Under the general direction of the Director of Maintenance and Operations, plans, organizes, coordinates, schedules, leads, and supervises the day-to-day operations of the District’s grounds maintenance operations; assigns, inspects, supervises, and evaluates the work of assigned staff; performs technical or specialized grounds maintenance and landscaping activities at various sites.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of this position.

Plans, prioritizes, and schedules department activities and work assignments; adjusts work schedules and priorities as necessary; conducts inspections and walk-throughs to ensure quality standards and time schedules are met; assists the Director in preparing district-wide grounds maintenance schedules and long-range planning.

Determines grounds maintenance needs; develops, prepares and/or reviews plans, design specifications and bids for grounds maintenance activities and new landscaping projects; prepares cost, time and labor estimates; prepares materials lists to effectively schedule and complete projects.

Identifies and resolves problems encountered during the course of work; provides guidance to staff; coordinates with administrators, vendors and others to resolve difficulties; responds to and plans solutions to correct challenges that arise.

Trains, supervises, and evaluates the performance of assigned staff; orients new workers; oversees employee compliance with departmental policies, work practices, and safety standards; responds to concerns from sites, ensuring corrections are made; counsels employees; interviews and recommends staff.

Independently performs functions of a technical or specialized nature in grounds maintenance and landscaping; supervises and participates in the installation, maintenance and repair of irrigation systems; programs irrigation controllers; performs maintenance of landscaped areas and sports fields, including mowing, pruning, watering, planting, irrigation services and pest management; responds to emergency grounds issues as required, including flooding, product delivery, downed trees, and other issues during and after regular business hours.

Assures proper chemical usage management in accordance with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) requirements and maintains required documentation; mixes and applies chemicals for fertilization, insects and weed killers.

Maintains and installs Best Management Practices (BMPs) for preventing contaminants from contacting storm water runoff.

Assists Director by developing and monitoring budget for grounds operations, including planning for long-range improvements as well as ongoing maintenance; adjusts budgetary plans for special projects and to enhance efficiencies.

Advises Director upon satisfactory completion of work by outside agencies; determines stock levels to be maintained, and approves material for identified needs; maintains records and reports, including work schedules and completed work orders.

Performs other duties as assigned.

The Grounds Supervisor is a single-position supervisory classification reporting directly to the Director of Maintenance and Operations that oversees all District grounds maintenance work; establishes and maintains standards, and provides technical expertise, daily oversight and ongoing direction to grounds maintenance staff. The Grounds Worker II operates large grounds maintenance equipment, performs work which is skilled and complex, and/or leads a small crew of Grounds Maintenance I positions. 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 Pest Control Leadworker performs skilled pest control duties, trains all grounds staff in pest control procedures and applications, performs other compliance program support, and leads a small crew of Grounds Maintenance Worker I positions in routine grounds maintenance. The Irrigation Specialist performs skilled work in the installation, repair, modification, and maintenance of irrigation/sprinkler systems.

Knowledge of: Methods, practices, materials, tools and equipment used in the grounds trades; accepted industry standards and safety practices; Integrated Pest Management (IPM) requirements; Best Management Practices (BMPs); techniques necessary for estimating work costs; budgetary policies and procedures; and District needs, irrigation, grounds and policies.

Ability to: Plan and oversee a District-wide grounds program effectively and efficiently; establish priorities and make sound operational decisions; train, assign, supervise, motivate, and evaluate the work of subordinates; establish and maintain effective and cooperative relationships with coworkers, site and District staff, students and others; communicate effectively orally and in writing; establish and explain work procedures persuasively and without alienating others; estimate and monitor program budgetary needs; plan and estimate grounds labor needs; read and interpret safety and other regulations, codes, blueprints, and diagrams, using both paper and electronic records; and inspect grounds work with concern for acceptable industry standards and District needs.

Essential Physical and Mental Activities and Work Environment: Sufficient stamina to stand, walk, sit, climb, kneel, crawl, reach, twist, crouch, squat, balance and bend; strength to regularly transport objects weighing up to 75 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds depending on workload requirements; mobility to climb and descend ladders; subject to working in high, precarious places; sufficient finger dexterity to keyboard and write, and to grasp, push, and pull heavy objects, tools and equipment. Must be able to hear and respond to oral safety warnings and ordinary conversation and vision sufficient to read fine print, identify safety hazards, and see children in close proximity to the work area. Must be able to read and comprehend materials described under “abilities” section, analyze situations, and make sound operating decisions and recommendations. Generally the job requires 20% sitting, 40% walking, and 40% standing.

Must have sufficient mobility to drive trucks to District sites daily and move around all types of terrain and climb/stoop over/under buildings in order to assess maintenance needs, work in progress, and completed work; work is subject to exposure to chemicals, fumes, fertilizers, solvents, gases, dust, dirt, odors, noise and vibrations. Work is conducted in adverse weather conditions, and is performed in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Typical Background: Any combination of training and experience that demonstrates the knowledge and abilities to perform the typical duties. A usual way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be graduation from high school, or equivalent, and at least five years of experience in landscaping, gardening and grounds maintenance with electric/electronic irrigation systems or other related areas including at least three years of lead or supervisory experience over a crew. School district experience is strongly preferred.

Licenses and/or Certificates: Possession of a California Department of Pesticide Regulation Qualified Applicator's License (QAL). Possession of a valid Class C California driver’s license. Must meet District vehicle and liability insurance requirements. May be required to obtain job-related certificates after appointment (e.g. Trapper’s license through Wildlife Fish and Game, etc.).

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.

Established 10/2023 DB – Approval by the Personnel Commission on October 19, 2023

Revised 1/2024 CS; Approved by Personnel Commission on February 15, 2024