MIRACOSTA COLLEGE
CLASS TITLE:
GROUNDS SUPERVISOR
BASIC FUNCTION:
Under the direction of Director, Facilities, plan, organize and supervise turf and landscape
maintenance operations at Oceanside and CLC campuses; direct the application of chemicals
and oversee the planning, installation and repair of irrigation systems; assist with water needs and
consumption; train, and evaluate Grounds personnel; oversee recycling program.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
1. Plan, organize and supervise turf and landscape maintenance operations. Develop and
implement a preventive maintenance program for grounds equipment. Test new products;
interview vendors regarding new items; prepare and monitor budget as assigned.
2. Plan schedules for new planting and routine grounds care, feeding and watering; direct
water conservation efforts through proper and efficient irrigation methods, equipment use
and drought-resistant plant selection.
3. Develop and maintain pesticide program. Plan and coordinate major chemical spray
programs and routine spray schedule; determine types and amounts of chemicals to apply
and area to be sprayed; oversee sanitizing of respiratory protective equipment and
maintenance of related records. Control inventory and distribution of pesticides.
Coordinate and conduct annual safety training for immediate staff and other department
personnel. Maintain records of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all chemicals in
inventory; submit monthly reports to the Department of Food and Agriculture on pesticide
usage.
4. Prepare and interpret policies and regulations regarding safety codes, first aid procedures
and pesticide laws. Conduct regular safety inspections of MiraCosta grounds to ensure
adherence to safety standards; inspect equipment for safe and proper working conditions.
5. Responsible for requisition or purchase of supplies, equipment and machinery; maintain
records and prepare reports of work accomplished, materials purchased and used, cost
estimates and priorities of grounds projects; review and approve receipts for merchandise
purchased.
6. Direct and participate in the planting of shrubs, flowers, trees, ground cover, turf and other
items; design plans for areas to be landscaped or replanted including the selection of
trees, shrubs and groundcover.
7. Oversee installation and maintenance of irrigation and fire main systems. Schedule
inspection and repairs by contractor. Ensure compliance with Clean Water Act.
8. Direct and participate in the maintenance and marking of athletic fields for
District teams and clubs; prioritize and schedule work projects to avoid conflict
with scheduled games, practices and classes.
MIRACOSTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
(E) = Essential job function
2/17/04
GROUNDS SUPERVISOR
2
9. Coordinate leased use of District sports fields by community organizations. Establish rules
and regulations for usage; assess damage and/or liability from rules infractions and
determine consequences; oversee basic maintenance performed by outside personnel;
schedule down time for maintenance of fields; coordinate field cancellation due to
inclement weather/irrigation breaks etc; monitor the daily assignment of teams to fields
according to constantly changing schedules; coordinate layout of fields for some
organizations.
10. Inspect grounds for safety issues and needed maintenance care and determine need for
spraying, fertilizing, pruning and new planting; supervise pest and weed control, spraying
and related activities; notify Director of issues and concerns.
11. Operate a variety of machinery and equipment including tractors, dump truck, hydraulic
mower, electric cart, sweepers, aerators, fork lift, chain saw and a variety of power and
hand tools; train other Grounds and District employees on equipment use and
maintenance as needed.
12. Interface with contractors during the installation of landscape and other grounds projects
and contracts as required, including County Probation department. Solicit quotes for low
dollar value/informal contracts; establish schedules; monitor work in progress; sign off on
completion; and process paperwork for payment.
13. Oversee Oceanside campus recycling program, including green waste. Schedule refuse
abatement work to ensure timely collection of recycling materials.
14. Perform related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Soil and turf management.
Approved methods of planting and caring for hedges, trees, shrubs, lawns and flowers.
Common plant diseases, pests and the approved methods and materials used in their control and
eradication.
Landscape design and plant identification.
Proper methods, materials, tools and equipment used in grounds maintenance work.
District organization, operations, policies and objectives.
Recordkeeping techniques.
Budgeting methods and practices.
Oral and written communication skills.
Principles and practices of supervision and training.
Technical aspects of grounds maintenance.
Health and safety regulations relating to power equipment and toxic chemical application.
ABILITY TO:
Plan and coordinate the work of Grounds personnel.
Work from sketches and blueprints.
Instruct others in the use of proper methods, tools, materials and equipment used in grounds
maintenance.
MIRACOSTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
(E) = Essential job function
2/17/04
GROUNDS SUPERVISOR
3
Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Meet schedules and timelines.
Work independently with little direction.
Understand and follow oral and written directions.
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
Plan and organize work.
Train, supervise and evaluate personnel.
Show sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse socioeconomic, cultural, disability and
ethnic backgrounds of community college students.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination equivalent to an Associate in Arts degree in Horticulture, Landscape
Management or related field and two years directly related work experience.
LICENSE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Valid California driver license; District-approved DMV drivers record; qualified pesticide
applicator's certificate.
WORK DIRECTION, LEAD AND SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead Groundskeeper, Irrigation Specialist, Gardener/groundskeepers and Refuse Abatement
Worker.
CONTACTS:
Coworkers, student workers. Special Services Coordinator; campus police; various governmental
agencies; organizers of community programs; outside contractors/vendors including County
Probation department,
PHYSICAL EFFORT:
Heavy physical labor with constant standing and walking for extended periods of time; walking
over rough or uneven surfaces; frequent lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling of objects
weighing up to fifty (50) pounds; frequent bending, kneeling and stooping; manual dexterity
required to operate power equipment safely; ability to understand and follow verbal and/or
written directions; ability to operate District vehicles including electric carts to carry, pick-up or
deliver supplies to various work areas and/or campus locations.
EMOTIONAL EFFORT:
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with other individuals from
diverse backgrounds; ability to personally interact and communicate appropriately with
students, staff and/or faculty on a regular, on-going basis; ability to effectively direct the work of
others, work alone or as a crew member on a variety of assigned tasks while meeting
established deadlines and changing priorities.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Primarily outdoor environment in all weather conditions including rain and extreme heat;
exposure to sun for extended periods of time; work on slippery and/or uneven surfaces; work
while using or wearing safety equipment such as respirators, protective gloves, steel toed
MIRACOSTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
(E) = Essential job function
2/17/04
GROUNDS SUPERVISOR
4
footwear, face shields and goggles, spray and rain suits; exposure to dust, oil/grease, gasoline,
diesel fuel, smoke and pollen, and/or hazardous materials such as pesticides, herbicides,
solvents and other toxic chemicals and fumes; exposure to loud noise levels from equipment
and vehicle operation; must work with and around extremely dangerous equipment and
machinery with moving parts; work assignments may be scheduled at any campus location(s),
day and/or evenings and weekends as needed to conduct District business.
MIRACOSTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
(E) = Essential job function
2/17/04