Groundskeeper

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 37,952 - 56,357; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Exceptional health and retirement benefits

Tuition Assistance Program

Vacation and sick leave

Parental bonding leave

Pet insurance

Job summary

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is seeking a Groundskeeper to maintain its beautiful grounds and support vegetation management. Key responsibilities include lawn care, tree and shrub pruning, and general landscape upkeep. The ideal candidate will have experience in landscaping, a valid driver's license, and the ability to lift heavy items.

This full-time position offers competitive hourly pay and excellent benefits, contributing to an organization tied to 17 Nobel Prizes.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of experience working on landscaping.
• Valid California driver’s license.
• Ability to communicate clearly in writing and orally.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine grounds maintenance.
• Operate and maintain landscaping equipment.
• Follow all safety and environmental regulations.

Skills

Landscaping

Communication

Physical fitness

Tools

Power mowers

Landscaping equipment

Job description

Job Overview

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Facilities Division is hiring a Groundskeeper to maintain laboratory grounds and support the lab's vegetation management plan. The role involves lawn care, tree and shrub pruning, planting, watering, and general landscape upkeep, working independently on routine tasks to support the Lab's mission.

Why Join Berkeley Lab?

Work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes and contribute to addressing global challenges.

Benefits

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K‑style plans
• Opportunities to grow in your career – check out the Tuition Assistance Program
• A culture where you'll belong – we are invested in our teams
• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year
• Parental bonding leave for both mothers and fathers
• Pet insurance

You Will Do

• Perform routine grounds maintenance, including planting, mowing, pruning, watering, weeding, debris removal, and site cleanup
• Operate and maintain landscaping equipment such as trimmers, mowers, and leaf blowers; keep tools, vehicles, and work areas organized
• Assist with irrigation repair, vegetation installation, traffic control, parking enforcement, and other grounds‑related duties
• Follow all DOE, federal, state, local, and Laboratory safety, environmental, and emergency‑preparedness regulations
• Use appropriate PPE, identify and report hazards, stop unsafe work when necessary, and ensure safety procedures are followed
• Maintain required operational, safety, and quality- assurance records
• Minimize exposure to hazardous materials and support waste reduction and environmental compliance efforts
• Drive pickup trucks and passenger vehicles to job sites
• Participate in pre‑job briefings and use CMMS systems for work orders (e.g., I–Pads, Maximo)

Requirements

• At least 1 year of experience working on landscaping
• Valid California driver’s license and ability to drive a pick‑up truck, passenger cars or similar vehicles
• Basic knowledge of plant identification, horticultural practices, irrigation systems, and safe use of pesticides; ability to maintain plants, shrubs, trees, hedges, flowers and lawns; working knowledge of sprinkler systems
• High level of physical fitness, including ability to climb up and down steep hillsides
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, scaffolds, work at heights, in confined spaces, around rotating equipment, under fluorescent lights; able to bend, stoop, kneel, crawl, have manual dexterity; lift 50 lbs. to chest height and carry up to 100 feet up or down inclines/stairs. Ability to stand for long periods (up to 8 hours)
• Ability to operate power mowers and a variety of grounds‑keeping equipment or tools
• Ability to communicate clearly in writing, orally, over telephone and by two‑way radio
• Demonstrated ability to use computers effectively for record‑keeping and communication; ability to quickly write presentable reports and memoranda on computer

Desired Skills / Knowledge

• Completion of training courses in shop work or maintenance work is desirable
• Knowledge of LBL facilities layout, key personnel, procedures governing store issues, safety program and facilities design requirements; all will be required after employment

Additional Information

• Appointment type: full‑time career appointment, non‑exempt (hourly paid), eligible for overtime pay
• Salary range: hourly range $27.55 – $40.91, based on step schedule and candidate qualifications and experience
• Work hours: 6 am – 2:30 pm
• Background check: position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they relate to responsibilities and requirements; conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant
• Work modality: primarily performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites
• Relocation: position is not eligible for relocation assistance
• Work authorization: must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire; visa sponsorship is not available for this position
• Union represented: the position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes

Learn More About Working at Berkeley Lab

Visit careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity

Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.