Grounds Worker II

Contra Costa Community College District; Pleasant Hill, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 58,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Contra Costa Community College District invites applications for a Grounds Worker II in the Maintenance & Operations department. This is a full-time, non-exempt position with a 40-hour week, Monday–Friday, 6:00 AM–2:30 PM.

Starting pay is $57,828 per year (step 1) with progression to $70,440 (step 5) based on experience and salary guidelines. The role involves skilled landscaping, turf maintenance, irrigation system work, and operation of a range of equipment across campus grounds, including

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience performing grounds work or similar duties, including operating maintenance equipment and maintaining irrigation systems.
• High school diploma or GED or the equivalent.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, forklift operator’s certificate.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a pesticide applicators certificate.

Responsibilities

• Plants, waters, weed, trims, fertilizes, restores and mows lawns, shrubs, trees and flower beds.
• Operates routine maintenance on irrigation equipment and landscaping tools.
• Performs preventive maintenance on landscape maintenance tools and equipment.
• Drives vehicles to transport materials and equipment as required.

Skills

Operate machinery

Heavy lifting

Education

High school diploma / GED

Driver's license

Forklift operator’s certificate

Pesticide applicators certificate

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

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.

Position Title

Position Title Grounds Worker II

Special Instructions to Applicants

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.

Our Vision for Social Justice

We are seeking people who recognize the critical role community colleges play in social justice, who have ability in this space, enthusiasm for this work, ideas and vision to improve our approaches, and a commitment to achieving equitable academic success for the 50,000+ students attending our five beautiful colleges and centers. Our social justice work calls for employees who have a sense of social responsibility, interest in our community and world in which we live.
The intention of social justice work is to strengthen humanity by understanding that every person deserves the benefits of fully participating in our society and institutions.
Academic researchers have illustrated that crucial social justice principles are a compilation of equality, equity, diversity, inclusion, engagement, environmental sustainability and human rights. These complex principles are challenging to operationalize in higher education; yet we are steadfast in our diligence to forge ahead to advance this vital mission.
Community colleges are uniquely positioned to lead higher education in the work of social justice. Many of our students come from historically underserved and underrepresented backgrounds; students of color, students with recent immigrant histories, students from cycles of low income if not poverty, students from indigenous communities, and students from first‑generation families.
The idea of promoting social mobility through education is unconditionally and uncompromisingly embraced by community colleges. This is an exciting role, and it comes with a heavy responsibility. Simply put, we need to create environments where our students achieve greater academic success, so much so that we close our persistent equity/opportunity gaps.
If you are committed to social and racial justice and if you are interested in joining a community dedicated to solving these inequities through education,

Recruitment Type:

Recruitment Type: Open (Internal and External applicants)

Location

Posting Number

Posting Number 0002358

# of Openings

# of Openings 2

Range

Range 53

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

Position Status

Position Status Permanent

Overtime Status

Overtime Status Non-Exempt (eligible)

Position

Position Full-Time

If temporary, employment duration: N/A

# of Hours Scheduled Per Week

# of Hours Scheduled Per Week 40

Work Schedule By Day and Work Hours

Monday – Friday
6:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Shift Differential %

Shift Differential % N/A

# of Months

# of Months 12

Non-work Periods:

Non-work Periods: N/A

EEO Job Category

EEO Job Category Service/Maintenance

Employee Group

Employee Group Classified

Department

Department D2010-Maintenance & Operations

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.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

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.

Minimum Qualification-Skill To

N/A

Minimum Qualification-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

1. Knowledge of all required landscape equipment, such as edgers, blowers, push
mowers, riding mower, grass sweeper and backhoe.
2. Irrigation systems installation, maintenance and repair.
3. Turf management and lawn care.
4. Tree, shrub, and plant identification and care.

Job Open Date:

Job Open Date: 10/06/2026

Job Close Date:

Job Close Date: 10/23/2026

Open Until Filled No

Foreign Degree and Credit Statement:

In accordance with the Human Resources Procedure 3050.05, all foreign degrees and credits used to meet the minimum qualifications must be evaluated by an approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( NACES ) agency www.naces.org prior to the implementation of the equivalency process. You must upload your evaluation with your application when you apply for this position to be considered. We cannot accept foreign degree evaluations after the closing date. The candidate bears all responsibility and costs associated with obtaining the evaluation.

Employee Benefits:

Insurance: The district offers health, vision, dental and life insurance for monthly classified employees and managers/supervisors and their eligible dependents.
Monthly classified employees and managers/supervisors covered by another health medical plan may waive District coverage and receive a monthly cash stipend.

Retirement: Most employees are members of the PERS (Public Employees Retirement System). Faculty employees and Academic Managers are members of the STRS (State Teachers Retirement System).
Police Service employees are members of Safety Public Employees Retirement System.

Deferred Compensation: The District offers two optional deferred compensation plans. Eligible employees have a choice of the 457, 403b plans and a selection of savings and investment options.

Leave Allowance: The District offers monthly eligible classified employees and managers/supervisors a generous vacation and sick leave benefits as well as 20 paid holidays annually (which can vary based on length of winter break).

Additional Benefits: The District also offers monthly eligible classified employees and managers/supervisors educational reimbursements, employee assistance programs, a travel assistance plan, longevity compensation, retiree benefits, employee discounts on health memberships and a comprehensive wellness program.

For further information regarding benefits eligibility and details please refer to the following documents available on the 4CD website

POST OFFER PRE-PLACEMENT EVALUATION PROGRAM (PEP)

All job offers of employment are conditional upon the applicant’s satisfactory results of the Post Offer Pre-Placement Evaluation Program. This involves a physical strength test to demonstrate a minimum level of strength to perform the essential duties of the job. There is no charge for this service. Please do not make an appointment for testing until you have received notification from the Human Resources Department after a job offer is extended. The positions we currently evaluate are: Building Maintenance Worker, Custodian I and II, Lead Custodian, Cook, Food Services Assistant, Food Services Supervisor, Food Services Supply Clerk, Food Services Coordinator, Grounds Worker/ Gardener I and II, Senior/ Lead Grounds Worker/Gardener, Lead Maintenance Mechanic, Senior Equipment Maintenance Worker. If you are not hired in a listed classification, you may disregard this notification.

ADA Accommodations:

In conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, requests for reasonable accommodations may be made to [e-mail] . For administrative purposes, requests must be made at the time of application.

It is the District’s policy to ensure that all qualified applicants for employment and employees have full and equal access to employment opportunity, and are not subjected to discrimination in any program or activity of the District on the basis of ethnic group identity, race, color, ancestry, religion, marital status, sex, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, parental status, citizenship or because an individual is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

Supplemental Questions

• Tell us how you meet the minimum job experience qualification of: Two (2) years of experience performing grounds work or similar duties, including operating maintenance equipment and maintaining irrigation systems. (Open Ended Question)
• Describe your experience performing grounds maintenance duties, including mowing, edging, pruning, planting, and irrigation system maintenance and repair. (Open Ended Question)
• What type grounds maintenance equipment have you operated? Please describe your level of experience with each. (Open Ended Question)
• Tell us about your experience maintaining irrigation systems. What type of repairs or troubleshooting have you performed? (Open Ended Question)
• Describe your experience identifying and caring for trees, shrubs, turf and other landscape materials. (Open Ended Question)

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Other Certification
• Unofficial Transcript 2
• Unofficial Transcript 3

Contra Costa Community College District
District Office
500 Court Street
Martinez, CA 94553

Candidate Employment Notice:The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Public Law 99-603, requires that employers obtain documentation from every new employee which authorizes that individual to accept employment in this country.