Landscape Technician 2

Rubicon Programs; Richmond (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision plans

3 weeks vacation and 13 paid holidays

Paid restorative days (Christmas–New Y

Employer sponsored retirement plan

Company uniform with laundering

Advancement opportunities

Job summary

Rubicon Programs is seeking a Landscape Technician II in Richmond, CA. You will perform installation, irrigation, and maintenance tasks with minimal supervision, operating a wide range of landscape equipment and ensuring safety and quality across projects.

Qualified candidates have 2+ years in landscape work, ability to read plans and orders, and bilingual English/Spanish communication. This is a full-time, year-round role with growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of commercial landscape installation, enhancement, irrigation, or maintenance experience.
• Ability to read and interpret work orders, project specifications, and basic landscape plans.
• Conversational proficiency in both English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Install trees, shrubs, groundcover, annuals, and other plant materials per plans.
• Prepare planting areas with grading, soil amendment, excavation, and finish work.
• Install sod, seed, mulch, edging, and other landscape materials.
• Assist with site improvements including grading, compacting, leveling, and pathway prep.
• Install, modify, and test irrigation systems; report deficiencies or water waste.
• Perform mowing, edging, pruning, blowing, weed control, and seasonal maintenance.
• Operate and maintain equipment safely; follow safety policies and PPE rules.
• Mentor Landscape Technician I; communicate project progress to crew leads.

Skills

Landscape experience

Equipment operation

English/Spanish

Work orders interpretation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Landscape Technician 2

The Landscape Technician II performs skilled landscape installation, enhancement, irrigation, and maintenance services with limited supervision. This position independently completes assigned work, operates a broad range of commercial landscape equipment, troubleshoots routine field issues, and maintains high standards of safety and workmanship. Landscape Technician II employees serve as experienced crew members who provide guidance to newer technicians while supporting efficient project completion and exceptional customer service.

Rubicon uses E- Verify to validate the eligibility of our new employees to work legally in the United States.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Landscape Installation & Enhancement

• Install trees, shrubs, groundcover, annuals, and other plant materials according to project plans and specifications.
• Prepare planting areas through basic grading, soil amendment, excavation, and finish work.
• Install sod, seed, mulch, decorative rock, edging, and other landscape materials.
• Assist with site improvements, including basic grading, compacting, leveling, and preparation of decomposed granite pathways and seating areas.
• Basic knowledge of retaining walls, drainage, and related features.
• Assist with the removal of existing landscape materials, irrigation components, concrete, and debris as directed.
• Assist with project mobilization, site preparation, material staging, and final site cleanup.

Irrigation

• Assist with the installation, modification, and testing of irrigation systems, including trenching and installing pipe, sprinkler heads, and drip systems according to specifications.
• Identify and report irrigation deficiencies or water waste

Landscape Maintenance

• Perform mowing, edging, trimming, pruning, blowing, weed management, litter removal, and seasonal landscape maintenance.
• Monitor plant health and identify irrigation issues, pests, diseases, and safety hazards.
• Perform detailed pruning and specialty maintenance requiring advanced technical skills.
• Independently prioritize assigned work while maintaining high quality standards.
• Maintain clean, professional, and safe job sites.

Equipment & Safety

• Safely operate commercial landscape equipment including mowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, backpack blowers, chainsaws (when qualified), compact equipment, and other landscape tools.
• Conduct daily equipment inspections and perform routine preventative maintenance.
• Identify equipment requiring repair and report maintenance needs promptly.
• Follow company safety policies, OSHA requirements, and all client-specific safety procedures.
• Properly use required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Load, unload, secure, and transport equipment and materials safely.
• Demonstrate safe work practices and reinforce safety expectations among crew members.

Teamwork & Customer Service

• Work independently while contributing to overall crew productivity.
• Communicate effectively with Crew Leads regarding project progress, material needs, and field issues.
• Assist in coaching and mentoring Landscape Technician I employees through demonstration and positive reinforcement.
• Maintain professional relationships with customers, vendors, coworkers, and the public.
• Support Rubicon's mission by treating coworkers, participants, and customers with dignity and respect.

COMPETENCIES

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Two+ years of commercial landscape installation, enhancement, irrigation, or maintenance experience required.
• Demonstrated proficiency operating commercial landscape equipment safely and efficiently.
• Ability to perform assigned work independently with limited supervision.
• This position may require driving vehicles and trailers; therefore, proof of a valid and current real ID driver's license and an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report are required.
• Conversational proficiency in both English and Spanish required.
• Working knowledge of commercial landscape installation, enhancement, and maintenance practices.
• Ability to read and interpret work orders, project specifications, and basic landscape plans.
• Proficiency operating commercial landscape equipment safely and efficiently.
• Ability to install, troubleshoot, and repair common irrigation system components.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to identify and resolve routine field issues independently.
• Ability to mentor and support less experienced employees.
• Commitment to safety, quality workmanship, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to effectively use technology for timekeeping, communication, project tracking, and other job-related tasks.
• Frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds; occasionally up to 75 pounds with assistance.
• Walk, stand, bend, kneel, squat, climb, and perform repetitive motions throughout the workday.
• Operate hand tools and power equipment safely.
• Work outdoors in varying temperatures, weather conditions, dust, noise, and uneven terrain.

COMPENSATION

• $28-$32 per hour
• Medical, Dental and Vision health plans. Kaiser and Sutter Health options.
• 3 weeks paid vacation and sick leave, 13 paid holidays.
• 4 days paid restorative holiday between Christmas and New Years.
• Employer sponsored retirement plan.
• A safety-focused, professional workplace.
• Year-round, full-time position.
• Competitive hourly pay, including federal prevailing wage for some assignments.
• Company uniform with free laundering and mending.
• Advancement opportunities.

About Rubicon

An $18M non-profit Rubicon, provides direct services at eight locations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties and operates a growing commercial landscape social enterprise program that is a leader in sustainable practices. Rubicon transforms East Bay communities by equipping people to break the cycle of poverty. Recognized as a national leader in workforce development, Rubicon provides individualized one-on-one career advising, job search support, financial education, wellness and legal services, to very low-income people who face significant barriers to achieving economic mobility.

Rubicon is a 2022 Great Place to Work, on a journey towards becoming a high-road employer and an anti-racist organization. We are committed to systems change and advocacy through efforts like expanding and deepening Employee Resource Groups; the launch of an internal Racial Justice Task Force; and implementation of talent and culture supports that acknowledge and facilitate healing from the direct and indirect effects of racial trauma.

Rubicon actively recruits staff members with a diversity of culture, thought, and lived experiences who are not only highly skilled, but who consistently demonstrate a commitment to our vision of an East Bay without poverty and are passionate about this work.

Rubicon is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and values the diversity of culture, thought and lived experiences. We seek talented, qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, conviction history, uniform service membership/veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical conditions, genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression regardless of physical gender, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.