Title: Grounds Specialist
Job Category: CSEA
Job Opening Date: August 07, 2023
Job Closing Date:
Location: Irvine Valley College
Work Location: Irvine, CA
Department: Grounds Maintenance
Pay Grade, for more information click on this link:
https://www.socccd.edu/departments/human-resources/contracts-and-salary-schedules
Pay Rate Type: Monthly
Work Days: Monday - Friday
Work Hours: 6:00am - 2.30pm (Schedule and Shift are subject to change in accordance with the department needs.)
Hours Per Week: 40
Percentage of Employment: 100
Months of Employment: 12
Salary: Starting at $5,003 per month
Job Description:
C.S.E.A. Classified Bargaining Unit Salary Schedule Range 122
Initial Screening Date: September 5, 2023
Required Documents:
Resume & Cover Letter - Applications with missing documents will not be considered .
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Under general supervision from higher level supervisory and/or management staff, performs a variety of specialized, semi-skilled, and skilled duties in the development, maintenance, and repair of landscaped areas, athletic fields, and related facilities and open spaces of a community college campus; installs and repairs, and maintains irrigation systems; operates and maintains a variety of hand and power tools and equipment; and performs a variety of general maintenance work relative to assigned area of responsibility. May receive functional supervision, technical training and work direction from a higher-level groundskeeper.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the specialized nature of assigned duties. Incumbents perform the full range of duties assigned to positions in the Groundskeeper class and, in addition, have primary responsibility for performing specialized duties related to the installation, maintenance, and repair of irrigation systems. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
- Perform a variety of specialized, semi-skilled, and skilled duties in the development, maintenance, and repair of landscaped areas, athletic fields, and related facilities and open spaces of a community college campus.
- Provide lead direction or complex assistance in the maintenance and repair of the irrigation system assuring the adherence to safety standards regarding reclaimed water; change and adjust heads; maintain controllers.
- Provide lead direction in large irrigation system installation and maintenance projects; perform major main line installations and repairs; inspect main lines as necessary.
- Participate in local water district and health department cross connection tests and irrigation inspections.
- Participate in a variety of landscape maintenance duties including watering, mowing, weeding, trimming, edging, renovating and fertilizing lawns.
- Participate in planting, watering and maintaining landscaped areas consisting of bushes, trees, flowers and shrubs; re-seed, plant and maintain new grass and plants; trim and prune bushes, trees and shrubs; stake trees as necessary.
- Rake leaves and/or clear debris from walks, fields, courts, parking lots and other open areas using a blower; load, remove and dispose of trimmings and cuttings; empty trash receptacles and transport rubbish to the local landfill.
- Safely apply herbicides, fungicides and pesticides according to established rules and procedures; maintain records of fertilizers and chemicals used.
- Participate in preparing, maintaining and painting athletic fields for a variety of sporting events.
- Operate a variety of heavy equipment and other maintenance equipment such as dump trunks, backhoes, front loaders, and power tools such as mowers, edgers and blowers; ensure adherence to established safety procedures.
- Perform preventative maintenance to vehicles, equipment, and tools; make minor adjustments and repairs; report the need for major repairs and maintenance.
- Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
- Utilize proper safety precautions related to all work performed.
Perform related duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
Knowledge of:
- Operations, services, and activities of a grounds maintenance program including irrigation systems.
- Local water district standards and state regulations applicable to the use of reclaimed water.
- Installation, maintenance and repair of water systems.
- Methods, techniques, tools, and materials used in the installation, troubleshooting, maintenance and repair of landscaped irrigation systems.
- Methods, tools, materials and equipment used in comprehensive grounds maintenance program.
- Methods and techniques of mowing, edging, pruning and trimming a variety of lawns, shrubs and trees.
- Operational characteristics of grounds maintenance equipment and tools used in the area of assignment.
- Common insecticides, pesticides and herbicides and their application.
- Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
- Basic sprinkler operation and maintenance.
- Principles and practices of record keeping.
- Pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations pertaining to the application of various insecticides, pesticides and herbicides.
Ability to:
- Perform the more complex maintenance and repair work in the care and maintenance of campus grounds, including landscaped areas, athletic fields, lawns and related areas.
- Perform skilled irrigation systems maintenance, installation and repair work.
- Adhere to local water district and health department laws and guidelines involving reclaimed water usage.
- Test and monitor potable and reclaimed water systems to ensure that no cross-contamination occurs.
- Operate a variety of tools, equipment and vehicles used in grounds maintenance work.
- Perform grounds maintenance work in accordance with established schedules and in preparation for special events.
- Care for and maintain plants, shrubs, flowers, turf and trees.
- Safely and effectively apply fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.
- Apply NCAA Athletic Field rules and Measurements.
- Perform heavy manual labor.
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Mix, pour and finish concrete as needed.
- Apply insecticides and herbicides to assure insect and weed control when authorized.
- Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education/Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in general grounds maintenance and irrigation systems.
Experience:
Two years of grounds maintenance experience that includes irrigation system installation and maintenance related work.
License or Certificate:
- Possession of a valid California driver’s license and proof of insurability.
- Possession of a valid California Pesticide Applicator Certificate.
- Some positions in this class may be required to attend Forklift Training and obtain certification.
- Some positions in this class may be required to attend Heavy and Power Equipment Training and obtain certification.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment:
Work is performed in an outdoor field environment; travel from site to site; exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals, noxious weeds and plants, dust, pollens, insect stings, noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, noxious odors, gases, and all types of weather and temperature conditions; work and/or walk on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain. Occasional exposure to risks controlled by safety precautions.
Physical:
Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a field environment; walk, stand, and sit for prolonged periods of time; frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, reach, and twist; push, pull, lift, and/or carry moderate to heavy amounts of weights; operate assigned equipment and vehicles; verbally communicate to exchange information. Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction. Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
SPECIAL COVID-19 NOTICE:
Interviews may be held in-person (following all necessary precautions) or in a virtual format. Employees must reside in California while employed with the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD), even during remote work. Thank you for your continued interest in working at the SOCCCD.
The SOCCCD is committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of students, faculty, staff, administrators, and the communities it serves. More information can be found on our District website by visiting https://www.socccd.edu/communications/covid-19-information.
NOTICE TO ALL CANDIDATES FOR EMPLOYMENT:
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Public Law 99-603, requires that employers obtain documentation from every new employee which authorizes that individual to accept employment in this country. SOCCCD will not sponsor any visa applications.
PLEASE NOTE:
A California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) retiree may not accept employment until after the first 180 days of retirement. Anyone retired from CalPERS accepting permanent employment with this District will be required to reinstate as an active CalPERS member. Please contact CalPERS for additional information regarding your retirement status.
Any active vested member of California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS), who accepts employment with the District to perform service that requires membership in CalPERS, is eligible to elect to continue retirement system coverage under CalSTRS
DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONS:
If you require special accommodations in the application and/or selection process, please notify District Human Resources at least two (2) business days prior to the Job Close Date/Initial Screening Date, by either calling (949) 582-4850 or sending an e-mail to hrinfodesk@socccd.edu.
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT:
Report to work on a regular and consistent basis, as scheduled, to assigned job.
CAMPUS CRIME AND SAFETY AWARENESS:
Information regarding campus crime and safety awareness can be found at www.saddleback.edu or www.ivc.edu. Paper copies are available in the District Human Resources office upon request.
