GROUNDS MAINTENANCE WORKER I, PREPARING LOS ANGELES FOR COUNTY EMPLOYMENT (PLACE) PROGRAM

County of Los Angeles; California (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Los Angeles is hiring a Grounds Maintenance Worker I to perform routine grounds upkeep, planting and lawn care at beaches, parks, and public facilities. The role requires a valid California Class C driver license and completion of the PLACE certificate within the last year.

Under supervision, duties include equipment operation, pesticide handling under supervision, and assisting in maintenance tasks.

Qualifications

• Certificate in Grounds Maintenance Worker Preparation Program (PLACE) within last 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Cultivates, fertilizes, trims, and cleans planted areas adjacent to public buildings, golf courses, parks, and beaches.
• Mows, edges, and sweeps park and public building lawns.
• Pots, plants, transplants, fertilizes, sprays, prunes, and waters flowers, shrubs, and trees.
• Sweeps, mops, and waxes floors, washes windows, empties waste baskets, and cleans restrooms.
• Sets up grounds for athletic events and moves equipment as needed.
• Drives automobile equipment to and from work sites.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Driver license

Education

Grounds Maintenance Worker PLACE certificate

Tools

Weed whips

Backpack blowers

Hedge trimmers

Job description

EXAM NUMBER

R0352F-R

APPLICATION FILING PERIOD

We will begin receiving applications on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. (PT). All applications must be received before 5:00 p.m. (PT) on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2026.

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT

We welcome applications from anyone.

JOB TYPE

Permanent and Temporary (As Needed)

ABOUT THIS POSITION

Performs routine and simple maintenance of park, beach, and public grounds and related custodial work.

Why work for us?

With almost 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation! As the largest employer in Southern California with over 100,000 employees in 39 departments, we provide vital and diverse public services like law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, and cultural activities.

The County has more than 2,100 different job types, offering a lifetime of opportunities and careers! We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee. Join us and discover one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the county with a rich selection of health care options, robust retirement plans and the flexibility to work, relax, and rejuvenate to reach your fullest personal and professional potential.

For more information about our amazing benefits, please visit us here: https://hr.lacounty.gov/benefits/

• Cultivates, fertilizes, trims, and cleans planted areas adjacent to public buildings, golf courses, parks, and beaches using such tools as weed whips, backpack type blowers, and hedge trimmers.
• Mows, edges, and sweeps park and public building lawns using rider mowers and other gasoline and manually powered equipment.
• Pots, plants, transplants, fertilizes, sprays, prunes, and waters flowers, shrubs, and trees.
• Sweeps, mops, and waxes floors, washes windows, empties waste baskets, removes wall writing and cleans restrooms of structures associated with parks, beaches, or other public facilities.
• Under close supervision, prepares mixes, and applies non-restricted pesticides; may apply restricted chemicals under supervision of a certified applicator.
• Sharpens, cleans, paints, and cares for powered and hand operated tools and equipment.
• Prepares grounds for athletic events by performing activities such as watering and dragging baseball diamonds.
• Patches golf course greens, moves tees, cleans sand traps, and cares for sod patches.
• Sets up and dismantles tables and chairs at various public facilities, as needed.
• Assists in demonstrating work tasks to Grounds Maintenance Helper program participants, as needed.
• Drives automobile equipment to and from work sites, as needed.

For more information, please view the classification specification: GROUNDS MAINTENANCE WORKER I

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY

A certificate* in Grounds Maintenance Worker Preparation Program certified by the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Preparing Los Angeles for County Employment (PLACE) within the last 12 months.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION

*To receive credit for the certificate, applicants must upload a copy of their DEO PLACE certificate at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from the filing period. Please submit documentation to [e-mail] and indicate your name, the exam name, and the exam number. We do not accept password‑protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

WITHHOLD INFORMATION

No withhold will be allowed. Required certification must be fully met at the time of filing, and clearly indicated on the application.

LICENSE REQUIRED

A valid California Class C Driver License** is required. Note: Successful applicants for positions that require driving must obtain and present a copy of their driving record from the California State Department of Motor Vehicles before final appointment. Applicants should not present a copy of their driving history until asked to do so by the hiring department. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether an applicant's driving history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job. License must not be currently suspended, restricted, or revoked.

**To get credit for your valid California Class C driver license, a picture of your valid license must be attached at the time of application or emailed to [e-mail] within seven (7) calendar days from the filing period. Please include the exam number and the exam title.

PHYSICAL CLASS 3 - MODERATE

This class requires that the incumbent stand or walk most of the time with bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, working on irregular surfaces, occasional lifting of objects weighing over 25 pounds, and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds.

EXAMINATION CONTENT

Once we have determined that you meet the requirements, we will invite you to take this examination which will consist of multiple choice and/or simulation assessment(s) weighted 100% covering: Safety Orientation, Achievement, Teamwork, Responsibility, Mechanical Comprehension, and Following Instructions.

MULTIPLE-CHOICE AND/OR SIMULATION ASSESSMENTS

ARE NOT REVIEWABLE BY CANDIDATES PER CIVIL SERVICE RULE 7.19.

Applicants must meet the requirements and receive a passing score of 70% or higher on the examination in order to be placed on the list.

All notices will be sent electronically to your e-mail address.

Test scores cannot be given over the telephone.

TRANSFER OF TEST COMPONENTS

If you recently took identical components for other exams, the test responses may be automatically transferred to this examination. This exam contains test components that might be used on future exams, and your responses could be transferred to that exam.

TEST PREPARATION

We provide study guides and other test preparation resources to help candidates prepare for employment tests. While the guides may help in preparing for the test, we recommend reviewing all related materials that seem necessary.

• Various information can be found on our website at https://hr.lacounty.gov/job-search-toolkit/. The section dedicated to test preparation is "Employment Test Assistance".
• Online practice tests are available at https://www.shl.com/shldirect/en/practice-tests/. You can also visit our Los Angeles County Online Assessment Preparation Series webpage at https://lacounty.attract.neogov.com/la-county-online-assessments-prep-series for information about common online assessment types, sample questions, and test‑taking tips.

ELIGIBILITY AND VACANCY INFORMATION

Applicants who passed the assessment(s) are placed on a list in the order of their score group for a period of 12 months. Applications will be processed as they are received and added to the list accordingly. We will use this list to fill vacancies in the Department of Beaches and Harbors, and to fill vacancies within other Los Angeles County's other departments.

PASSING THIS EXAMINATION AND BEING PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE LIST DOES NOT GUARANTEE AN OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT.

AVAILABLE SHIFT

Any

SPECIAL INFORMATION

Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.

For those who do not have access to a computer or the internet, we provide access to complete an application at public libraries throughout the county.

All applicants must file their application using their own user ID and password. Using a family member or friend’s user ID and password may erase a candidate’s original application record.

ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI)

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. We are committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS

If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the assessment process, you will be given the opportunity to make a request when completing your application. Please note, you may be required to submit documentation from a qualified medical provider or other qualified professional to support your request for a testing accommodation.

Testing Accommodation Email

[e-mail]

Testing Accommodations Coordinator Phone

[phone]

Teletype Phone

[phone]

California Relay Services Phone

[phone]

Exam Number

R0352F-R

Department Contact Name: Kat Macaranas

Department Contact Phone: [phone]

Department Contact Email: [e-mail]