Under immediate work direction of a Grounds Maintenance Worker II, performs routine and semi-skilled grounds maintenance and gardening work; assists higher-level grounds maintenance workers with more complex and skilled work and performs other duties as assigned.

The typical duties and employment standards are representative of positions within this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the specific position.

Working alone or as part of a small crew, operates small power and manual equipment for mowing and edging lawns such as power hand mowers, weed whips, edgers, hedge shears, chain saws, jack hammer; inspects and services power equipment to ensure that it is greased, oiled, cleaned, and otherwise maintained in working condition. Cuts, trims, edges, and prunes landscaped areas at schools or offices; rakes, waters, and removes debris from lawns; fertilizes and lawns new grass, shrubs, and trees; loads trucks with trimmings and trash; hauls dirt, fertilizers, or other materials to use site.

Assists in the maintenance and repair of sprinkler systems by checking for leaks and replacing broken heads; reports irrigation system malfunctions to the Irrigation Specialist or Grounds Maintenance Worker II; assists in digging and repairing or replacing pipes, or clearing and flushing sprinkler valves, heads and pipes; assist in repairing asphalt and cement; reports safety hazards to the site administrator or Maintenance Office; assists on special landscaping projects; performs job related duties as assigned.

The Grounds Maintenance Worker I is the first-level class of a two-level series. Incumbents perform assigned grounds maintenance work independently or assist higher-level grounds maintenance personnel with more complex assignments. The Grounds Maintenance Worker II operates a variety of large grounds maintenance equipment, leads a crew of Grounds Maintenance Worker I positions, and/or performs landscaping or grounds projects which are skilled and complex.

Knowledge of: Standard methods, materials, tools and equipment used in planting and maintaining lawns, shrubs, trees and other landscaped areas; standard safety practices for grounds maintenance work.

Ability to: Ability to operate hand and power equipment; perform lawn and plant care tasks effectively; perform heavy manual labor; assist in sprinkler maintenance and repair; work independently without direct supervision; work cooperatively with co-workers and around students, school staff, and the general public; to understand and follow oral instructions; watch for and report safety hazards on school grounds and with equipment; read, understand and apply cautions on warning labels of supplies and chemicals; work effectively as part of a crew.

Essential Physical Activities and Work Environment: Sufficient stamina to stand, walk, sit, climb, kneel, crawl, reach, twist, crouch, squat, balance and bend to maintain grounds, or push materials and equipment on a daily basis for eight hours a day; strength to regularly transport objects weighing up to 75 pounds (e.g., bags of fertilizer, grass cuttings, dirt, and shoulder/back carried blowers) and occasionally up to 100 pounds; mobility to climb and descend ladders; sufficient finger dexterity to grasp, push, and pull hand and power tools and heavy equipment and objects (e.g., hedge trimmers, edgers, grass mowers); sufficient strength to push grounds equipment (e.g., mowers) uphill for extended periods of time; stamina sufficient to perform heavy manual labor on a daily basis; sufficient hearing to understand instructions; and vision sufficient to read fine print, identify safety hazards, and see children in close proximity to the work area.

Must have sufficient mobility to enter and drive trucks, tractors, gang mowers, riding mowers, and dump trucks, as well as to travel to District sites daily; ability to tolerate noise and exposure to chemicals and fertilizers. Work is conducted in adverse weather conditions.

Mental Functions: Must be able to read simple instructions; sufficient ability to understand instructions and/or explanations of tasks relating to grounds design or pesticide application.

Typical Background: Any combination of training that demonstrates the knowledge and abilities to perform the typical duties. A usual way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be one year or gardening or groundskeeping experience.

Licenses and/or Certificates: Possession of a valid Class C California driver’s license. Must meet District vehicle and liability insurance requirements, as appropriate. May be required to obtain job related certificates after appointment.

Qualifications: In order to be considered qualified for a vacancy in this classification, a candidate must possess the required background and successfully demonstrate such background, knowledge, skills and abilities through an examination process.

Revised June 1989 – Marlys Grodt & Associates
Revised July 2003 – JW/SW. Approved by the Personnel Commission on 8/21/03.
Revised 07/24/2009-AT