Groundsworker I

Kings-County; Hanford (CA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kings County Public Works Department is seeking qualified Groundsworker I to maintain lawns and landscaped areas in County parks and properties. This entry‑level role involves learning routine landscaping tasks and supporting maintenance crews while gaining experience.

Responsibilities include mowing, pruning, planting, irrigation, site cleanup, and assisting with park operations. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent, six months of grounds work experience, and a valid

Qualifications

• Groundsworker I requires completion of the twelfth grade.
• Six months of general gardening or grounds work experience.
• Possession of a valid California driver's license at the time of appointment.
• Qualify for security clearance and pass DOT‑mandated drug and alcohol testing.
• Ability to work on‑call and travel across the County.

Responsibilities

• Maintain lawns and landscaped areas in County parks and properties.
• Fertilize, weed control, seeding, watering and mowing as required.
• Plant, prune, and maintain trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf; manage debris.
• Install and service irrigation and sprinkler systems.
• Open/close parks, staff ticket booths, and assist the public as needed.

Education

Groundsworker I education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Job description

The Kings County Public Works Department is currently seeking qualified individuals for the position of:

Groundsworker I

$37,814.40 - $46,134.40 Annually

We’re looking for motivated individuals to join our team as Groundsworker I. In this role, you will maintain lawns and landscaped areas in and around County parks and properties, while working alongside volunteer and alternative work crews. This is an entry-level position where you’ll learn and perform routine landscaping and maintenance tasks, with opportunities to take on more complex assignments as you gain experience.

• Performs a variety of grounds maintenance activities in County parks and properties; conducts fertilizing, weed control, seeding and water procedures; mows, trims, and edges lawns, turf, and other areas.
• Plants, trims, and prunes trees, shrubbery, flowers, sod and turf; removes unwanted trees and stumps; splits and stacks wood; prepares larger tree limbs for chipping or hauling; conducts general clean‑up of trash clippings, leaves, and debris; weeds flower beds and other landscaped areas; mixes and applies pesticides and/or herbicides to landscaped areas and soil.
• Fertilizes vegetation in landscaped areas and stakes trees and shrubs as required; places landscape boulders and spreads decorative materials in landscaped areas.
• Installs, programs, maintains and repairs manual and automated water sprinkler systems.
• Cleans park buildings including restroom and recreation areas; sweeps and mops floors, wipes and sanitizes tables, chairs, countertops, sinks and toilets in all indoor facilities; washes down all outdoor tables and seating areas, pressure washes sidewalks, cleans barbeque grills and empties garbage cans and utility trailers; paints facilities and equipment.
• As assigned, oversees, transports, and controls the work of incarcerated individuals, welfare‑to‑work, and/or other volunteer workers and alternative work forces, including assignments, oversight, training and instruction in safe, efficient operation of tools and equipment.
• Prepares, mixes, pours, and finishes concrete to form curbing and walkways.
• Assists Park Caretakers in opening and closing County parks; prepares reserved areas; staffs ticket booth and performs cashiering duties; answers questions and provides general assistance to the public.
• Establishes and maintains equipment servicing records.
• Operates and maintains a variety of hand tools and power equipment.
• Observes safe work methods and utilizes safety equipment.
• May exercise indirect supervision to lower‑level, volunteers, and alternate workforces.
• As assigned, may provide technical knowledge, training, and/or direction to groundsworkers, park aides, other lower‑level staff, or alternative workforce individuals.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry‑level (I Level) positions.

Please note: Work experience for the last 15 years must be included in the work history portion of your application. It is also important that your application show all the relevant education and experience that you possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years. A resume may be attached, but is not a substitute for completing the application and supplemental questions. Failure to submit a completed application may eliminate you from the recruitment.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education and Experience

Education:

• Groundsworker I: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Experience:

• Groundsworker I: Six (6) months of experience in general gardening or grounds work.

Licenses and Certifications

Licenses:

• Groundsworker I: Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.

Special Requirements

Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check. Incumbents are required to submit to pre‑employment, on‑going random and other DOT‑mandated drug and alcohol testing as a condition of employment. Qualify for deputization by the County Sheriff’s office. Ability to work on‑call duty on a rotational basis including nights, weekends, or holidays as assigned. Travel extensively throughout the County to outlying buildings and facilities.

All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the selection process may include the following:

• (1) Screening committee (pass/fail) and/or
• (2) Written examination (pass/fail) and/or
• (3) Oral examination (100%). This may include a written practical component (100%) to determine placement on the eligible list.
• Note: Those applicants who are among the top 40 written test scores will be invited to participate in the oral examination process.

Veteran's Preference Available Upon Request

You must submit a certified DD‑214 and a new request form for each application submission prior to the closing date.

Tentative Recruitment Process

• Closing Date: September 9, 2026
• SME Review: Week of September 14, 2026
• Human Resources Oral Boards: September 23, 2026 & September 24, 2026
• Department Interview: TBD