Lead Groundsworker

Job Summary

Under general supervision of the Grounds, Landscape & Recycling Manager, the Lead Groundsworker leads and works alongside grounds staff engaged in the full range of grounds, landscape, and refuse management activities associated with maintenance for athletic/recreation fields and facilities and general gardening and grounds maintenance work for assigned areas of the campus. Lead work direction includes efforts associated with planning, scheduling, overseeing and assisting grounds staff in completing routine grounds work efforts as well as seasonal or specialized work such as renovating fields/lawns and other grounds areas, developing and implementing sprinkler systems including schedules, repairing concrete, asphalt or other surfaces, trimming, pruning, and where required, planting trees, shrubs, and other vegetation areas, maintaining storm water runoff landscape zones to ensure proper operation, ensures all turf/lawns/plants are properly cared for including fertilizing and spraying needs, implements integrated pest management strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Plans, schedules, oversees and assists grounds staff in completing routine work efforts as well as seasonal or specialized work required to maintain campus grounds, landscape, and recycling services to the level required for campus operation
• Assigns work to grounds staff according to established guidelines and procedures and priorities as set by the appropriate administrator
• Ensures preventative maintenance and other work orders designated as higher in priority are completed on schedule
• Develops labor resource schedules and communicates assignments to assigned workers, making adjustments and coordinating with other shops and departments, where necessary
• Consults, coordinates, and works with trade workers, trades shops, other FD&O units, and other campus departments as needed, to successfully complete work assignments on schedule
• Inspects completed work to ensure conformance with specifications, requirements, and compliance with applicable building and safety codes and regulations, standards, and quality
• Prepares standard reports as requested by the appropriate administrator
• Estimates cost, time and materials for assigned work including grounds related cost recovery work orders and projects

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• General knowledge of common plant diseases, pests, and weeds and the industry best practice methods and materials used in their control and eradication, including use of integrated pest management practices and sustainable methods
• Ability to obtain certifications associated with applicable of fertilizers, weed/fungus or other disease abatement chemicals as assigned.
• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner
• Ability to take initiative and plan, organize, coordinate and perform assigned work in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved
• Ability to analyze and respond appropriately to emergency situations
• Ability to obtain certifications associated with applicable of fertilizers, weed/fungus or other disease abatement chemicals as assigned
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds occasionally

Required Qualifications

• Two years of experience in planting, cultivating and maintaining flowers and shrubs, or in general grounds maintenance work
• Must participate in all OSHA required physicals and examinations
• Requires the possession of a valid California Driver's License for the operation of any vehicle or equipment required for position and in any emergency situation

License

A valid driver's license is required for this position. Out of state candidates selected for the position must obtain a State of California driver's license within 10 days of hire in accordance with the California Department of Motor Vehicles regulations.

Once hired the employee must successfully complete the Defensive Driver Training Program provided by the State of California for California State University campuses.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current QAL/QAC license
• Arboriculture certification or equivalent
• Certified Irrigation Auditor or equivalent
• California Master Gardener certification
• College level horticulture coursework
• General knowledge of common plant diseases, pests, and weeds; approved methods and materials used in their control and eradication, horticultural methods and materials and planting and growing requirements of plants commonly grown in California
• Two years of experience maintaining NCAA athletic facilities or equivalent
• Three years of experience maintaining recreation or physical education facilities for a public agency or school
• Experience supervising and leading full time staff in a team based environment

Compensation

Classification: Lead Groundsworker
Anticipated Hiring Range: $4,580/month - $5,700/month
CSU Salary Range: $3,907/month - $6,598/month

San Jose State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: April 3, 2025 through April 17, 2025. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Business needs may occasionally require overtime work including evening and weekend hours.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University 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 and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San Jose State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Equal Employment Statement

San Jose State University (SJSU) is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. This policy applies to all SJSU students, faculty and staff programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus).