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Grounds Worker, Lead

Job Description

Position Title

Grounds Worker, Lead

Special Instructions to Applicants

All job offers of employment are conditional upon the applicant’s satisfactory results of the Post Offer Pre-Placement Evaluation Program. This involves a physical strength test to demonstrate a minimum level of strength to perform the essential duties of the job.

NOTE:New employees will be placed at the first step which is $70,440 per year, second step $74,004 per year or third step at $77,748 per year (depending upon experience). Based on current salary placement guidelines, all step increases for which an employee becomes eligible shall take place on July 1st of each fiscal year. These increases will occur, on annual basis, until the maximum step of $85,836 per year is reached on the salary schedule.

Our Vision for Social Justice

We are seeking people who recognize the critical role community colleges play in social justice, who have ability in this space, enthusiasm for this work, ideas and vision to improve our approaches, and a commitment to achieving equitable academic success for the 50,000+ students attending our five beautiful colleges and centers. Our social justice work calls for employees who have a sense of social responsibility, interest in our community and world in which we live.

The intention of social justice work is to strengthen humanity by understanding that every person deserves the benefits of fully participating in our society and institutions.

Academic researchers have illustrated that crucial social justice principles are a compilation of equality, equity, diversity, inclusion, engagement, environmental sustainability and human rights. These complex principles are challenging to operationalize in higher education; yet we are steadfast in our diligence to forge ahead to advance this vital mission.

Community colleges are uniquely positioned to lead higher education in the work of social justice. Many of our students come from historically underserved and underrepresented backgrounds, students of color, students with recent immigrant histories, students from cycles of low income if not poverty, students from indigenous communities, and students from first-generation families.

The idea of promoting social mobility through education is unconditionally and uncompromisingly embraced by community colleges. This is an exciting role, and it comes with a heavy responsibility. Simply put, we need to create environments where our students achieve greater academic success, so much so that we close our persistent equity/opportunity gaps.

If you are committed to social and racial justice and if you are interested in joining a community dedicated to solving these inequities through education, please apply.

Recruitment Type:

Open (Internal and External applicants)

Location

Contra Costa College

Posting Number

0002027

# of Openings

1

Range

61

Salary

YEARLY: $70,440, step 1 - $85,836, step 5 (see special instruction for initial step placement)

Position Status

Permanent

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt (eligible)

Position

Full-Time

If temporary, employment duration:

N/A

# of Hours Scheduled Per Week

40

Work Schedule By Day and Work Hours

Monday-Friday,
6:00am – 2:30pm

Shift Differential %

N/A

# of Months

12

Non-work Periods:

N/A

EEO Job Category

Service/Maintenance

Employee Group

Classified

Department

C2010-Buildings & Grounds

Position Definition

To perform skilled and lead work in the maintenance, repair and modification of grounds; to perform a variety of mechanical repairs and preventative maintenance; to perform a variety of skilled landscaping and turf maintenance duties; and to operate a wide variety of equipment in the maintenance of campus grounds.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Grounds Worker I – Positions in this classification are task focused and require a basic understanding of landscaping and turf maintenance duties. Employees are trained on specific work activities with little latitude to vary work sequence.

Grounds Worker II – Positions in this classification provide skilled gardening care and grounds maintenance involving trees, lawns, turf, shrubs, hedges, ground cover, flowers and athletic fields.

Grounds Worker, Lead – Positions in this classification act as a lead and provide direction to lower- level staff in general gardening care and grounds maintenance at a college site, including the care and upkeep of a variety of athletic facilities. Provides guidance and instruction on techniques, methods and procedures for accomplishing assigned tasks and solving problems.

Examples of Duties/Essential Functions

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: 
  • Oversees and participates in all phases of landscape maintenance work; assigns specific tasks; assists work of other staff in maintenance tasks as required.
  • Inspects and reviews the work of other staff.
  • Requisitions materials and supplies; recommends purchase of new equipment.
  • Identifies areas in need of repairs; directs the performance of repair tasks; inspects campus for unsafe conditions and cleanliness.
  • Schedules fertilizing, spraying and planting activities; assists in the selection of appropriate fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides; mixes and sprays fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides.
  • Operates power mowers, edgers, sprayers, forklifts, tractors, chain saws and related equipment.
  • Schedules sprinkler usage to ensure proper irrigation; inspects grass areas and athletic fields for proper maintenance.
  • Diagnoses and repairs complete automated irrigation systems, including design and installation.
  • Trains assigned staff; keeps time records and maintains employee schedules.
  • Performs mechanical repairs and preventative maintenance on mowing equipment, hand and power tools and other grounds and gardening equipment.
  • Performs complete tree, shrub and plant care, including watering, weeding, trimming, aerating and fertilizing lawns; planting and pruning shrubs, trees and flower beds.
  • Coordinates with representatives of contracted companies to set up services such as garbage removal, tree removal and special landscaping projects.
  • Coordinates inspections with the Contra Costa County Agriculture Department; reports on all usage of herbicides and pesticides.
  • Coordinates inspections with Contra Costa County Department of Sanitation for recycled irrigation water.
  • Responds to inquiries from the general public.
  • Ensures grounds are kept clean and free of debris and trash; ensures exterior trash cans are emptied, as needed.
  • Installs electric pumps; repairs and adjusts main pump station.
  • Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification-Education/Experience

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
Four (4) years of increasingly responsible work performing grounds-keeping/landscaping duties, including maintenance and repair of various types of equipment.

EDUCATION/LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE
Possession of a high school diploma/GED or the equivalent, supplemented by courses in supervision and/or landscaping.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license.
Possession of, or ability to obtain an appropriate, valid forklift operator’s certificate.
Possession of, or ability to acquire by date of hire, an appropriate, valid California pesticide applicator’s certificate.

Minimum Qualification-Knowledge Of

Knowledge of:
Materials, methods, practices and equipment used in landscape and grounds maintenance work.
Procedures and techniques used in the planting, cultivating, propagating, fertilizing and routine trimming of trees, shrubs, flowers and lawns.
Plant and turf pests and diseases and methods for their control and eradication.
Electric and hydraulic clock installation and repair.
Maintenance and repair of a wide variety of equipment.
Principles and practices of supervision and training.
Basic construction and repair methods.
Safe work practices.

Minimum Qualification-Skill To

N/A

Minimum Qualification-Ability To

Skill/Ability to:
Lead personnel in the performance of grounds repair and upkeep tasks.
Operate, maintain and repair a variety of motorized and non-motorized equipment used in grounds work.
Identify problems and supervise their correction.
Perform heavy manual labor, including lifting and moving items weighing up to 50 pounds.
Oversee, train, schedule and organize work of others.
Develop and maintain necessary written records, logs, schedules and procedures.
Perform tasks in landscape maintenance work, including heavy manual labor.
Mix and apply herbicides.
Perform tasks and routine supervisorial duties independently in the absence of direct supervision.
Understand safe and legal methods of removal and/or deterrence of animals and insects from campus.
Establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
Demonstrate understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socio- economic, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability, and religious background of all students, faculty and staff, and with all individuals encountered in the performance of required duties.

Desirable Qualifications

  • Ability to install and program irrigation controls
  • Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, organize and complete landscape projects
  • Possession of a forklift certification
  • Experience operating mowing equipment, tractors, trenchers and utilize a variety of hand and power tools in grounds work
  • Experience repairing irrigation systems and leaks

Job Open Date:

06/11/2024

Job Close Date:

07/15/2024

Open Until Filled

No

Foreign Degree and Credit Statement:

In accordance with the Human Resources Procedure 3050.05, all foreign degrees and credits used to meet the minimum qualifications must be evaluated by an approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) agency www.naces.org prior to the implementation of the equivalency process. You must upload your evaluation with your application when you apply for this position to be considered. We cannot accept foreign degree evaluations after the closing date. The candidate bears all responsibility and costs associated with obtaining the evaluation.

About Us

About the District

The mission of the Contra Costa Community College District is to transform lives by providing outstanding learning opportunities that nurture and empower all students to achieve their educational goals. The dedicated faculty, classified professionals and administrators in the District are committed to core values and action that promote excellence in learning and equitable student success. The District is committed to hiring and developing a diverse staff that understands that cultural diversity in the academic environment promotes academic excellence; fosters cultural, racial and human understanding; provides positive role models for all students; and creates an inclusive and supportive educational work environment for its students, employees, and the community it serves.



Located in Contra Costa County, in the beautiful and diverse San Francisco East Bay area, the District serves the 1 million residents of the County through education, business partnerships and service in the community. The District first opened its doors in 1949 and is the second oldest and eighth largest multi-college community college district in California. The District consists of three colleges and two centers; Contra Costa College in San Pablo; Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill; Los Medanos College in Pittsburg; and the centers in Brentwood and San Ramon. The District Office located in downtown Martinez, supports the mission and functions of the colleges.



As evidenced by the rich diversity in Contra Costa County, the District enrolls a highly diverse student population. Serving over 41,364 students a year, in 2021-2022 fiscal year the demographic make-up of the students was 9% Black/African American; 21% Asian/Pacific Islander; 34% Hispanic/Latino; 25% White/Caucasian; and 11% Other.



The District actively encourages a diverse pool of applicants to serve the dynamic student population and work collaboratively with existing colleagues that are equally dynamic and diverse.



Contra Costa College

Contra Costa College is a dynamic, comprehensive community college with a diverse student population. The institution has served the communities of West Contra Costa County for more than 69 years. Most of the 10,500-plus students who attend the college come from local communities, but many also come from neighboring communities and from countries throughout the world. The college offers certificates and degree programs in 70 areas. It prepares students for immediate employment and for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Faculty and staff are proud to be affiliated with an institution that has a tradition of excellence and a reputation for educating students to live and work in a diverse global environment.



Diablo Valley College

DVC is committed to increasing student success. The college has distinguished itself as one of the nation’s most successful community colleges by offering incomparable transfer opportunities and exceptional career-technical programs. In both Pleasant Hill and San Ramon, a diverse student body engages with high-quality instruction and support services designed for excellence and equity in student learning. DVC’s career-technical programs keep pace with emerging technologies and skill requirements, while unparalleled transfer programs prepare students to be successful in four-year colleges and universities. DVC continuously ranks among the top transfer pathways to UC Berkeley.



Los Medanos College

Los Medanos College, opened in 1974, is the newest campus of the Contra Costa Community College District. The college prepares students to excel and succeed economically, socially and intellectually in an innovative, engaging and supportive learning environment. LMC provides quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities to serve the needs of a rapidly-growing and changing East County while enhancing the quality of life of the diverse communities it serves. Los Medanos College is known for its transferable general education program and career technical programs strongly connected with local business and industry. The college serves approximately 10,000 students.

Employee Benefits:

Insurance: The District offers health, vision, dental and life insurance for monthly classified employees and managers/supervisors and their eligible dependents. Monthly classified employees and managers/supervisors covered by another health medical plan may waive District coverage and receive a monthly cash stipend.

Retirement: Most employees are members of the PERS (Public Employees Retirement System). Faculty employees and Academic Managers are members of the STRS (State Teachers Retirement System). Police Service employers are members of Safety Public Employees Retirement System.

Deferred Compensation: The District offers two optional deferred compensation plans. Eligible employees have a choice of the 457, 403b plans and a selection of savings and investment options.

Leave Allowance: The District offers monthly eligible classified employees and managers/supervisors a generous vacation and sick leave benefits as well as 20 paid holidays annually (which can vary based on length of winter break).

Additional Benefits: The District also offers monthly eligible classified employees and managers/supervisors educational reimbursements, employee assistance programs, a travel assistance plan, longevity compensation, retiree benefits, employee discounts on health memberships and a comprehensive wellness program.


Newly hired employees may notify the respective union (Local 1 or United Faculty) if they opt to join and/or authorize payment to the union. If the newly hired employee authorizes payment to the union then the following fees apply: Local 1 has a one-time initiation fee of $45.00 and monthly contribution of 1% of gross pay +$1. United Faculty has an agency fee of .55% of gross pay plus $2.50. (All confidential, supervisory and management positions are exempt from union membership)

For further information regarding benefits eligibility and details please refer to the following documents available on the 4CD website:

Classified Employees Local 1 Contract (Article 20-Benefits):
https://www.4cd.edu/hr/localonecontract/2019-2022%20Local%201%20Contract.pdf


Managers/Supervisors/Confidential Personnel Manual (Section 8-Insurance Benefits):
https://www.4cd.edu/gb/policies-procedures/manuals/MSC_08.pdf

POST OFFER PRE-PLACEMENT EVALUATION PROGRAM (PEP)

All job offers of employment are conditional upon the applicant’s satisfactory results of the Post Offer Pre-Placement Evaluation Program. This involves a physical strength test to demonstrate a minimum level of strength to perform the essential duties of the job. There is no charge for this service. Please do not make an appointment for testing until you have received notification from the Human Resources Department after a job offer is extended. The positions we currently evaluate are: Building Maintenance Worker, Custodian I and II, Lead Custodian, Cook, Food Services Assistant, Food Services Supervisor, Food Services Supply Clerk, Food Services Coordinator, Grounds Worker/ Gardener I and II, Senior/ Lead Grounds Worker/Gardener, Lead Maintenance Mechanic, Senior Equipment Maintenance Worker. If you are not hired in a listed classification, you may disregard this notification.

ADA Accommodations:

In conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, requests for reasonable accommodations may be made to slever@4cd.edu. For administrative purposes, requests must be made at the time of application.

COVID-19 Information

N/A

Quicklink

https://www.4cdcareers.net/postings/10554

Diversity Statement

It is the District’s policy to ensure that all qualified applicants for employment and employees have full and equal access to employment opportunity, and are not subjected to discrimination in any program or activity of the District on the basis of ethnic group identity, race, color, ancestry, religion, marital status, sex, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, parental status, citizenship or because an individual is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

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