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 expe