Job Description:

C.S.E.A Classified Bargaining Unit Salary Range 124

Note: Incumbent must provide a valid California Pesticide Applicator Certificate at time of hire.

Application materials must be received by 11:59 pm on 10/04/2022

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Under direction from higher level supervisory and/or management staff, leads, oversees, and performs the more complex and difficult work of staff responsible for performing landscape and grounds maintenance activities; performs the full range of grounds maintenance duties including the development, maintenance, and repair of landscaped areas, athletic fields, related facilities and open spaces of a college campus; assists in the maintenance and repair of irrigation systems; and operates and maintains a variety of hand and power tools and equipment.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the lead level in the Groundskeeper series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including the provision of functional and technical supervision over assigned staff. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.
 

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
1.    Lead plan, train, and review the work of staff responsible for performing the full range of grounds maintenance duties related to the development, maintenance, and repair of landscaped areas, athletic fields, related facilities and open spaces of a college campus; train assigned employees in their areas of work including proper grounds maintenance and repair methods, procedures, and techniques; schedule, monitor, and review work activities to ensure that work is completed in a timely and efficient manner; perform the most complex grounds maintenance duties including assisting in the design of new landscapes.
2.    Supervise the use, care, and operation of landscape equipment; assist in maintaining equipment and vehicles for proper working order.
3.    Verify the work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications; ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
4.    Participate in a variety of landscape maintenance duties including watering, mowing, weeding, trimming, edging, renovating and fertilizing lawns.
5.    Participate in planting, watering and maintaining landscaped areas consisting of bushes, trees, flowers and shrubs; re-seed, plant and maintain new grass and plants; trim and prune bushes, trees and shrubs; stake trees as necessary.
6.    Rake leaves and/or clear debris from walks, fields, courts, parking lots and other open areas using a blower; load, remove and dispose of trimmings and cuttings; empty trash receptacles and transport rubbish to the local landfill.
7.    Safely prepare and apply herbicides, fungicides and pesticides according to established rules and procedures; maintain records of fertilizers and chemicals used; assesses the need for and orders materials such as fertilizers, pesticides and plant materials used in the maintenance of grounds areas.
8.    Participate in preparing, maintaining and painting athletic fields for a variety of sporting events.
9.    Operate a variety of heavy equipment and other maintenance equipment such as dump trunks, backhoes, front loaders, and power tools such as mowers, edgers and blowers; ensure adherence to established safety procedures.
10.    Perform preventative maintenance to vehicles, equipment, and tools; make minor adjustments and repairs; report the need for major repairs and maintenance.
11.    Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
12.    Perform a variety of duties in the maintenance and repair of the District’s irrigation systems; change and adjust heads; maintain controllers and assist in large irrigation system installation and maintenance projects.
13.    Estimate time, materials, and equipment required for jobs assigned; requisition materials as required.
14.    Perform related duties as required.
 

QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
 

Knowledge of:
Operations, services, and activities of a grounds maintenance program.
Principles of lead supervision and training.
Advanced methods, tools, materials and equipment used in comprehensive grounds maintenance program.
Advanced methods and techniques of mowing, edging, pruning and trimming a variety of lawns, shrubs and trees.
Operational characteristics of grounds maintenance equipment and tools used in the area of assignment.
Common insecticides, pesticides and herbicides and their application.
Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
Methods and techniques used in the maintenance and repair of irrigation systems including controllers, sprinkler heads, valves and backflow prevention devices.
Principles and practices of record keeping.
NCAA Athletic Field rules and Measurements.
Local water district and health department laws and guidelines involving reclaimed water usage.
Pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations pertaining to the application of various insecticides, pesticides and herbicides.
 

Ability to:
Lead, organize, and review the work of staff.
Independently perform the most difficult grounds maintenance duties.
Interpret, explain, and enforce department policies and procedures.
Operate a variety of tools, equipment and vehicles used in grounds maintenance work.
Perform grounds maintenance work in accordance with established schedules and in preparation for special events.
Care for and maintain plants, shrubs, flowers, turf and trees.
Perform maintenance and repair of the District’s irrigation system including installing, operating, maintaining and making minor repairs and adjustments to automatic sprinkler systems.
Safely and effectively apply fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.
Perform heavy manual labor.
Work independently in the absence of supervision.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
 

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
 

Education/Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in grounds maintenance.

Experience:
Three years of increasingly responsible groundskeeping experience including experience in basic landscape design and landscape installation.

License or Certificate:
Possession of a valid California drivers license and proof of insurability.
Possession of a valid California Pesticide Applicator Certificate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
 

Environment:

Work is performed in an outdoor field environment; travel from site to site; exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals, noxious weeds and plants, dust, pollens, insect stings, noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, noxious odors, gases, and all types of weather and temperature conditions; work and/or walk on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain. Occasional exposure to risks controlled by safety precautions. 
 

Physical:

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a field environment; walk, stand, and sit for prolonged periods of time; frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, reach, and twist; push, pull, lift, and/or carry moderate to heavy amounts of weights; operate assigned equipment and vehicles; verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision:

See in the normal visual range with or without correction.
 

Hearing:

Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

SPECIAL COVID-19 NOTICE:

Interviews may be held in-person (following all necessary precautions) or in a virtual format. Employees must reside in California while employed with the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD), even during remote work. Thank you for your continued interest in working at the SOCCCD.

The SOCCCD is committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of students, faculty, staff, administrators, and the communities it serves. The Board of Trustees voted to require COVID-19 vaccinations for all students, employees, and volunteers with allowances for medical exemptions and sincerely held religious beliefs as defined by law. More information can be found on our District website by visiting https://www.socccd.edu/about/about_covid-19.html.

NOTICE TO ALL CANDIDATES FOR EMPLOYMENT:

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Public Law 99-603, requires that employers obtain documentation from every new employee which authorizes that individual to accept employment in this country.

PLEASE NOTE:

A California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) retiree may not accept employment until after the first 180 days of retirement. Anyone retired from CalPERS accepting permanent employment with this District will be required to reinstate as an active CalPERS member. Please contact CalPERS for additional information regarding your retirement status.

Any active vested member of California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS), who accepts employment with the District to perform service that requires membership in CalPERS, is eligible to elect to continue retirement system coverage under CalSTRS

DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONS:

If you require special accommodations in the application and/or selection process, please notify District Human Resources at least two (2) business days prior to the Job Close Date/Initial Screening Date, by either calling (949) 582-4850 or sending an e-mail to hrinfodesk@socccd.edu.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT:

Report to work on a regular and consistent basis, as scheduled, to assigned job.

CAMPUS CRIME AND SAFETY AWARENESS:

Information regarding campus crime and safety awareness can be found at www.saddleback.edu or www.ivc.edu. Paper copies are available in the District Human Resources office upon request.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO):

The South Orange County Community College District is committed to creating an academic and work environment that fosters diversity, equity and inclusion and equal opportunity for all, and ensures that students, faculty, management and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome, included, supported, and safe. Our culture of belonging, openness, and inclusion, makes our district a unique and special place for individuals of all backgrounds.

Our District and our colleges are looking for equity and inclusion-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to the understanding of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present within our community. When you join our District, you can expect to be part of an exciting, thriving, equity-focused, and inclusive community that approaches higher education with the lens of social justice and collaboration among students, faculty, staff, administration, and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position with our District, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our District’s mission and goals for EEO, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

SOCCCD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Important: You must make sure that you have completed your application for a posting by 11:59 p.m., Pacific Time, on the posting's Job Close Date, along with any required documents, in order to be considered for the position.

Applicants must complete all fields/sections on the application. Do not type "See Resume" or leave any fields blank. Applicants must enter their work experience, education, etc. on the District application. Applications reflecting "See Resume" will be considered incomplete and will not be considered for recruitment.