Job Title

Lead Groundsworker

Classification

Lead Groundsworker

Auto Req. ID

556832

Salary Range

Classification Range $3,890 - $5,555 per month

(Hiring range depending on qualifications, not anticipated to exceed $3,890 - $4,649 per month)

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; occasional early morning, evening and/or weekend hours.                                          

Why CSUF

California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) is a leading public university committed to student success, academic excellence, and inclusive excellence. The university fosters a collaborative environment that supports teaching, research, and service while promoting innovation and professional growth. Cal State Fullerton is both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, and a recipient of the Seal of Excelencia (2021 and 2024) from Excelencia in Education. Joining Cal State Fullerton means becoming part of a community dedicated to advancing student achievement, career success, and economic mobility.

Department

Facilities Management is committed to planning, developing, and maintaining a safe, sustainable, and high-quality learning and working environment for the campus community. Facilities Management provides oversight of university resources and assets and is responsible for the development of the University’s facilities including land use planning, capital improvement, project development, construction, as well as facilities operations and maintenance including custodial services, landscape services, building trade services, mechanical and electrical, and recycling services. We seek an exceptional individual to join our Landscape Services team as the Lead Groundsworker. The ideal candidate in this role should have a positive attitude and an active, energetic mind characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to inclusivity, openness, flexibility, integrity, and kindness.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Landscape Services Manager and President's Office management, or designees, the Lead Groundsworker independently performs and coordinates a wide range of landscape and grounds maintenance activities at El Dorado Ranch (EDR), an off-campus California State University, Fullerton property. Takes ownership and pride in maintaining the overall appearance, safety, and functionality of the property's landscapes, gardens, trees, turf, irrigation systems, and outdoor environments through proactive maintenance, routine inspections, and proactive landscape improvements. This position independently performs advanced grounds maintenance work and coordinates landscape maintenance activities to preserve and enhance the aesthetic quality of the property. The Lead Groundsworker will oversee the work of Groundsworkers who are assigned to EDR to assist with maintenance work and projects. Demonstrates strong initiative, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to anticipating landscape needs, identifying potential issues, and recommending improvements. Regularly monitors property conditions, performs landscape maintenance and irrigation repairs, coordinates work with vendors and service providers when necessary, and ensures the grounds and outdoor areas remain safe, attractive, and properly maintained at all times.

This position requires strong communication skills, excellent customer service, and a high level of professionalism when interacting with residents, university staff, vendors, and service providers. In addition to working at El Dorado Ranch, the Lead Groundsworker may perform landscape maintenance work on the main campus as needed and scheduled. Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications

Thorough knowledge of general gardening and grounds maintenance methods. General knowledge of proper methods of planting, cultivating, and caring for hedges, ornamental trees, shrubs, lawns, and flowers, and the use and care of gardening materials, tools, and equipment. Ability to recognize the more common species of ornamental shrubs, trees and flowers grown in California; perform strenuous physical work as described in this classification; utilize mechanical aptitude and motor coordination; learn to skillfully operate small trucks and power-driven grounds equipment; read and write at a level appropriate to the duties of the position; and follow simple oral and written instructions. One year of experience in the care and maintenance of landscaped areas or in general grounds maintenance work, or in related manual labor. Working knowledge of effective lead and supervisory practices and techniques. Ability to provide lead work direction, including training others on proper work methods and safety and providing feedback on work performance. Ability to read and write in English at a level appropriate for the duties of the position.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to complete the background check satisfactorily may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.  

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of methods/materials used in landscape maintenance and athletic fields/facilities. Ability to operate small engine powered equipment, large turf equipment, skip loader, tractors and forklift up to 3000-pound capacity. Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills. Ability to read and write in the English language in order to understand and follow verbal instructions, communicate with co-workers and customers, and direct the work of others. Basic computer skills and knowledge (i.e., work order database, Absence Management, work email, etc.).

License/Certifications

A valid California driver’s license.  

Special Working Conditions

Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator

A significant portion of work is performed outdoors at an off-campus property. Work may involve exposure to varying weather conditions including heat, cold, wind, and rain. May be asked to respond to urgent landscape or property needs outside normal schedules. Ability to distinguish colors.

Benefits at a Glance

• An array of health plans that include prescription drug coverage
• Dental and Vision coverage
• Income protection benefits including life insurance and disability
• Retirement plan through CalPERS
• Tuition waiver for employees and dependents if eligible
• FlexCash (in lieu of health and dental)
• Employee Assistance Programs
• 15 paid holidays

See our CSUF Benefits website for additional information.

Additional Information

California State University, Fullerton is committed to fostering an environment where students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. We welcome individuals ready to make an impact on student and staff success to apply and become part of the Titan Community. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Cal State Fullerton is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination based on regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or any other protected status.

As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Multiple positions may be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of the applicant pool.

If you are applying for a staff position, please note that you are not eligible to work concurrently in a staff position and an Academic Student position such as a Graduate Assistant, Teaching Associate, Instructional Student Assistant, or Student Assistant position.

Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment.

Employee/applicant who applies for a position may be required to successfully complete job-related performance test(s) as part of the selection process.  

Online application/resume must be received by electronic submission on the final filing date by 9:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time)/midnight (Eastern Standard Time). Applicants who fail to complete all sections of the online application form will be disqualified from consideration. 

California State University, Fullerton is not currently sponsoring any new H-1B petitions for staff, management, or faculty positions.

Effective October 1, 2025, the California State University (CSU) will implement a salary step structure for CSUEU-represented employees in bargaining units 2, 5, 7, and 9. This position may be subject to changes resulting from this implementation, in alignment with the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.

Hiring Preference

On-Campus CSUEU Employees