Groundsworker

The California State University; Fullerton (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans including prescription

Dental and Vision coverage

Income protection and life insurance

CalPERS retirement

Tuition waiver for employees

Job summary

California State University, Fullerton seeks a Groundsworker to maintain campus grounds, gardens, and outdoor facilities. The role emphasizes safety, teamwork, and reliable performance in a university setting.

The position requires knowledge of gardening methods and the ability to operate landscape equipment, read instructions, and collaborate with campus teams to keep outdoor areas inviting and safe.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of general gardening and grounds maintenance methods.
• Ability to recognize common ornamental plants and care for hedges, trees, shrubs, lawns, and flowers.
• Read and write at a level appropriate to duties; follow simple oral and written instructions.

Responsibilities

• Perform general gardening/landscape maintenance on campus grounds.
• Demonstrate a methodical approach with high safety awareness and PPE.
• Support campus beautification and provide excellent customer service to students, faculty, and staff.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Safety awareness

PPE usage

Operate small trucks

Read & follow instructions

Tools

Lawn equipment

Small engine powered tools

Forklift up to 3000 lbs

Job description

Position Description

Job Title

Groundsworker

Classification

Groundsworker

Auto Req. ID

560898

Salary Range

(Hiring range depending on qualifications, not anticipated to exceed $3,461 - $4,752 per month)

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 5:00 AM - 1:30 PM (Depending on the operational needs of the department, alternative shift times may be available.)

Why CSUF

California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) is a leading public university committed to student success, academic excellence, and inclusive excellence. The university fosters a collaborative environment that supports teaching, research, and service while promoting innovation and professional growth. Cal State Fullerton is both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, and a recipient of the Seal of Excelencia (2021 and 2024) from Excelencia in Education. Joining Cal State Fullerton means becoming part of a community dedicated to advancing student achievement, career success, and economic mobility.

Department

Facilities Management within the Division of Administration and Finance is committed to planning, developing, and maintaining a safe, sustainable, and high-quality learning and working environment for the campus community. Facilities Management provides oversight of university resources and assets and is responsible for the development of the University’s facilities including land use planning, capital improvement, project development, construction, as well as facilities operations and maintenance including custodial services, landscape services, building trade services, mechanical and electrical, and recycling services. We seek an exceptional individual to join our Landscape Services team as the Groundsworker. The ideal candidate in this role should have a positive attitude and an active, energetic mind characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to inclusivity, openness, flexibility, integrity, and kindness.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under general supervision of the Landscape Services Manager, or their designee, for Capital Programs and Facilities Management (CPFM), the Groundsworker performs general gardening/landscape maintenance services to campus grounds in assigned areas of campus (including fields, lawns, trees, shrubs, raised beds, parking lots, and parking structures). The Groundsworker will demonstrate a methodical and organized approach to completing work assignments, involving a high level of safety awareness. This position is highly safety conscious, disciplined in proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The Groundsworker offers excellent customer service and is always courteous of student, faculty, and staff customers. An employee best suited for this landscape role is one who is defined by their dedication to the quality of their work, dependability, and reliability.

This is a key position which cares for campus beautification to support the university’s mission, vision, and values in higher education. This position will interact with various groups of individuals. The Groundsworker works well in a team environment and understands the balance of sharing duties, taking ownership, and will take the initiative to complete tasks as needed. This position takes pride in every aspect of their work to create and maintain an excellent learning environment at Cal State University Fullerton. The Groundsworker thrives in a university environment where staff are empowered for personal growth and supported in professional growth. This position will align to Landscape Services values - respect, integrity, trust, growth, and teamwork. Other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications

Thorough knowledge of general gardening and grounds maintenance methods. General knowledge of proper methods of planting, cultivating, and caring for hedges, ornamental trees, shrubs, lawns, and flowers, and the 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; perform strenuous physical work as described in this classification; utilize mechanical aptitude and motor coordination; learn to skillfully operate small trucks and power-driven grounds equipment; read and write at a level appropriate to the duties of the position; and follow simple oral and written instructions. One year of experience in the care and maintenance of landscaped areas or in general grounds maintenance work, or in related manual labor.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to complete the background check satisfactorily may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous experience in a landscape position for a large facility. Ability to operate small engine powered equipment, large turf equipment, skip loader, tractors, and forklift up to 3000-pound capacity. Knowledge of sports turf and sports fields. Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills. Ability to read and write in English in order to understand and follow verbal instructions and communicate with coworkers and customer's directions, work with customers, and direct the work of others. Ability to use a computer and enter information. Excellent customer service skills.

Ability to perform manual labor for an extended period. Working outdoors, exposed to various weather conditions. May be required to work overtime and varied shifts during athletic events season. Ability to push, pull, lift, and carry up to fifty pounds with or without accommodation as needed. Ability to discriminate colors. Will carry a Master key.

Benefits at a Glance

• An array of health plans that include prescription drug coverage
• Dental and Vision coverage
• Income protection benefits including life insurance and disability
• Retirement plan through CalPERS
• Tuition waiver for employees and dependents if eligible

California State University, Fullerton is committed to fostering an environment where students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. We welcome individuals ready to make an impact on student and staff success to apply and become part of the Titan Community. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Cal State Fullerton is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination based on regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or any other protected status.

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Multiple positions may be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of the applicant pool.

If you are applying for a staff position, please note that you are not eligible to work concurrently in a staff position and an Academic Student position such as a Graduate Assistant, Teaching Associate, Instructional Student Assistant, or Student Assistant position.

Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment.

Employee/applicant who applies for a position may be required to successfully complete job-related performance test(s) as part of the selection process.

California State University, Fullerton is not currently sponsoring anynewH-1B petitions for staff, management, or faculty positions.

Effective October 1, 2025, the California State University (CSU) will implement a salary step structure for CSUEU-represented employees in bargaining units 2, 5, 7, and 9. This position may be subject to changes resulting from this implementation, in alignment with the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.

Advertised: Aug 20 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Sep 03 2026 Pacific Daylight Time