Groundskeeper

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Salary Schedule: 70

Bargaining Unit: AFSCME

Months Per Year: 12

Hours Per Week: 37.5

Mandated Reporter: Yes

Campus Security Authority: No

The Groundskeeper performs manual labor work at the skilled level involved in the maintenance of landscape and hardscape, including plants, shrubs, trees, water features, grounds, parking lots, athletic fields, and facilities, using appropriate tools and related equipment for a college district. The position requires a broad knowledge of gardening, landscaping, and maintenance and repair of hardscape, as well as knowledge of applicable safety procedures, equipment, and supplies. Public contact is primarily with department staff and the campus community, but may include vendors and contractors to exchange instructions and other information regarding regular and special projects, set-ups, and other assignments. A moderate degree of independent judgment and creativity is required to plan the procedures required to complete daily and special projects. Consequences of error in judgment could be costly in employee time, safety, and materials. A Groundskeeper can direct the work of student assistants and other temporary staff as assigned, and can be assigned to work on call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and on a variety of shifts and locations

Duties And Responsibilities

The duties below are representative of the duties of the classification and are not intended to cover all of the duties performed by the incumbent(s) of any particular position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the scope of work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this classification.

• Exchanges information with management and other staff regarding daily and long-range work assignments, special and regular projects, safety procedures, equipment and supplies, use of chemicals, work sites, and other matters
• Mows, edges, trims, waters, and fertilizes lawns, shrubs, plants, and trees; plants and cultivates flowers, annuals, and trees
• Cultivates mass plant groups as assigned
• Prunes trees
• Weeds in planted areas
• Cleans and maintains fountains
• Uses common safety techniques, equipment, and supplies to assure safe handling of motor and electrical equipment, supplies, and chemicals
• Uses proper safety equipment and supplies to climb and handle trees and branches
• Cultivates, prepares, and lines athletic fields for play
• Grooms athletic artificial turf fields, paints and repairs benches, recreation equipment, tables, and fences
• Operates and maintains power-driven equipment such as lawn mowers, lawn edgers, clippers, rototillers, tractors, trucks, sweepers, blowers, and other grounds maintenance equipment as assigned
• Uses hand tools to work soil and to remove weeds, undergrowth, and debris from college grounds and landscaped and hardscaped areas
• Drives a motor vehicle to pick up and deliver equipment, supplies, debris, and other items
• Uses a variety of non-restricted chemicals to exterminate weeds, insects, rodents, aphids, and other pests
• Rakes leaves and loads and unloads brush, branches, rubbish, and materials
• Cleans drains, culverts, stream beds, pathways, and sidewalks
• Sweeps and maintains parking lots and grounds
• Installs, relocates, and maintains site furnishings
• Programs, monitors, troubleshoots, and repairs irrigation systems and water features
• Assists in campus evacuations, building lockdowns, flood and spill cleanups, and other emergency preparedness and response actions
• Paints exterior horizontal surfaces, such as parking lot striping and curbs, as well as unoccupied structures, such as storage sheds and/or containers, and similar assignments
• Inventories grounds and related equipment and supplies
• Makes recommendations for and/or executes the purchase or repair of equipment, chemicals, and supplies
• Performs other related duties as assigned
  
  

Knowledge Of

Employment Standards (acquired through education, training, and/or experience)

• General principles of gardening, landscaping, and grounds and hardscape maintenance, including plant identification and basic intercultural gardening techniques, equipment, and supplies
• Safety procedures, equipment, and supplies applicable to gardening, landscape, hardscape, and grounds maintenance
• A basic understanding of water chemical balance and treatment
  
  

Skill In

• Installing, maintaining, and repairing irrigation systems and controls
• Reading, comprehending, and following written materials, instructions, and directions
• Communicating effectively with people who are diverse in their academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA backgrounds
• Working effectively as part of a customer service team
• The safe operation and handling of mechanical and electrical equipment, tools, and supplies, including driving a motor vehicle
  
  

Ability To

• Exercise good judgment in safeguarding and protecting District and public property
• Perform moderate to heavy physical labor
  
  

Job Requirements

• Graduation from high school OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Successful gardening and landscaping work experience that has included demonstrated skill in the use of safety procedures, equipment, and supplies, including applicable chemicals
• Skill in the operation of common mechanical and electrical equipment related to gardening, landscaping, and grounds maintenance
• Demonstrated skill in following oral and written instructions
• Attention to detail
• Possession of a valid California Driver's license (or the ability to obtain one) and the ability to drive a motor vehicle on campus and to off-campus locations
• Demonstrated cultural competence, sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA backgrounds of community college students, faculty and staff
  
  

Additional Information

Physical/Other Requirements

This position requires work outdoors with exposure to climate changes, chemicals, odors and fumes; bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing ladders and stairs; work on elevated platforms; pushing, pulling, moving moderate to heavy objects; visual comparison; reading and comprehending written and oral instructions and directions; attention to detail; flexibility; adaptability; operating electrical and mechanical equipment; good memory; standing for long periods; walking; interacting with individuals and small groups; and driving a motor vehicle, in order to perform the essential functions.

Benefits: Benefits include paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. The District pays all or a portion of monthly medical plan premiums (depending on the coverage) and pays all of the monthly dental and vision plan premiums for employees and eligible dependents. Additional paid benefits include life insurance, salary continuance insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. Classified employees participate in the Public Employees' Retirement System, a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California. Optional tax-deferred 403(b) and 457 retirement plans are also available.

EEO Statement: San Mateo County Community College District is an Equal Opportunity, Title IX, and Section 504 employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law. We seek to employ individuals who reflect our community's diversity of cultures, languages, and abilities.

Our EEO Plan, grounded in Title 5 regulations, is developed and monitored by an EEO Advisory Committee, reviewed at least every three years, and supported by regular training for all members of selection and screening committees. We collect and analyze recruitment and retention data to measure progress and identify barriers.

Annual Security Report

San Mateo County Community College District's (SMCCCD) 2025 Annual Security Report (ASR), required by the Clery Act, includes statistics for the previous three years (2022-2024) concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by SMCCCD; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from SMCCCD. The 2025 Annual Security Report also outlines various campus safety and security policies concerning crime reporting, prevention and response to sexual and gender violence, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, emergency response and evacuation procedures, and other matters. The Annual Security Report also includes important tips to help every community member remain safe and avoid becoming a victim of crime. The 2025 Annual Security Report is now available on the Public Safety website. You can also obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Department of Public Safety at the District Office or any of the three Campuses (650) 738-7000. The report includes information about criminal activity on our campuses, emergency procedures, and resources.

Closes: 3/27/2026

To apply, visit http://smccd.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=197807