Gardener/Groundskeeper

Job Description / Essential Elements:

Job Description
GARDENER/GROUNDSKEEPER
Overview
Under general supervision, to perform gardening and grounds maintenance work on school grounds and athletic fields; and to do related work as required.
Major Responsibilities
· Maintains landscaped areas. · Plants and cultivates trees, grass, flowers, and shrubs. · Sprays for control of pests and plant diseases. · Cuts and edges lawns and borders and rakes leaves. · Sweeps sidewalks and related areas. · Prepares soils for various kinds of planting and uses fertilizer as needed. · Mows, rakes, weeds, sows, and waters lawns. · Prunes shrubs and trees. · Re-seeds turf areas in athletic fields and replaces sod as necessary. · Lays down lime on baselines and foul-lines before each game. · Measures and burns new lines as needed. · Measures and burns/paints new lines on athletic fields as needed. · Prepares athletic fields for events. · Cleans and repairs fields and facilities. · Cleans drains and catch basins. · Services and makes minor repairs to power mowers and other gardening/landscaping machinery, tools, and equipment.
Environment: Exposure to weather, extreme heat and wet and/or humid conditions; exposure to constant intermittent sounds of different noise levels (e.g. Jack hammer).
Physical Abilities: Sitting and standing for prolonged periods of time. Moderate to heavy lifting (up to 100 pounds) Reaching, stretching, stooping, pulling, pushing, climbing, twisting, kneeling, crouching, squatting, and manual dexterity. Drive vehicles and operate other equipment. STRENGTH TESTING REQUIREMENT: The applicant must be able to meet or exceed the validated cut-off score on a Static Strength Test established for this position. Successful completion of the test is correlated with the ability to perform the essential physical tasks identified for this position.
Qualifications
Any combination equivalent to one year of experience in grounds maintenance, gardening or related work; knowledge of gardening materials, tools, and equipment, and of their use and care; ability to perform general gardening and grounds keeping work; ability to repair and maintain tools and equipment; ability to learn the more common plant diseases and insect pests and approved methods and materials used in controlling them; ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions; ability to perform heavy manual labor; possess a valid California Motor Vehicle Driver's License; requires regular attendance; ability to work cooperatively with others; ability to deal politely with members of the public; ability to juggle several tasks at once, and to work in a stressful atmosphere.
*The Education Code requires that a criminal background check be conducted on all persons prior to employment by a school district to ascertain whether the applicant has been arrested or convicted of any crime. Conviction of certain crimes designated as a “violent felony” or a “serious felony” may disqualify a person from employment.
Board Approved: 6/95

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