfully complete assignments

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• One year of experience in the care and maintenance of landscaped areas or in general grounds maintenance work, or in related manual labor
• Must participate in all OSHA required physicals and examinations
• Requires the possession of a valid California Driver’s License for the operation of any vehicle or equipment required for position and in any emergency situation

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent education
• Knowledge of general gardening and grounds maintenance methods
• General knowledge of planting, cultivating, and caring for hedges, ornamental trees, shrubs, lawns, and floors
• Possession of a maintenance gardener pest control certification or qualified applicator license from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation
• Three years of experience in the care and maintenance of landscaped areas or in general grounds maintenance work or in related manual labor
• Experience working within a University or large commercial setting

• Plant, trim, prune, and spray ornamental plants, shrubs, hedges, trees, lawns, and flowers. Erects and maintains tree supports
• Rake leaves and hoes weeds including use of specialized equipment where appropriate. Manicures, cuts, removes, and cleans up vegetation and debris to maintain aesthetics
• Monitors and cultivates lawn and plant growth by providing water, light, and soil nutrients and aeration
• Collects trash and recycling and disposes of properly while also maintaining trash/recycling bins and area in a neat and clean manner
• Prepares and treats soils to ensure vigorous plant and lawn health
• Under guidance from qualified personnel, operates, adjusts, cleans and inspects irrigation piping, valves, heads, emitters, and related equipment to ensure proper coverage and to identify problems and needed repairs
• Assists in maintaining, including preparing for play and lining, athletic fields
• Uses hand tools common to the gardening and grounds maintenance field to upkeep areas of assignment
• Maintains clean work areas, tools, equipment and associated structures
• Provides response to the lead supervisor, appropriate administrator, and FD&O Customer Service Desk to responds to grounds services related emergency situations around campus and miscellaneous trouble calls as assigned
• Records work efforts in detail within computerized recordkeeping systems and, where directed, on log sheets, and keeps accurate records so as to ensure an appropriate level of documentation regarding actions taken to complete assignments
• Attends and participates in departmental meetings, trainings and functions. Maximize productivity through participation in training and performance improvement initiatives.
• Disables and clearly identifies (lock out and tag out) unsafe equipment, and immediately notify appropriate personnel.
• Uses protective equipment, as required for personal safety.
• Participates in after hours emergency response callbacks and scheduled overtime to meet campus needs