Laborer/Gardener (8097C), Facilities Services - #87675

University of California, Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 45,460 - 56,481; Full time

Job summary

UC Berkeley is seeking a Laborer/Gardener to maintain campus landscapes and surrounding properties. This full-time, on-site role supports Facilities Services through landscape maintenance, construction/repair, and safety tasks across multiple outdoor duties.

The ideal candidate will operate landscape equipment, read and follow English instructions, interact well with a diverse campus community, and be available for overtime and weekend work in varied weather, adhering to safety guidelines.

Qualifications

• Know-how to operate landscape maintenance equipment such as lawnmower, edger, weed whip, blower, hedge trimmers, sprayers, aerator, etc.
• Ability to read, write and follow oral/written instructions provided in English.
• Ability to interact with campus community in a multi-cultural environment.
• Twelve months of experience in grounds operation or equivalent training preferred.
• Must be able to drive small trucks.
• Must be able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Must be available to respond to emergencies and work overtime or on weekends/holidays.
• Adhere to Facilities Services work rules and safety guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Landscape maintenance including weed control, pruning, mulching, and irrigation system support.
• Landscape construction/repair including soil prep, planting, turf care, and irrigation work.
• Beat policing/inspection duties including litter removal and hazard reporting.
• Irrigation maintenance such as head/valve cleaning and minor repairs.
• Tree maintenance including pruning and thinning up to 25 feet.
• Miscellaneous duties like drainage cleaning, power washing, and emergency tree support.
• Maintain safety compliance and participate in safety trainings.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Skills

Landscape equipment operation

English literacy

Interpersonal skills

Drive small trucks

Outdoor work

Tools

Lawnmower

Edger

Weed whipper

Blower

Hedge trimmers

Sprayers

Aerator

Sod cutter

Job description

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

Departmental Overview

Facilities Services works to continuously improve the campus in partnership with all members of the University community to ensure that classrooms, laboratories, and offices support teaching, learning and research. Through the efforts of over 400 dedicated staff members and serving over 10 Million square feet of building space and 1100 acres, Facilities Services includes the asset management program, custodial services, maintenance operations, engineering and technical services, environmental services, grounds operations, and the Cal Zero Waste program.

Position Summary

In this position, the Laborer/Gardener maintains the campus landscape and surrounding university properties.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: August 5, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE - 35%

• Perform weeding: cultivation: ground cover pruning: vine and shrub pruning: mulching: leaf pickup; watering by manual sprinklers, hose and spike, portable sprinklers
• and supplementing automatic systems. Assist tree crew with sucker removal: brush pickup and chipping. Assist mowing crew with power mowers, edging and blowing clippings off hardscape.

LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION/REPAIR - 10%

• Perform demolition: soil preparation, including amendment, rototilling and grading; install plant material; install and/or repair header boards; renovate turf-scalp, overseed top dress and/or lay sod. Assist with installation, repair and/or relocation of grounds furnishings; erosion control. Assist with installation and repair of irrigation systems.

BEAT POLICING/INSPECTION - 25%

• Pick up and remove litter and debris: empty trash boxes and replace as necessary: strip poster and flyers, etc. from all non-designated structures. Inspect and observe beat and report problems to proper personnel regarding: irrigation, pest infestations, tree hazards; surfaces and furnishings in need of repair and/or replacement; safety hazards; general landscape problems (stressed or declining plants including trees, erosion, etc.); and vandalism/graffiti.

IRRIGATION MAINTENANCE - 5%

• Perform head/valve cleaning. Fill in holes and low spots around heads. Perform minor head adjustments and/or repairs.

TREE MAINTENANCE - 5%

• Perform tree trimming and thinning, up to 25', utilizing ladders and appropriate safety equipment; tree pollarding (i.e. sycamores); small tree removal and brush chipping and removal.

MISCELLANEOUS DUTIES - 10%

• Clean drain covers and catch basins; clean building entrances and pathways, power washing hardscape, operate power mowers, and clean window wells. Perform creek-bed clean-up; road cleaning; hillside maintenance (brush and weed cutting and litter pickup); fire trail maintenance; log splitting and other related tasks. Assist tree crew in emergency situations.

SAFETY - 5%

• Adhere to all university and departmental safety guidelines. Attend job-related and safety training as required.

OTHER - 5%

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge and ability to properly operate, and provide daily/weekly basic maintenance of landscape maintenance equipment such as: lawnmower, edger, weed whip, blower, vacuum, hedge trimmers, splitter, stump grinder, sprayers, aerator, verticutter, turf aerator, sod cutter, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to read, write and follow oral/written instructions provided in English.
• Ability to interact in a positive manner with campus community, including students, building managers, academic personnel, and craft personnel, in a multi-cultural environment.
• Knowledge of ANSI A 300 Part 1-Standard Pruning Practices.
• Twelve months of experience in a grounds operation; or an equivalent·combination of training and experience preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of methods, materials, tools, equipment used in grounds work and safe work practices.
• Must be able to drive small trucks.
• Must be able to work cooperatively in a group setting.
• Ability to work outdoors in fluctuating and/or extreme weather conditions.
• Must be available to respond to emergencies and work occasional overtime and on weekends/holidays.
• Adhere to Facilities Services work rules and Code of Conduct.
• Employee is personally responsible for following health and safety guidelines/instructions.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $32.96 - $40.98, Step 10 - 22.

• This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

Driving Required

Required to hold a valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Service Unit (SX) between the University of California and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/sx/index.html
• This position has two openings.
• This is an on-site position at the University of California, Berkeley.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Physical Exam

Employment is contingent upon passing a physical exam.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

“Misconduct” Means Any Violation Of The Policies Or Laws Governing Conduct At The Applicant’s Previous Place Of Employment, Including, But Not Limited To, Violations Of Policies Or Laws Prohibiting Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Or Other Forms Of Misconduct, Discrimination, Dishonesty, Or Unethical Conduct, As Defined By The Employer. For Reference, Below Are UC’s Policies Addressing Some Forms Of Misconduct

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.