Groundskeeper

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 11-16-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS), led by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Success, consists of nearly 800 professional staff and 2100 student staff spanning five major units. Deeply devoted to offering students a transformational educational experience, our division provides campus-wide coordination and leadership of student success programs, activities, and initiatives.

Colleges, Housing and Educational Services (CHES) is a multi-funded organization of the Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS) at UC Santa Cruz. CHES provides leadership in the areas of college student life and residential services, housing services, facilities, capital planning, business and financial analysis, dining services, conference services, and early education services. Through these units, educational and developmental programs and services are offered to all members of the campus community including students, faculty, staff, children and external constituents.

The Facilities unit of CHES provides comprehensive facilities support to over 9,500 student residents in ten colleges and six associated residential communities, as well as seven Dining facilities. The department maintains 191 buildings of 2 million square feet. Facilities employs 45 represented, non-represented career staff, and over 100 student staff positions, and manages an annual budget of approximately $9 million.

The mission of Facilities is to plan for, develop, and maintain a comfortable and safe physical environment for our residents and cost effectively maintain the assets of the campus in a manner that meets the highest standards of the housing and facilities management profession in coordination with other campus facilities units.

JOB SUMMARY

Under supervision, the Groundskeeper is responsible for maintaining the grounds of Family Student Housing and other areas as assigned. The Groundskeeper performs routine day-to-day grounds maintenance tasks and assists in the on-going development of grounds improvements for Family Student Housing and other areas as assigned. The Groundskeeper must interact effectively on a daily basis with other facilities staff, college housing staff, student staff, and residential customers. The incumbent will be cross-trained and able to respond to grounds maintenance needs in various campus housing areas as required.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $27.00/hourly
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Service Employees (SX)

Job Code Classification: GROUNDSKEEPER (008133)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

30% - Basic Maintenance and Safety

• Perform various grounds maintenance tasks on a daily basis that consist of litter and refuse collection by emptying trash receptacles and picking up ground litter, cleaning hard surface areas, and the observation, reporting, and eliminating safety hazards in the landscape.
• Safely use and operate trucks and other light construction vehicles, riding mowers, hand or power tools, and equipment such as power mowers, power edgers, string trimmers, power blowers, rakes, hoes, etc.
• Perform minor repairs and modifications to tools and equipment.
• Maintain garbage dumpster areas as needed.

25% - Horticultural Maintenance

• Prune shrubs and ground covers.
• Maintain planting areas by removing weeds, cultivating soils, mulching, and keeping areas suited for optimum plant health.
• Manually water grounds areas that are not equipped with automatic irrigation systems.
• Identify signs and symptoms of irrigation problems.
• Apply and spread mulch as required.
• Prepare soil for planting; hoe, weed, rake lawns and common areas.

15% - Vegetation Control

• Control vegetation and meadow grass as needed using string or blade trimmer, walk-behind high weed mower, lopper, weed wrenches, or other appropriate tools.

10% - Oversight of Student Employee(s)

• Provide oversight for student maintenance assistants.
• Coordinate student work schedules and work assignments.
• Train students and inspect the quality of their work.
• Ensure safe practices and proper PPE are utilized.
• Assist with reporting of student time.

5% - Pest Management

• Identify landscape pests and use integrated pest management for their control as directed by supervision.
• Control vertebrate pests such as gophers, moles, and ground squirrels in assigned areas including area turf using traps, or other appropriate means.

5% - Storm Drain Maintenance and Erosion Control

• Assess area storm drain system structure and perform preventative maintenance to ensure operation as designed.
• Inspect and clean catch basins, outfalls, trench drains, and other storm drain components regularly.
• Identify erosion problem areas and mitigate using mulch ground cover, and light grading.
• Notify the supervisor of issues beyond the position's scope.
• Document maintenance on PM log.

5% - Documentation and Control

• Communicate with supervisor, coworkers, other divisions and departments, and emergency personnel if needed using phone, email, and text as appropriate.
• Complete CruzFix work orders and enter time and materials as required.

5% - Other Grounds Duties

• Load, transport and lift concrete sacks (up to 100 lbs) with accommodation and assistance of coworkers.
• Mix cement, as needed, for small construction projects; assist in the construction of small projects.
• Assist with master plan grounds projects as directed.
• Recommend supplies and equipment purchase needs to supervisor and maintain an inventory of tools.
• Assist in the coordination of the hazardous waste program.
• Respond to residents' grounds-related questions and refer to the supervisor as needed.
• Conduct ongoing inspection of residents' yards and notify supervisor of policy violations; post notices to residents as directed.
• Assist with the Campus Recycling program as needed.
• Will drive campus-owned vehicles and/or a personal vehicle to perform various duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in grounds maintenance or gardening or equivalent skills as obtained through work experience, and in participation in course work or training programs.
• Experience in the installation and maintenance of irrigation systems.
• Experience in simple carpentry work necessary to make repairs to fences, retaining walls, and other landscape features.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic calculations necessary for grounds maintenance tasks and record keeping.
• Interpersonal and communication skills necessary to work effectively and cooperatively with college residents, student employees, college staff, campus craft workers, and faculty.
• Knowledge of personal computer productivity tools, including word processing software, e-mail, and Internet browser applications.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team; to appropriately prioritize work; and to communicate progress to supervisor on assigned projects.
• The ability to read University correspondence, training materials, policies, and procedures with comprehension sufficient to act appropriately based on the written materials.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of Qualified Applicator Certificate.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California and participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
• Ability to perform grounds keeping duties outdoors through all seasons of weather in developed and undeveloped environments.
• Ability to perform work overhead and to perform repetitive tasks.
• Ability to work from a stepladders and extension ladders.
• Ability to safely move up to 100lbs with accommodation and assistance of coworkers.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.