LEAD GROUNDSKEEPER I (CORRECTIONAL FACILITY)

State of California; California (MO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Lead Groundskeeper I (Correctional Facility) position at Centinela State Prison in Imperial, CA. Oversees landscaping, grounds maintenance, and safety within a 12-month limited term assignment. Reports to the Supervising Groundskeeper II and supervises incarcerated individuals and staff in planting and care of grounds.

Salary ranges from $4,947.00 to $6,488.00 per month. New to State candidates may start at the classified minimum. In-office work location with no telework option.

Qualifications

• Leads employees in groundskeeping tasks for a correctional facility.
• Ensures proper use and maintenance of gardening tools and equipment.
• Oversees general landscape maintenance, planting, and lawn care.

Responsibilities

• Leads crews of inmates and staff in planting, trimming, and maintaining trees, shrubs, flowers, and lawns.
• Supervises pest and weed control activities and tree trimming.
• Directs layout, repair of roads and walks and ensures safe grounds maintenance operations.

Skills

Leadership

Groundskeeping

Tools

Gardening tools

Job description

$4,947.00 - $6,488.00 per Month

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 10/20/2026

Under the general direction of the Supervising Groundskeeper II, the Lead Groundskeeper I is responsible for maintenance and upkeep of all landscaping and grounds maintenance throughout the institution. The position is also responsible for maintaining order, supervising the conduct of in carcerated people , and protecting the safety of persons or property. Typical task include: Leads employees, in carcerated persons , wards, residents, or patients engaged in the planting, cultivating, propagating, transplanting, and caring for trees, shrubs, hedges, flowers, lawns, and various ground covers; supervises the use and maintenance of gardening tools and equipment; designs and lays out minor landscape work; supervises the operation and maintenance of greenhouses and other buildings used for plant propagation; supervises pest and noxious weed control work; supervises tree trimming and does minor tree surgery; does minor layout work on and directs the maintenance and repair of institution roads and walks; directs the preparation of athletic fields for various sports and athletic events; maintains the proper drainage system for grounds or driveway plantings; makes minor repairs and adjustments to sprinkling systems; as required, maintains time and cost records; assists in the preparation of the grounds maintenance budget; directs and instructs assistants in their work and takes or recommends appropriate action; maintains order and supervises the conduct of persons committed to the Department of Corrections or the Youth Authority; prevents escapes and injury by these persons to themselves or others or to property; maintains security of working areas and work materials; inspects premises and searches in carcerated persons , wards, residents, or patients for contraband, such as weapons or illegal drugs.

Please see attached duty statement for full details.

This is a 12 month Limited Term position that may be extended to 24 months, with the possibility of becoming permanent.

Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

CDCR employees are encouraged to use their existing CDCR email address on their application.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Centinela State Prison is located in Imperial, CA.

Centinela State Prison

2302 Brown Road

Imperial, CA 92251

CDCR website: www.cdcr.ca.gov

Founded in 1885, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is one of the nation’s largest and most diverse correctional departments in the country. We are dedicated to enhancing public safety through the safe and secure incarceration of individuals in our care, by providing effective parole supervision, and implementing rehabilitative strategies for their successful reintegration into our communities.

Minimum Requirements

• LEAD GROUNDSKEEPER I (CORRECTIONAL FACILITY)

$4,947.00 - $6,488.00

LEAD GROUNDSKEEPER I (CORRECTIONAL FACILITY) $4,947.00 - $6,488.00 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Positions

# of Positions: 1

Work Location

Imperial County

Telework

In Office

Job Type

12 Month Limited Term - Full Time

Department Information

Vision

We enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs.

Mission

To facilitate the successful reintegration of the individuals in our care back to their communities equipped with the tools to be drug-free, healthy, and employable members of society by providing education, treatment, rehabilitative, and restorative justice programs, all in a safe and humane environment.

Commitment

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) are committed to transforming the correctional landscape to create safer, more professional, and more fulfilling environments for our employees, the incarcerated population, and those supervised in our communities. Through systemwide improvements grounded in proven and emerging practices, we aim to strengthen rehabilitation, enhance workplace satisfaction, and support successful reentry into the community through our institutions, parole, and community partnerships. Our shared mission is to promote safety, wellness, and human dignity while fostering positive change for all those who live and work within our institutions and communities.

CDCR and CCHCS strive to collaborate with the community to enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs. Incumbents establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within the department, other governmental agencies, health care partners, and communities.

CDCR/CCHCS values all team members. We work cooperatively to provide the highest level of health care possible to a diverse correctional population, which includes medical, dental, nursing, mental health, and pharmacy. We encourage creativity and ingenuity while treating others fairly, honestly, and with respect, all of which are critical to the success of the CDCR/CCHCS mission.

Special Requirements

Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

Applicants who completed their education outside of the US (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of U.S. course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at NACES | National Association of Credential Evaluation Services

Candidates new to CDCR or the Division of Juvenile Justice are required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan Fingerprinting, and Tuberculosis testing prior to appointment followed by department annual Tuberculosis testing/evaluation thereafter.

When submitting supporting documents, PDF file format is preferred.

CDCR/CCHCS utilizes E-Verify to confirm candidate’s identity and employment authorization. For more information about E-Verify, you may go to www.e-verify.gov

This advertisement may be used for other vacancies that occur during the life of this recruitment.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Willingnessto create and promote an inclusive workplace that empowers employees from avariety of backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences.

Knowledge of: Use of modern methods of propagating, planting, cultivating, and caring for trees, shrubs, flowers, and lawns; plant pests and diseases and the methods for their control and eradication; methods, materials, equipment, and tools used in gardening work.

Skill in: Use of modern methods of propagating, planting, cultivating, and caring for trees, shrubs, flowers, and lawns.

Ability to: Read and write English at a level required for successful job performance; plan, organize, and direct the work of others; identify flowers, trees, and shrub commonly grown in California; plan minor ground beautification projects; direct the layout and repair of roads and walks; maintain sprinkling and drainage systems; read and interpret landscaping plans and specifications; prepare budget estimates and reports; analyze situations accurately and take effective action.

Benefitinformation can be found on the California Department of Human Resources(CalHR) website, www.calhr.ca.gov, and the CalPERS website, www.calpers.ca.gov .

Informationon benefits afforded by membership in the California Public Employees’

RetirementSystem can be found on the CalHR Salary and Benefits website at

Thiswebpage is intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may bebased on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length ofappointment.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Jennifer Burgos
[phone] ext: 5360
[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice)TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Information

• Priority consideration will be given to Reemployment/Departmental Restriction of Appointment/State Restriction of Appointment/Surplus candidates.
• This advertisement may be used to fill this and other vacancies that occur during the validity of this recruitment.
• Various methods of appointments may be considered, unless specified in this advertisement.
• Positions filled as limited term or as a Training and Development may become permanent.
• Salary posted is the base pay for the classification; various salary ranges may be included. A final salary placement will be made at the time of appointment.
• Departments are not required to contact all candidates with list eligibility; therefore, candidates are encouraged to search for vacancies they may be eligible for and apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.