Grounds Equipment Operator

at  California State University

Job no: 538391
Work type: Staff
Location: San José
Categories: Unit 5 - CSUEU - Operations and Support Services, At-Will, Custodial/Facilities, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Grounds, Landscape & Recycling Manager while under lead work direction provided by the Lead Groundsworker, the Equipment Operator is a member of a team responsible for maintaining landscape and grounds areas of the campus as well as supporting other department units in need of equipment operator services. This position is typically assigned the main campus and is focused on the proper maintenance of all natural/artificial turf and hardscape pavement areas, including repairs and assisting with minor excavation, backfilling, loading, and transporting materials in support of other maintenance and repair activities utilizing powered equipment or manual labor. The Equipment Operator performs these duties using skilled driving of specialty grounds and maintenance equipment including riding and powered mowers, pavement sweepers, backhoes, cultivators, sweepers, rakes, trench diggers, loaders, rollers, and forklifts.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Ability to recognize safety hazards and follow practices and laws to insure safety
• Ability to load and unload vehicles and trailers correctly and safely
• Ability to service and make routine repairs to the equipment operated
• Knowledge of general gardening, turf, and grounds maintenance methods
• Ability to maintain records, communicate, and retrieve data related to work performed using manual and computerized record-keeping systems, and to keep simple records and make simple reports
• Knowledge of the State of California General Industrial Safety Orders related to the operation of all equipment and the safe conduct of all assigned tasks, particularly as related to vehicle and equipment operations, construction methods and practices, and the lifting and moving of heavy loads
• Must participate in all required health physicals and examinations.
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License and maintenance of an ongoing driving record that allows for the operation of any vehicle required for this position

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Possess appropriate license for each vehicle operated and may be required by the State of California Vehicle Code to carry appropriate certification while driving. Drivers of State-owned vehicles must maintain a good driving record which will be checked periodically with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Equivalent to one year of paid or regularly assigned driving experience in a job involving operating a delivery vehicle, truck, tractor, bus, or automotive maintenance equipment
• Equivalent to one year of paid or regularly assigned driving experience in a job involving operating a delivery vehicle, truck, tractor, bus, or automotive maintenance equipment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of the California Vehicle Code as related to safe operation of vehicles required for the position
• Knowledge of the California Industrial Safety Orders related to performance of duties using the vehicles and equipment required for the position
• General knowledge of natural turf lawn care practices
• High school diploma or equivalent education
• Possession of a maintenance gardener pest control certification or qualified applicator license from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation
• Three years of regularly assigned equipment operation and driving experience in a job involving major grounds maintenance and repair or conducted with a delivery vehicle, truck, tractor, bus, or automotive maintenance
• Experience in the maintenance of natural or artificial turf
• Experience working within a University or large commercial setting

• Skilled driving and operation of equipment and vehicles including but not limited to those classified as ½ ton to 4 ton with up to a five speed transmission and which can be described as ride on mowers and other powered equipment common to turf or field maintenance; small wheel type tractors including those with special purpose attachments such as backhoes, mowers, buckets, blades, cultivators, rakes, aerators, dethatchers, sweepers, infill decompaction/replenishers, groomers, topdressers; trench diggers; loaders (1/4 or one cubic yard or less bucket capacity); small rollers; personnel lifts, and forklifts typically under a three ton capacity
• Monitors and cultivates turf areas and lawn by providing water, light, and soil nutrients
• Cleans, services and makes minor repairs to the equipment operated
• Collects trash and recycling and disposes of properly while also maintaining trash/recycling bins and area in a neat and clean manner
• Uses hand tools common to the gardening and grounds maintenance field
• Maintains clean work areas, tools, equipment and associated structures
• Unlocks and secures facility areas to access equipment. Maintains security of all assigned equipment and keys. Reports issues with lost or stolen equipment or keys promptly
• Works collaboratively and as a team with other members of the Grounds Services team and also with other FD&O units and personnel, as needed, to successfully complete work assignments and support work efforts
• Responds promptly to, and assists with urgent needs in order to prevent injury, damage or further incident
• Attends and participates in departmental meetings, trainings and functions
• Participates in after hours emergency response callbacks and scheduled overtime to meet campus needs