Lead Groundskeeper

University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Facilities Management seeks a dedicated grounds maintenance worker to care for lawns, trees, shrubs, and outdoor spaces across the 419-acre campus. You will perform planting, pruning, mowing, and irrigation tasks while ensuring safety and quality standards.

You will operate power‑driven equipment, collaborate with a diverse team, and support ongoing campus beautification efforts, with a schedule that includes evening shifts.

Qualifications

• Experience caring for a wide variety of plants, pest and disease recognition.
• Proper pruning, mowing, edging, and plant cultivation techniques.
• Operate and maintain grounds equipment and hand tools safely.
• Prioritize, schedule, coordinate, and supervise work projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide outdoor maintenance services to preserve campus health and beauty.
• Operate and maintain grounds equipment and tools.
• Coordinate with team, supervise subordinates, and train staff as needed.
• Adhere to safe work practices and handle high workload with endurance.

Skills

Plant care & pest knowledge

Tree and shrub pruning

Lawn mowing & edging

Equipment operation & safety

Project coordination & supervision

Written & verbal communication

Irrigation math & planning

Safe work practices

Physical stamina (lift up to 50/80 lbs

Education

CA noncommercial Class C License

California Class C Driver's License

Forklift Certification

Job description

Department Summary

At UCLA Facilities Management, we strive to "Be the Preferred Provider." Join the team responsible for maintaining the 419-acre campus renowned as one of the most beautiful campuses in California with expansive lawns, brick‑lined walkways, courtyards, plazas, gardens and athletic fields. As a team member, you will be responsible for providing a variety of outdoor maintenance services that helps maintain and preserve the health and beauty of the campus.

Position Summary

At UCLA Facilities Management, we strive to "Be the Preferred Provider." Join the team responsible for maintaining the 419-acre campus renowned as one of the most beautiful campuses in California with expansive lawns, brick‑lined walkways, courtyards, plazas, gardens and athletic fields. As a team member, you will be responsible for providing a variety of outdoor maintenance services that helps maintain and preserve the health and beauty of the campus.

Salary & Compensation

*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience and comprehensive knowledge of the care and treatment of a wide variety of plant life, including ability to identify horticultural pests and diseases. (Required)
• Experience and comprehensive knowledge of proper methods for trimming trees and shrubs, mowing and edging lawns, and cultivating various plants. (Required)
• Ability to safely operate and maintain power‑driven grounds maintenance equipment and various hand tools, including mowers, edgers, trimmers, shears, generators, renovators, and aerifiers. (Required)
• Ability to prioritize, schedule, and coordinate work projects; direct and inspect the work of subordinates; and train and evaluate subordinates' effectiveness against job standards. (Required)
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with peers, subordinates, supervisors, administrators, clients, visitors, vendors, and outside agencies. (Required)
• Ability to perform effectively under conditions of fluctuating workloads, frequent interruptions and/or distractions, deadlines, and emergency repairs. (Required)
• Oral communication skills sufficient to obtain and convey clear, concise, and grammatically correct information. (Required)
• Skill in reading standard English text sufficient to follow written orders and carry out assignments. (Required)
• Ability to write standard English text sufficient to prepare job orders and complete forms and purchase orders. (Required)
• Skill in performing mathematical computations sufficient to calculate and implement the basic principles of irrigation. (Required)
• Working knowledge of standard safe work practices. (Required)
• Ability to perform physical grounds maintenance duties, including standing, walking, crawling, stooping, and lifting up to 50 lbs. independently or 80 lbs. with assistance. Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather and adverse conditions. (Required)

Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations

• Must possess, upon hire, and maintain a valid CA noncommercial Class C License in accordance with the California (CA) Department of Motor Vehicles. (Required)
• California Class C Driver's License 100 (Required)
• Forklift Certification 100 (Preferred)

Special Conditions for Employment

• Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
• Pre‑Placement Physical: Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory physical examination.
• Driving Record: The position is subject to the California DMV "Pull Notice System" and continued employment is contingent upon proof of a satisfactory driving record.

Schedule

7PM-330AM, Wed-Sun

Union/Policy Covered

Union/Policy Covered

SX-Service

SX-Service