Groundsworker

at  California State University

Job no: 541978
Work type: Staff
Location: East Bay
Categories: Unit 5 - CSUEU - Operations and Support Services, Administrative, Custodial/Facilities, Probationary, Full Time

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

• One year of experience in the care and maintenance of landscaped areas or in general grounds maintenance work, or in related manual labor.

Abilities:

• Ability to recognize the more common species of ornamental shrubs, trees and flowers grown in California.
• Perform strenuous physical work as described in this classification.
• Utilize mechanical aptitude and motor coordination.
• Learn to skillfully operate small trucks and power-driven grounds equipment.
• Read and write at a level appropriate to the duties of the position.
• Follow simple oral and written instructions.

Knowledge:

• Thorough knowledge of general gardening and grounds maintenance methods.
• General knowledge of proper methods of planting, cultivating, and caring for hedges, ornamental trees, shrubs, lawns, and flowers, and the use and care of gardening materials, tools, and equipment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to communicate with other staff and share pertinent information as required.
• Ability to work in a team setting as well as independently.

LICENSE & CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• This position requires the operation of State vehicles and equipment.
• Valid State of California Class C Driver’s License is required.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• More than three years of progressive experience in a grounds working function.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Proficiency of English grammar, punctuation and spelling.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Employees are required to perform tasks requiring a relatively high degree of physical strength and endurance.
• Need to stand and walk for long periods of time.
• Reach above and below waist level.
• Be able to adequately climb, stoop, kneel, crawl, and traverse rough uneven terrain.
• Safely lift, carry, push and pull objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work beyond daylight hours and in dark surroundings as well as inclement weather conditions.
• May occasionally experience exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy weather conditions.

Turf Area Maintenance:

• Daily litter pick-up
• Edge along sidewalks, around valve boxes, drains, and planting beds
• Trim and mowing edges, around trees and other obstacles in lawn
• Hand trimming or weed whipping tall grass where inaccessible to mower
• Fertilize lawns

Shrub and Flower Bed Maintenance:

• Daily litter pick-up
• Weed flower and shrub beds
• Prune shrubs and small trees
• Plant annuals, perennials, ornamental shrubs and small trees
• Fertilize

Hardscape (Parking Lots/Roads/Walks/Stairs/Patio) Maintenance:

• Daily litter pick-up
• Sweep & Blow leaves & debris
• Pressure Wash concrete & hard surfaces
• Repairs to asphalt (potholes) and concrete grinding to repair trip hazards
• Vacuum

Irrigation Systems Maintenance:

• Power trimming grass from around sprinkler heads and valve boxes
• Repair / replace broken sprinkler heads or other small irrigation repairs
• Report any malfunctioning sprinkler heads to leads/irrigation technicians
• Place portable sprinklers in dry spots and hand watering as instructed

Other Duties as Required:

• Assist with In-House Landscape upgrades
• Report hazards or emergencies to manager
• May be called back in after hours for emergencies
• Nursery work - potting plants and maintaining nursery stock
• Athletic Fields and stadium maintenance
• Report monthly absences
• TMA time card entry
• Train when required
• Landscape - removal of old/dead plants
• Add new soil, amendments and wood chips
• Shape of terrain and planting material as instructed