Groundsworker (2 openings)

Job Description:

Groundsworker (2 openings)

Description

CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Groundsworker - 2 openings

UNION CODE:R05

TEMPORARY END DATE: This position is temporary and ends on or before December 31, 2026. Any continuation beyond December 31, 2026 is contingent upon satisfactory performance and available funding.

FT/PT: Full-time

PAY PLAN: 12-month

WORKPLACE TYPE: On-site (work in-person at business location)

Work Schedule: Normal work schedule is Monday through Friday, 6am to 2:30pm. Hours for this position may change with appropriate notice.

ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: Step 1 $3,461 - Step 5 $3,747

• However, offer amount will be commensurate with candidate’s experience, education, skills, and training.

CSU CLASSIFICATION SALARY RANGE: $3,461 - $4,752

PAY BASIS: Monthly

BENEFITS: CSUB offers a best-in-class benefit package for eligible employees that includes an array of medical plans, choice of dental plans, vision coverage, retirement participation in CalPERS, CSU tuition waiver, up to 24 vacation days per year, sick leave with unlimited accrual, 15 paid holidays per year and more! See our benefits website for additional information.

CANDIDATES ELIGIBLE TO APPLY: Open to all qualified applicants

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT: Incumbent must possess a valid CA driver’s license or ability to obtain by date of hire and successfully pass a pre-employment physical exam and background check.

POSITION PURPOSE: Within the Business and Administrative Services Division, Facilities Management is responsible for creating and maintaining an environment that enables faculty and staff to fulfill the educational mission of California State University, Bakersfield through the continued maintenance of campus facilities and grounds, by providing services in a reasonable and timely manner, and by maintaining a quality-oriented organization geared toward the enhancement of the educational environment.

The Groundsworker, under direct to general supervision of the Roads and Grounds Manager, and with daily lead direction from the Lead Groundsworker, performs essential grounds maintenance duties including gardening, landscaping, and equipment operation to ensure the campus grounds are well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing. Responsibilities include planting, cultivating, and caring for ornamental plants, trees, and lawns, as well as operating and maintaining gardening equipment.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Grounds Maintenance & Gardening
Perform grounds maintenance and gardening work throughout the campus. Carefully plant and nurture ornamental plants, shrubs, hedges, trees, lawns, and flowers using appropriate gardening techniques. Apply soil amendments and fertilizers as needed. Perform routine tasks like leaf raking, weed hoeing, blowing, and trash removal to maintain neatness and safety on campus or in designated areas. Prepare soil beds for planting and treat soils with compost or amendments for optimal plant growth. Trim trees, hedges, and shrubs using appropriate tools and techniques, and erect tree supports as needed. Use line trimmer to manicure areas that mowers cannot reach. Edge areas adjacent to walkways. May assist with maintaining athletic fields in the absence of designated individuals by mowing, sweeping, applying fertilizers and soil amendments, precise edging, ground squirrel and gopher abatement, overseeding, thatching, and aerating.
Support Work
Assist in setting up athletic fields for events, including marking lines and ensuring proper field conditions. Provide support for specialists on specific tasks such as sprinkler repair or tree trimming as directed. May apply pesticides on occasion, under the guidance of a certified individual, adhering to safety guidelines and environmental regulations. Use rodent abatement equipment such as the PERC Machine, Gopher x, or traps to eradicate ground squirrels and gophers following safety policies and procedures. Drive university vehicles to transport equipment, supplies, and personnel as required. Provide guidance and direction to students and unskilled assistants to facilitate efficient completion of grounds maintenance task as assigned.
Equipment Operation & Maintenance
Inspect and maintain hoses, sprinklers, tools, and equipment to ensure they are in good working condition. Operate power-operated pavement sweepers, mowers, and other gardening equipment safely and efficiently. Conduct minor repairs and adjustments to equipment as needed to ensure continued functionality. Use appropriate techniques to trim trees, hedges, and shrubs to maintain desired shapes and sizes.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE - One (1) year of experience in the care and maintenance of landscaped areas or in general grounds maintenance work, or in related manual labor.

LICENSES - Possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES (SKA’s) -

• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Thorough knowledge of general gardening and grounds maintenance methods.
• General knowledge of proper methods of planting, cultivating, and caring for hedges, ornamental trees, shrubs, lawns, and flowers, and the use and care of gardening materials, tools, and equipment.
• Ability to recognize the more common species of ornamental shrubs, trees and flowers grown in California.
• Ability to perform strenuous physical work as described in this classification; utilize mechanical aptitude and motor coordination.
• Ability to learn to skillfully operate small trucks and power-driven grounds equipment. Ability to read and write at a level appropriate to the duties of the position.
• Ability to follow simple oral and written instructions. Demonstrated customer service abilities.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner. Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures. Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Solid organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to use technology including email, internet, work order system documentation, etc. Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure.
• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
• Must be able to work overtime, occasional holidays, and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Three (3) years of experience in the care and maintenance of landscaped areas, general grounds maintenance, or related manual labor.
• Experience working in a college or university grounds department.
• Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment possessing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: HEAVY WORK - 50% or more of the activities involve walking, standing, squatting, kneeling or climbing; lifting heavy weight objects which may exceed 50 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

• Works in high places
• Is exposed to excessive noise
• Is around moving machinery
• Is exposed to marked changes in temperature and/or humidity
• Is exposed to dust, fumes, gases, or radiation, microwave
• Drives motorized equipment. May be required to use a motor vehicle, such as a truck, or electric cart to transport equipment, materials, and supplies.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

SCREENING: Only those applicants possessing experience most directly related to the immediate needs of the office will be invited to appear before a Qualifications Appraisal Board for the purpose of appraising training, experience, and interest in the position.

BACKGROUND CHECK: Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SENSITIVE POSITION: Sensitive positions are designated by the CSU as requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position, based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of the people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to the CSU or individuals in the university community.

GENERAL INFORMATION: It is the policy of California State University, Bakersfield to hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to present documentation verifying their right to accept employment. You will also be requested to present a social security card at the time of initial appointment in compliance with state payroll regulations. State regulations require that every state employee sign the Oath of Allegiance prior to commencing the duties of his/her State employment, except legally employed non-citizens. These individuals are required to sign the Declaration of Permission to Work.

The California State University (CSU”), including California State University, Bakersfield is committed to an inclusive and equitable community that values diversity and fosters mutual respect. All students and employees have the right to participate fully in CSU programs, activities, admission, and employment free from discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and retaliation. The CSU Nondiscrimination Policy prohibits discrimination and harassment based on any protected status, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, prohibited consensual relationships, and retaliation.

Campus contact for our Nondiscrimination policy is Melissa Carleton, Interim Title IX Coordinator & DHR Administrator, (661) 654-2713.

Advertised: Feb 06 2026 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close: Feb 20 2026 Pacific Standard Time