Grounds Worker II

Contra Costa Community College District; Martinez (CA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Contra Costa Community College District is seeking skilled Grounds Workers to perform a variety of landscaping and turf maintenance duties on campus grounds at Diablo Valley College. The role involves operating maintenance equipment, installing irrigation and applying herbicides, and handling routine field maintenance.

Qualified candidates will have at least 2 years of grounds work experience, a high school diploma or GED, and valid certifications including a California driver’s license,

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Plants, waters, weeds, trims, fertilizes, restores and mows lawns, shrubs, trees and flower beds.
• Aerates lawns and rake leaves; cleans walkways, fields, courts and other facilities; loads trimming on trucks.
• Performs routine preventive maintenance on equipment, including mowing equipment, vehicles and hand and power tools.
• Performs routine maintenance on irrigation equipment; installs sprinkler system.
• 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.

Skills

Operate equipment

Herbicide application

Heavy lifting

Follow directions

Preventive maintenance

Irrigation systems

Electrical diagnosis

Teamwork

Diversity awareness

Education

High school diploma/GED

California driver’s license

Forklift certificate

Pesticide applicator certificate

Job description

Posting Number: 0002358

Location: Diablo Valley College

Salary: YEARLY: $57,828, step 1 - $70,440, step 5 (see special instructions for initial step placement)

Position Definition

To perform a variety of skilled landscaping and turf maintenance duties; and to operate a variety of equipment in maintenance of campus grounds.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Grounds Worker I - Positions in this classification are task focused and require a basic understanding of landscaping and turf maintenance duties. Employees are trained on specific work activities with little latitude to vary work sequence.

Grounds Worker II - Positions in this classification provide skilled landscaping and turf maintenance, including gardening care and grounds maintenance involving trees, lawns, turf, shrubs, hedges, ground cover, flowers and athletic fields.

Grounds Worker, Lead - Positions in this classification act as a lead and provide direction to lower- level staff in general gardening care and grounds maintenance at a college site, including the care and upkeep of a variety of athletic facilities. Provides guidance and instruction on techniques, methods and procedures for accomplishing assigned tasks and solving problems.

Examples of Duties/Essential Functions

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plants, waters, weeds, trims, fertilizes, restores and mows lawns, shrubs, trees and flower beds.


• Aerates lawns and rake leaves; cleans walkways, fields, courts and other facilities; loads trimming 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 system.


• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

Education/Experience:

Two (2) years of experience performing grounds work or similar duties, including operating maintenance equipment and maintaining irrigation systems.

EDUCATION/LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE:

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 Of:

Basic methods, tools, materials and equipment used in grounds maintenance work.

Safe work practices.

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.

Personal protective equipment.

Ability To:

Skill/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 weighing up to 50 pounds.

Follow verbal and written directions.

Perform preventative maintenance on landscape maintenance tools and equipment.

Install irrigation clocks and systems.

Analyze and diagnose electrical and wiring problems.

Establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.

Demonstrate 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, and with all individuals encountered in the performance of required duties.

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of all required landscape equipment, such as edgers, blowers, push mowers, riding mower, grass sweeper and backhoe.


• Irrigation systems installation, maintenance and repair.


• Turf management and lawn care.


• Tree, shrub, and plant identification and care.

Special Instructions

NOTE: New employees will be placed at the first step which is $57,828 per year, second step $60,756 per year or third step at $63,828 per year (depending upon experience). Based on current salary placement guidelines, all step increases for which an employee becomes eligible shall take place on July 1st of each fiscal year. These increases will occur, on annual basis, until the maximum step of $70,440 per year is reached on the salary schedule.

Job Close Date: 10/23/2026

Open Until Filled: No