Lead Groundsworker

California State University, Fresno; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Fresno State is seeking a Lead Groundsworker to supervise a crew of five to ten staff engaged in campus landscaping, turf, irrigation, and pest control. The role may involve after-hours and weekend work as needed to ensure grounds operations meet university standards.

Qualified applicants will have at least two years of grounds experience, leadership experience, and the required California driver’s license and pesticide licenses.

Qualifications

• Two years of grounds maintenance or planting experience.
• Experience leading and assisting a team of horticultural workers.
• Valid California Driver’s License and pesticide licenses (QAL/QAC).

Responsibilities

• Oversee 5–10 employees in general gardening and grounds maintenance.
• Assist in specialized work: landscapes, irrigation, turf, pest control.
• Oversee projects such as planting, irrigation, and landscape features.
• May require after-hours and weekend work.

Skills

Lead oversight

Team coordination

Pest control IPM

Plant/garden knowledge

Communication skills

Attendance reliability

Read/write

Education

Two years grounds experience

Tools

Qualified Applicator License

Qualified Applicator Certificate

Job description

Job no: 563699
Work type: Staff
Location: Fresno
Categories: Unit 5 - CSUEU - Operations and Support Services, Custodial/Facilities, Probationary, Full Time

INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated hiring salary is $3,890 per month. (Internal employees may be placed at a salary higher than the anticipated salary as required by the collective bargaining agreement.)

The salary range for this classification is $3,890 -$5,555 per month.

• This is a full-time (equivalent to 40 hours per week), probationary, non-exempt position.
• Area of consideration is limited to on-campus, state funded employees only.

The CSU system provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), sick and vacation time, and 15 paid holidays a year. Eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program. A summary of benefit information can be found here .

Job Summary

Under general supervision, the Lead Groundsworker oversees the work of five to ten employees engaged in general gardening and grounds maintenance work in assigned areas of the campus grounds; or oversees and assists in the work of two to five employees engaged in more specialized work such as ornamental gardens and landscapes, performance turf and play field maintenance, irrigation system operations and maintenance, lawn maintenance and pest control; or oversees and assists a crew of more than ten employees engaged in grounds projects such as planting major turf, flower or shrub areas, installing irrigation systems, or installing landscape/hardscape features.This position may require after-hours and weekend work.

Key Qualifications

• Knowledge of:
  • The principles and practices of providing effective leadwork oversight. Know and understand Grounds Department guidelines and procedures for assigning work.
  • Thorough knowledge of methods, materials, and tools and equipment used in planting, cultivating, and caring for flowers, shrubs, lawns, and trees.
  • Good working knowledge of common plant diseases, pests, and weeds along with approved methods and materials used in their control and eradication.
  • Planting and growing requirements of plants commonly grown in our region of California with special attention to drought‑tolerant plants.
• Skill/Ability to:
  • Ability to plan, coordinate, and oversee the work of others.
  • Provide training, interpret policies, and explain methods and procedures.
  • Inspect and evaluate the work of others.
  • Ability to develop and implement pest control program including IPM and Organic methods. Maintain chemical inventory, pesticide use reports and compliance program.
  • Read and write at a level appropriate to the position.
  • Perform general gardening and grounds maintenance work.
  • Always maintain a professional-like attitude while on duty.
  • Interpersonal, and communication skills, including ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and in a team-oriented environment.
  • Maintain regular attendance.

Education and Experience

• Two years of experience in planting, cultivating, and maintaining flowers and shrubs, or in skilled grounds maintenance work.
• Experience leading and assisting a team of workers engaged in horticultural work.
• Valid California Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.
• Possession of the appropriate California Department of Pesticide Regulation license to perform pest control work (Qualified Applicator License or Qualified Applicator Certificate).

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced level of skills, knowledge and abilities that are required of specialists in sprinkler repair work, horticultural spray work, and plant propagation, gardening, or nursery work.
• Two years of experience in the care and maintenance of landscaped areas in an institutional setting.
• Four years of experience in full range of horticultural work on performance turf and play fields or golf course.
• Arborist Certification.
• PCA License.

Department Summary

Fresno State Facilities Management is committed to providing a safe, efficient, and sustainable environment that supports the operational needs of our campus community.

Deadline & Application Instructions

Applications received by November 17, 2026 will be given full consideration by the search committee.

California State University, Fresno is one of 22 campuses in the California State University System. The University's mission is to boldly educate and empower students for success through our values of Discovery, Diversity and Distinction. The current student population is more than 25,000, including a large percentage of students with diverse and culturally rich backgrounds. The University serves the San Joaquin Valley while maintaining deep involvement with the state, nation, and across the globe.Fresno State is a tobacco-free, smoke-free and vapor-free campus.

Metropolitan Fresno, with a multi-ethnic population of over 527,000, is located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. The campus is within driving distance of Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, San Francisco, Los Angeles, the Monterey Peninsula, beaches, sailing, lakes, and numerous ski resorts. Fresno boasts one of the most reasonable housing markets in California and offers a wide array of locally grown fruits and produce.

California State University, Fresno is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Human Resources Department at [phone].

Jeanne Clery Campus Safety ActNotification

The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics ofCleryAct crimes for Fresno State for the last three (3) calendar years. Paper copies are available upon request by emailing the Clery Director at [e-mail] .

Under the Clery Act, this position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) depending on the role on campus and/or job duties. If this position is identified by the Director of Clery Compliance as a CSA position, you will be notified via email and will be assigned the appropriate training in CSU Learn.

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy , it is strongly recommended that all employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications. Questions may be sent to [e-mail] .

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with California State University, Fresno. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Fresno State has identified as sensitive.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Fresno State is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. (e.g. H1-B Visas)

Advertised: 03 Nov 2026 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close: 17 Nov 2026 Pacific Standard Time

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