What are the responsibilities and job description for the Groundskeeper position at Downey Unified School District?
SELECTION PROCEDURES
Only online applications will be accepted: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/downey.
This is a Promotional and Open recruitment to establish an eligibility list and fill vacancies. The eligibility list will be used to fill permanent vacancies which may occur during the life of the eligibility list. In a promotional and open recruitment, the promotional list shall take precedence. When the promotional list contains fewer than three eligible and willing employees, certification of additional ranks shall then be made from the open list.
Positions in this classification are full-time, 40 hours per week, 12 months per year.
The recruitment process will consist of a written, performance examination and oral technical interview, which is tentatively scheduled during the weeks of May 4 - May 22, 2026. Qualified applicants will be notified by email.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, TITLE IX, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
The Downey Unified School District does not engage in any employment practice that discriminates against an employee or applicant for employment on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability (mental or physical), sex, gender (including pregnancy and childbirth), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information (including family and medical history), marital status, political affiliation, military and veteran status, or retaliation; or on any other basis as protected by state, federal or local law, ordinance or regulation, in its educational program(s) or employment. No person shall be denied employment solely because of any impairment which is unrelated to the ability to engage in activities involved in the position(s) or program for which application has been made. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, Downey Unified School District will provide you with one upon notice.
Basic Function
Under the direction of the Operations Supervisor, or designee, perform a variety of groundskeeping duties; work as a member of a crew as assigned.
FUNCTION & DUTIES
Plant, cultivate, prune, fertilize and irrigate flowers, trees, shrubs, hedges and lawns. E
Operate motorized equipment including push mowers and riding mowers, hedge trimmer, trucks, edger, blowers, sod cutter, vacuum, sweepers, rototiller and chain saws. E
Irrigate and cultivate around trees, shrubs and hedges; trim trees and shrubs for control; perform simple irrigation equipment repairs; apply fertilizer to plants and lawns per label instructions. E
Inspect and service equipment to assure safe and efficient operation; check, adjust, lubricate and clean equipment. E
Maintain equipment logs for record. E
Maintain athletic fields; prepare athletic sports fields including marking for athletic events. E
Load and unload trucks. E
Perform other typical groundskeeping duties such as weeding, raking and maintaining assigned areas in a clean, safe and orderly condition. E
Assist with the installation and repair of playground equipment and surfacing. E
Maintain and utilize the appropriate personal protective equipment used in groundskeeping work. E
Operate district vehicle to and from worksites.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Note: At the end of some of the duty statements there is an "E" which identifies essential duties required of the classification.
Knowledge Of
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Methods, materials, tools and equipment used in groundskeeping.
Fertilizers, soil types, turf grass, etc.
Methods used in planting, pruning, cultivating, fertilizing and caring for plants, flowers, shrubs, trees and lawns.
Operation and use of small-engine and electrical grounds equipment.
Legal and defensive driving practices.
Appropriate safety equipment, precautions and procedures.
Ability To
Perform groundskeeping duties.
Operate a variety of groundskeeping equipment and machines including hand and power tools.
Operate a vehicle to conduct work.
Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
Read and interpret written instructions and diagrams.
Demonstrate safe work habits and observe all applicable worker safety rules/laws.
Demonstrate attendance sufficient to complete the duties of the position as required.
Work cooperatively with others.
Comprehend and follow instructions.
Maintain a work pace appropriate to a given workload.
Education And Experience, Licenses And Other Requirements
Any combination equivalent to: sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed above and one year of groundskeeping experience in a large institutional or multi-facility setting.
Licenses And Other Requirements
Valid California driver's license. Must be, and remain, insurable under the District's vehicle driver's insurance policy at the standard rate.
Environment
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Outdoor work environment, subject to seasonal heat and cold or adverse weather conditions; subject to noise from equipment operation, regular exposure to fumes, dust and odors, and driving a vehicle to conduct work.
Physical Abilities
Standing for extended periods of time; bending at the waist; climbing; lifting and carrying items weighing up to 75 pounds; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate grounds maintenance hand and power tools and equipment; kneeling or crouching; digging; walking over rough or uneven surfaces; hearing and communicating to exchange information related to work requests; and seeing to operate various groundskeeping equipment.
Hazards
Exhaust vapors from power equipment, chemical vapors, dust, and pollen, working at heights, and working around and with machinery having moving parts.
Full-time Employees Earn Up To
Retirement benefits include membership in CalPERS (California Public Employee's Retirement System) and Social Security (OASDI). This is a joint contribution plan. To qualify for CalPERS an employee must work a minimum of 20 hours per week or already be a member, if not the employee is eligible for an alternative retirement plan.
Additionally, the District encourages employees to pursue professional growth, and provides financial incentive for classified employees completing professional growth programs. Additional benefits available to employees to which the District does not contribute include life insurance, a Section 125 Flexible Benefit Plan, an income protection plan, and a credit union.
Substitute employees are not eligible for vacation or holiday pay but are eligible to earn sick leave at the rate of one hour per 30 hours worked, not to exceed 48 hours. Further, substitute employees are not automatically eligible for CalPERS or District health benefits.
01
The information you provide on the general and supplemental applications will be used to evaluate whether you meet the minimum requirements for this position. All experience, education, training, and certification must be included in your application in order to be considered. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for the position will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Supplemental questions that are not answered fully and completely will be considered incomplete and may cause you to not be considered further in the recruitment process. All experience mentioned in the Supplemental Questions must also be included in the Work Experience section of the application in order to be considered complete. Resumes are not required or reviewed during the application process; therefore, you must ensure the application is complete. Did you read and understand this information?
This position requires the possession of a valid California driver's license. Do you have a VALID CALIFORNIA DRIVER'S LICENSE?
What is your Driver's License expiration date?
04
How many years of groundskeeping experience do you have in a large institutional or multi-facility setting? Note: Answer should be reflected in your work experience on your application.
Do you possess any groundskeeping experience in a school district or public organization?
If you answered yes to the above question, please describe your groundskeeping experience working in a school district or public organization. In your response, include the place you worked, your job title, the job duties you performed, and the dates you worked in each position. Note: The response should also be detailed in your application work experience. If you answered no to the above question, please indicate N/A.
07
CERTIFICATION By typing your name below, I hereby certify that all statements made in this supplemental application are true and complete to the best of my knowledge, and that any misstatement of material facts will subject me to disqualification or dismissal.
Only online applications will be accepted: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/downey.
This is a Promotional and Open recruitment to establish an eligibility list and fill vacancies. The eligibility list will be used to fill permanent vacancies which may occur during the life of the eligibility list. In a promotional and open recruitment, the promotional list shall take precedence. When the promotional list contains fewer than three eligible and willing employees, certification of additional ranks shall then be made from the open list.
Positions in this classification are full-time, 40 hours per week, 12 months per year.
The recruitment process will consist of a written, performance examination and oral technical interview, which is tentatively scheduled during the weeks of May 4 - May 22, 2026. Qualified applicants will be notified by email.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, TITLE IX, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
The Downey Unified School District does not engage in any employment practice that discriminates against an employee or applicant for employment on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability (mental or physical), sex, gender (including pregnancy and childbirth), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information (including family and medical history), marital status, political affiliation, military and veteran status, or retaliation; or on any other basis as protected by state, federal or local law, ordinance or regulation, in its educational program(s) or employment. No person shall be denied employment solely because of any impairment which is unrelated to the ability to engage in activities involved in the position(s) or program for which application has been made. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, Downey Unified School District will provide you with one upon notice.
Basic Function
Under the direction of the Operations Supervisor, or designee, perform a variety of groundskeeping duties; work as a member of a crew as assigned.
FUNCTION & DUTIES
Plant, cultivate, prune, fertilize and irrigate flowers, trees, shrubs, hedges and lawns. E
Operate motorized equipment including push mowers and riding mowers, hedge trimmer, trucks, edger, blowers, sod cutter, vacuum, sweepers, rototiller and chain saws. E
Irrigate and cultivate around trees, shrubs and hedges; trim trees and shrubs for control; perform simple irrigation equipment repairs; apply fertilizer to plants and lawns per label instructions. E
Inspect and service equipment to assure safe and efficient operation; check, adjust, lubricate and clean equipment. E
Maintain equipment logs for record. E
Maintain athletic fields; prepare athletic sports fields including marking for athletic events. E
Load and unload trucks. E
Perform other typical groundskeeping duties such as weeding, raking and maintaining assigned areas in a clean, safe and orderly condition. E
Assist with the installation and repair of playground equipment and surfacing. E
Maintain and utilize the appropriate personal protective equipment used in groundskeeping work. E
Operate district vehicle to and from worksites.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Note: At the end of some of the duty statements there is an "E" which identifies essential duties required of the classification.
Knowledge Of
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Methods, materials, tools and equipment used in groundskeeping.
Fertilizers, soil types, turf grass, etc.
Methods used in planting, pruning, cultivating, fertilizing and caring for plants, flowers, shrubs, trees and lawns.
Operation and use of small-engine and electrical grounds equipment.
Legal and defensive driving practices.
Appropriate safety equipment, precautions and procedures.
Ability To
Perform groundskeeping duties.
Operate a variety of groundskeeping equipment and machines including hand and power tools.
Operate a vehicle to conduct work.
Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
Read and interpret written instructions and diagrams.
Demonstrate safe work habits and observe all applicable worker safety rules/laws.
Demonstrate attendance sufficient to complete the duties of the position as required.
Work cooperatively with others.
Comprehend and follow instructions.
Maintain a work pace appropriate to a given workload.
Education And Experience, Licenses And Other Requirements
Any combination equivalent to: sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed above and one year of groundskeeping experience in a large institutional or multi-facility setting.
Licenses And Other Requirements
Valid California driver's license. Must be, and remain, insurable under the District's vehicle driver's insurance policy at the standard rate.
Environment
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Outdoor work environment, subject to seasonal heat and cold or adverse weather conditions; subject to noise from equipment operation, regular exposure to fumes, dust and odors, and driving a vehicle to conduct work.
Physical Abilities
Standing for extended periods of time; bending at the waist; climbing; lifting and carrying items weighing up to 75 pounds; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate grounds maintenance hand and power tools and equipment; kneeling or crouching; digging; walking over rough or uneven surfaces; hearing and communicating to exchange information related to work requests; and seeing to operate various groundskeeping equipment.
Hazards
Exhaust vapors from power equipment, chemical vapors, dust, and pollen, working at heights, and working around and with machinery having moving parts.
Full-time Employees Earn Up To
- 12 paid vacation days per year
- 12 paid sick days per year with unlimited accumulation
- 13 paid holidays
Retirement benefits include membership in CalPERS (California Public Employee's Retirement System) and Social Security (OASDI). This is a joint contribution plan. To qualify for CalPERS an employee must work a minimum of 20 hours per week or already be a member, if not the employee is eligible for an alternative retirement plan.
Additionally, the District encourages employees to pursue professional growth, and provides financial incentive for classified employees completing professional growth programs. Additional benefits available to employees to which the District does not contribute include life insurance, a Section 125 Flexible Benefit Plan, an income protection plan, and a credit union.
Substitute employees are not eligible for vacation or holiday pay but are eligible to earn sick leave at the rate of one hour per 30 hours worked, not to exceed 48 hours. Further, substitute employees are not automatically eligible for CalPERS or District health benefits.
01
The information you provide on the general and supplemental applications will be used to evaluate whether you meet the minimum requirements for this position. All experience, education, training, and certification must be included in your application in order to be considered. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for the position will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Supplemental questions that are not answered fully and completely will be considered incomplete and may cause you to not be considered further in the recruitment process. All experience mentioned in the Supplemental Questions must also be included in the Work Experience section of the application in order to be considered complete. Resumes are not required or reviewed during the application process; therefore, you must ensure the application is complete. Did you read and understand this information?
- Yes
- No
This position requires the possession of a valid California driver's license. Do you have a VALID CALIFORNIA DRIVER'S LICENSE?
- Yes
- No
What is your Driver's License expiration date?
04
How many years of groundskeeping experience do you have in a large institutional or multi-facility setting? Note: Answer should be reflected in your work experience on your application.
- I do not have experience in this area.
- Less than 1 year
- At least 1 year
- More than 1 year
Do you possess any groundskeeping experience in a school district or public organization?
- Yes
- No
If you answered yes to the above question, please describe your groundskeeping experience working in a school district or public organization. In your response, include the place you worked, your job title, the job duties you performed, and the dates you worked in each position. Note: The response should also be detailed in your application work experience. If you answered no to the above question, please indicate N/A.
07
CERTIFICATION By typing your name below, I hereby certify that all statements made in this supplemental application are true and complete to the best of my knowledge, and that any misstatement of material facts will subject me to disqualification or dismissal.
- Required Question