MIRACOSTA COLLEGE
CLASS TITLE:
GARDENER/GROUNDSKEEPER
BASIC FUNCTION:
Under the direction of the Grounds Supervisor or the Lead Groundskeeper, perform a variety of
gardening and grounds maintenance duties; provide safe and appropriate environs, facilities
and outdoor classrooms for the use and enjoyment of students, faculty, staff and visitors; plan,
design, install, and maintain landscapes; apply pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals to
vegetation; operate a wide variety of power equipment and machinery.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
1.
Irrigate, trim, edge, aerate, mow, fertilize and renovate lawns and turfed areas; irrigate,
feed, spray and cultivate around trees, shrubs and hedges; trim and prune trees, shrubs
and hedges. (E)
2.
Plant new lawns, trees, shrubs, hedges and flowers; evaluate soil and other relevant
conditions and assist in selection of vegetation types. (E)
3.
Coordinate with the Lead Groundskeeper and diagnose disease and pest conditions;
spray landscaped areas with toxic herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and rodenticides;
prepare chemical mixtures in proper proportions; locate, trap and bait rodents; maintain
accurate pesticide use records; all according to federal, state and county regulations. (E)
4.
Provide other regular maintenance to grounds such as weeding, raking and maintaining
assigned areas in a clean, safe and orderly condition; assist with refuse abatement. (E)
5.
Maintain outside athletic fields and equipment such as baseball and soccer fields and
tennis courts; prepare, line, mark and drag areas for athletic events; install athletic
equipment as directed. (E)
6.
Construct, repair, resurface and maintain concrete and asphalt walkways, curbs and
ramps; mix and pour concrete; and assist in the planning, preparation and maintenance
of overflow parking areas. (E)
7.
Provide a variety of general maintenance to campus grounds; blow, sweep and wash
sidewalks, roadways, parking lots, tennis courts, and other hardscapes to maintain in a
clean, safe and orderly condition; provide assistance to the Recycling Program; pick up
and deliver grounds related materials. (E)
8.
Inspect, repair and replace automatic and manual sprinkler valves, irrigation lines and
sprinkler heads; inspect functioning of controllers and repair as necessary to provide
proper irrigation.
9.
Assist in routine maintenance and repair of tools, small power equipment, large
construction and maintenance equipment and machinery.
10.
Maintain daily work records, hazardous materials records and restricted pesticide use
records; maintain fuel consumption records, parts and materials inventory and work
MIRACOSTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
(E) = Essential job function
8/12/13
GARDENER/GROUNDSKEEPER
2
orders.
11.
Provide work direction and guidance to student groundskeeping crews as assigned.
12.
Perform general duties such as installing traffic control sign posts, setting up for campus
events and outdoor classrooms as needed.
13.
Perform related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
KNOWLEDGE OF:
District organization, operations, policies and objectives.
Methods, materials, tools and equipment used in grounds maintenance and gardening and
landscaping duties.
Operation and use of large and small power grounds equipment and machinery.
Cultivating, watering, fertilizing and spraying of trees, lawns, shrubs and flowers.
Appropriate health and safety precautions and procedures related to grounds maintenance
activities including use of chemicals.
Basic recordkeeping techniques.
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
ABILITY TO:
Learn to interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures and apply them in
a variety of procedural situations.
Understand and follow oral and written directions.
Operate a variety of office equipment, including computer and appropriate software.
Safely operate a variety of grounds maintenance equipment including tractors, tractor-towed
mower, skip loader, scraper, grader, ditcher, power edger, chipper, power sweeper, turf
vacuum, man lift and forklift, van, electric carts, riding mower, backhoes, trenchers, skid
steers, boom trucks, dump truck.
Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
Meet schedules and timelines.
Work as a member of a team.
Work independently with little direction.
Work from blueprints, shop drawings and sketches.
Maintain routine records.
Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural,
ethnic and disability issues.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school and one year closely
related work experience.
LICENSE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Valid California driver license. District-approved DMV driving record. Backhoe safety training;
and forklift safety training.
MIRACOSTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
(E) = Essential job function
8/12/13
GARDENER/GROUNDSKEEPER
3
WORK DIRECTION, LEAD AND SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Not assigned permanent staff to supervise. Provides work direction to student workers and/or
temporary staff.
CONTACTS:
Coworkers, faculty, staff, contractors, vendors and trade professionals, Campus Police
personnel, and the public.
PHYSICAL EFFORT:
Heavy physical labor with constant standing and walking for extended periods of time; walking
over rough or uneven surfaces; frequent pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying of heavy objects
weighing up to 75 pounds; frequent bending, stooping and kneeling; manual dexterity to operate
power equipment in a safe manner; operating motorized equipment and vehicles; ability to
operate electric cart to travel and/or to pick-up/deliver supplies to a variety of locations on
campus; subject to occasional travel to other district locations to work as needed.
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 work alone or as a crew member
on a variety of assigned tasks while meeting established deadlines and changing priorities.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Outside environment in all weather conditions including rain and extreme heat; exposure to sun
for extended periods of time; work on slippery or uneven surfaces; work while wearing personal
protection equipment including respirators, protective gloves, protective footwear, face shields,
goggles, spray suits and rain suits; subject to exposure to dust, dirt, oil/grease, gasoline, diesel
fuel, smoke and pollen; subject to exposure to hazardous materials such as pesticides,
herbicides, solvents and other toxic chemicals and fumes; exposure to extreme noise and
fumes/exhaust from equipment and vehicle operation; exposed to working with or around
extremely dangerous equipment and machinery with moving parts. May be required to work at
any district location during day and/or evening hours with occasional evenings, holidays and/or
weekends on an as-needed basis; occasional local travel may be requested.
MIRACOSTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
(E) = Essential job function
8/12/13