TEMPORARY Groundskeeper Worker

University of California; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California Fresno Campus is seeking a Grounds Maintenance Worker to perform a variety of lawn and landscape duties across campus facilities. The role includes mowing, edging, planting, irrigation maintenance, and use of power tools for grounds upkeep.

Applicants should have a high school diploma or GED and at least two years of grounds maintenance experience. Valid California driver’s license and ability to operate heavy equipment may be required.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent and at least two years of experience in grounds maintenance or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience operating a range of grounds maintenance equipment in outdoor settings.
• Knowledge of safety procedures for handling chemicals and operating power tools.
• Familiarity with irrigation systems and basic landscape practices.

Responsibilities

• Participates in routine landscape maintenance duties including mowing, edging, weeding, planting and mulching.
• Maintains flowerbeds, hedges, trees and lawns; supports renovation and lawn care activities.
• Operates grounds maintenance equipment and power tools safely and efficiently.
• Assists with irrigation systems installation, repairs and controller programming.
• Performs outdoor pest control and applies appropriate fertilizers/pesticides as needed.
• Keeps routine records of work performed and reports maintenance needs to supervisor.

Skills

Mowing & edging

Planting & pruning

Irrigation maintenance

Pest control basics

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Lawn mowers

Trimmers

Sprayers

Irrigation controllers

Job description

Undergeneral supervision,performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled duties in the maintenance of grounds and landscaped areas throughout the District; operates grounds maintenance equipment; and performs related duties as assigned.

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Participates in a variety of landscape maintenance duties including trimming, mowing, aerating, edging, hedging, watering, weeding, planting, mulching, renovating and chipping.

• Maintains and conditions flowerbeds, planter beds, hedges, trees and lawns; picks up and hauls cuttings; installs and cultivates new plantings; installs sod, reseeds, fertilizes and renovates lawns and fields.

• Performs outdoor pest control and removal.

• Calibrates, mixes and applies various fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides; prepares required pesticide usage reports.

• Operates a variety of grounds maintenance equipment hand tools, including mowers, trimmers, edgers, power shears, weed eaters, jackhammers, grinders, chainsaws, hand saws and sprayers.

• Operates a variety of medium and large grounds maintenance machinery including tractors, riding and standing mowers, excavators, trenchers, skid‑steer loaders, boom lifts, scissor lifts and sweeper trucks.

• Installs, maintains and repairs irrigation systems and program's electronic controllers.

• Assists with tree and shrub pruning and uses equipment to remove cut and fallen branches.

• Performs general maintenance to campus grounds; picks up and disposes of trash; blows, sweeps and washes building exteriors, sidewalks and other hardscapes to maintain clean, safe and orderly conditions.

• Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of historically minoritized groups and participates in professional development activities to increase cultural competency to enhance equity‑minded practices within the District.
  

OTHER DUTIES

• Prepares outdoor athletic facilities and fields for games and special events in accordance with NCAA and other applicable specifications; paints lines, hashmarks and numbers; cleans fields and bleachers following events.

• Assists with concrete cutting, grinding, removal and finishing work associated with irrigation repairs and removal of pedestrian hazards.

• Performs traffic control while work is performed on roads and/or parking lots to keep the public at a safe distance and maintain traffic flow.

• Maintains routine records of work performed.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Routine grounds maintenance procedures including mowing, edging, weeding and planting.

• Cultivating, fertilizing, watering and spraying flowers, trees and shrubs.

• Safe operation and maintenance of hand and power tools and equipment used in groundskeeping.

• Safe operation of medium and heavy equipment used in groundskeeping.

• Methods and materials used in controlling pests, insects and weeds.

• Basic methods and procedures for the installation, maintenance and repair of irrigation systems.

• California Department of Pesticide Regulation rules and requirements.

• Applicable athletic facility specifications and regulations such as NCAA requirements.

Skills and Abilities to:

• Perform semi‑skilled and skilled grounds maintenance duties including prioritizing and scheduling work on campus grounds and athletic fields.

• Work independently and use sound judgment in performing grounds maintenance activities.

• Perform mowing, edging, watering, weeding, fertilizing and cultivating lawns, flowerbeds, athletic fields and other landscaped areas.

• Mix and apply specialized chemicals to control and eradicate weeds, insects and other pests.

• Operate, perform daily inspections of and maintain a variety of power and hand tools and light to heavy motorized equipment including tractors, power mowers, edgers and weed eaters.

• Understand and follow oral and written directions.

• Effectively engage and support historically minoritized groups by addressing issues of equity and improving culturally responsive service‑oriented practices.

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Maintain routine records including pesticide and fertilizer usage records.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of work.
  

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent and at least two years of experience in grounds maintenance; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

A valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District's vehicle insurance program.

A valid California Department of Pesticide Regulation Qualified Applicator Certificate or License must be obtained within six (6) months of hire.

Aerial work platform and powered industrial truck operator certificates.

Annual completion of Healthy Schools Act training.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

The employee performs heavy physical labor with constant standing and walking for extended periods; walking over rough or uneven surfaces; frequent pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying of heavy objects weighing up to 75 pounds; frequent bending, stooping and kneeling; repetitive use of upper extremities on a regular basis; manual dexterity to safely operate motorized equipment and vehicles; ability to operate a motor vehicle or an electric cart to pick up/deliver supplies to various locations on or off campus; ability to travel to a variety of locations on and off campus as needed to conduct District business.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; analyze and solve problems; use shop math; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; and interact with District staff, other organizations and the public.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee works in outside weather conditions including extreme heat; exposure to sun for extended periods of time; on slippery or uneven surfaces. The employee works while wearing personal protection equipment including respirators, protective gloves and footwear, face shields, goggles, spray suits and rain suits. The employee is subject to exposure to dust, dirt, oil/grease, gasoline, diesel fuel, smoke and pollen; to hazardous materials such as pesticides, herbicides, solvents and other toxic chemicals and fumes; to extreme noise and fumes/exhaust from equipment and vehicle operation. The employee works with or around dangerous equipment and machinery with moving parts.

The employee may be required to travel to locations other than assigned work site and to adjust to work schedule changes and requirements to work overtime.

Only the most qualified applicants will be invited to interview for the assignment.

Working Hours- M-F 5:00-1:30pm