Groundsworker

Facilities Management - Grounds
Job #540403
Close Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Open Until Filled

At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future.

Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.

Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have over 6,000 students of all backgrounds spread across 61 majors, 13 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs — all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability. Hands-on learning, inspired teaching, ground-breaking research, and thought-provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.

Cal Poly Humboldt is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that strives to foster an inclusive and equitable community to support our students of diverse backgrounds. We are committed to achieving the goals of equal opportunity and endeavors to employ faculty and staff of the highest quality committed to working in a multicultural and multiracial community that reflects the diversity of the state.

Finding a better future is a task for the bold and open, the down-to-earth and visionary. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field.

(Job #540403) Groundsworker, Groundsworker, Salary Range: $3,722 - $5,840 monthly. Hiring Range: $3,722 - $3,908 monthly. This is a full-time, benefited, non-exempt, 12-month pay plan permanent position with a one-year probationary period in Facilities Management – Grounds Department. This position comes with a premium benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, voluntary pre-tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts, a fee waiver education program, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and 14 paid holidays per year. Additional benefits information can be found at https://hraps.humboldt.edu/employee-benefits.

Position Summary:

Under general supervision of the Director of Operations and with lead work direction by Gardening Specialists, the Groundsworker performs general gardening work and maintenance of the campus grounds in an assigned area of the campus. This particular Groundsworker is trained to support Grounds Maintenance in every zone on campus, rotating between the Gardening Specialists on a weekly basis.

 

Key Responsibilities:

Routine vegetation Maintenance – 35%

1. Plant, cultivate, fertilize, water and spray ornamental plants, shrubs, hedges, trees, lawns, and flowers.
2. Prepare and treat soils for planting.
3. Trim trees, hedges and shrubs and erects tree supports.
4. May occasionally assist a qualified specialist in sprinkler repair, spraying, tree trimming or nursery functions.
5. Drives pick-ups and other automotive equipment in performance of assigned duties.

Routine Grounds Cleanup and Maintenance – 35%

1. Rake leaves/duff.
2. Weed removal.
3. Clean trash from assigned areas including parking lots.
4. Maintains a safe and clean work environment.

Specialized Grounds Work – 20%

1. Street Sweeping
2. Outdoor Event Support
3. Maintain hoses, sprinklers, tools, supplies and equipment in proper condition and repair (clean/service/maintain tools).
4. Operate and perform maintenance on small power-operated pavement sweepers, power mowers, small riding mowers and other gardening power equipment.

Participate in University-required Trainings/Meetings, Mobilize/Demobilization & Recordkeeping/Timekeeping Tasks – 5%

1. Tracks and reports time and materials for assigned work.  Maintain records and retrieves data related to work performed using manual and/or computerized record-keeping systems.
2. Attends mandated University trainings (safety and other), meetings and other events during normal work hours and as requested.
3. Utilizes University time management/absence reporting system as directed by supervisor.
4. May perform any necessary functions in the event of an emergency (i.e., earthquake, fire, flood, etc.,) that can be safely performed.

Other duties as Assigned – 5%

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include:

In addition to the required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed in the minimum qualifications below:

• Ability to prepare standard reports or fill out forms related to the duties required of the position.
• Ability to analyze and respond appropriately to emergency situations.
• ability to work independently with general supervision to accomplish assigned tasks.
• Ability to use maintenance management and work reporting systems such as those used to track work orders and obtain warehouse supplies.
• Ability to use two-way radios or other devices for communication.
• Ability to observe safety requirements and safe work practices and methods as required including the use of personal protective equipment.
• Ability to recognize and accommodate changing priorities.
• Ability to meet short- and long-term deadlines/goals; and complete routine tasks despite intermittent interruptions.  This includes managing multiple tasks and working proactively to avoid crisis and backlog.
• Experience working effectively with a diverse population.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge:

• 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.
• Knowledge of the use and care of gardening materials, tools, and equipment.

Abilities:

• 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.
• Ability to 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.

Experience:

• One year of experience in the care and maintenance of landscaped areas or in general grounds maintenance work, or in related manual labor.

License:

• Possession of a valid California driver’s license.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

1. At least 6 months of experience working in a similar position within a college, university, or institutional environment.

 

Application Procedure: To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials by clicking the Apply Now button:

• Letter of Interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for at least three professional references

Application Deadline: The deadline to submit application materials is 11:55 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

Any inquiries about this recruitment can be directed to careers@humboldt.edu or Cal Poly Humboldt’s Human Resources Office at (707) 826-3626.

We acknowledge that Cal Poly Humboldt is located on the unceded lands of the Wiyot people, where they have resided from time immemorial. We encourage all to gain a deeper understanding of their history and thriving culture. As an expression of our gratitude we are genuinely committed to developing trusting, reciprocal, and long lasting partnerships with the Wiyot people as well as all of our neighboring tribes. Cal Poly Humboldt was the first campus in the California State University system to offer a stand-alone major in Native American Studies.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to enriching its educational environment and its culture through the diversity of its staff, faculty, and administration. Persons with interest and experience in helping organizations set and achieve goals relative to diversity and inclusion are especially encouraged to apply.

Working in the state of California is a condition of employment for this position. Even if part or all of an employee's assignment can be performed remotely, the employee must maintain a permanent residence in the state of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus work assignment, as assigned, and come to campus when needed.

CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measure established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at CSU Vaccination Policy and any questions you have may be submitted to hr@humboldt.edu.

Cal Poly Humboldt hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. This position may be considered a “Campus Security Authority”, pursuant to the Clery Act, and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1107 a condition of employment.

CAL POLY HUMBOLDT IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

Evidence of required degree(s), certification(s), or license(s) is required prior to the appointment date. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check, employment verification, and education verification) is required for employment. Cal Poly Humboldt will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or if it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Certain positions may also require a credit check, motor vehicle report, and/or fingerprinting through Live Scan service. Failure to satisfactorily complete or adverse findings from a background check may affect the employment status of candidates or continued employment of current CSU employees who are being considered for the position.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to achieving the goals of equal opportunity and endeavors to employ faculty and staff of the highest quality reflecting the ethnic and cultural diversity of the state. Additional information about Cal Poly Humboldt can be found at www.humboldt.edu.

Cal Poly Humboldt is a Title IX/Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.  Mandated Reporting: This position may be considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Additionally, all CSU staff and faculty receive training annually on their obligations in responding to and reporting incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence. You will be notified by email when you are required to take this mandated training.

Class Code: 0731
Publication Date: December 3, 2024