Grounds Maintenance Worker I


GENERAL PURPOSE
Under supervision, performs a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled duties in the maintenance of District grounds, landscaped areas and related facilities; and performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the entry-level class in the grounds maintenance series. Under the supervision of a Lead Grounds Maintenance Worker, or in some cases the Grounds Maintenance Worker II, incumbents work as part of a crew that performs a variety of mowing, trimming and general grounds maintenance duties at District sites and facilities.
Grounds Maintenance Worker I is distinguished from Grounds Maintenance Worker II in that incumbents of the latter class are assigned to work independently at a large school site or are responsible for mowing athletic fields on a District-wide basis.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class. There will typically be an assigned schedule for these duties.
1. Mows, edges, trims and rakes lawns; plants, cultivates and waters lawns, trees, shrubs and flowers; sprays herbicides to control weeds.
2. Sweeps sidewalks and asphalt play areas; picks up rubbish, paper and trash; performs other general grounds cleaning as needed.
3. Lines tracks and playing fields.
4. Assists in pruning trees, plants and shrubs; assists in reseeding, fertilizing and renovating lawns and fields.
5. Assists in the installation and minor repair of sprinkler systems.
6. Operates trucks and lightweight tractor trailers to transport sand, dirt and debris.
7. Performs minor maintenance procedures on grounds equipment; assists in repairing playground equipment.

OTHER DUTIES
1. Operates vehicles to travel to various District sites and ensures proper maintenance of District vehicles.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
1. Cultivating, fertilizing, watering and spraying of flowers, trees and shrubs.
2. Safe work procedures in the operation of hand and power tools and equipment.
3. Herbicides and other chemicals used in grounds maintenance.
4. Operation and maintenance of hand and power tools and equipment used in grounds keeping.
Ability to:
1. Perform general grounds maintenance duties including mowing, edging and weeding.
2. Mow, edge, water, weed, fertilize and cultivate lawns, flower beds, athletic fields and other landscaped areas.
3. Operate a variety of power and hand tools and light motorized equipment including trucks, tractors, power mowers, edgers, weed eaters, thatchers, renovators, sprayers, jackhammers, trimmers, stump grinders, chippers, chain saws, blowers, clippers and others.
4. Understand and follow oral and written directions.
5. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with District management, staff and others encountered in the course of management.
Education, Training and Experience:
Graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent; and one year of grounds maintenance experience involving grounds power equipment operation; or some combination of educa¬tion, training and experience that produces the requisite know¬ledge and ability.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
A valid California Class C driver's license, a good driving record and the ability to maintain insurability under the District’s vehicle insurance policy.
Upon acceptance of the District’s offer of employment, new hires may be required to complete a baseline physical examination prior to the first day of employment.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation.

-Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move over 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

-Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret information; analyze and solve basic problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; and interact with District staff, other organizations and the public. The employee is occasionally required to deal with dissatisfied or quarrelsome individuals.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee regularly works in extreme outside weather conditions, near moving mechanical parts and frequently works on slippery and uneven surfaces. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, vibration, and street/road traffic. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock. The noise level is frequently loud.