Groundskeeper Lead

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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: 02/10/2025

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

Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) supports the University's mission by providing access to UC Santa Cruz, acting as fiscal stewards, and managing the sustainable planning, design, and operation of safe and equitable bicycle and pedestrian programs, transit services, parking, and other transportation-related needs. TAPS is dedicated to being innovative, sustainable, and customer-focused in its provision of access to the university.

More information can be found at: https://taps.ucsc.edu/

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the TAPS Field Operations Supervisor, the incumbent provides lead services to the TAPS maintenance operations. This includes directing the workflow, hiring and training student staff, handling complaints and resolving problems, managing supplies and equipment to ensure that work can be performed, coordinating the repair and maintenance of vehicles and equipment, independently identifying, eliminating, and/or reducing potential liability issues while correcting related deficiencies, and performing various maintenance tasks on parking lots, bicycle paths and racks, and transit shelters.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $24.11/hour
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-Sun, TBD
• Shift Includes: Day, Evening, Weekend

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: SX, Service Unit

Job Code Classification: GROUNDSKEEPER LD (008132)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

60% - Maintenance Operations

• Works with the supervisor to establish maintenance programs for parking lots, bus shelters, bike paths, and bike racks.
  Maintains parking lots (e.g., clean storm drains and hard surfaces, remove trash, clean up spills, paint lines, and other markings).
• Clean parking lots using equipment such as blowers, brooms, and trash pickers to remove debris and maintain a tidy appearance.
• Repairs broken areas or potholes in asphalt.
• Reports damage (e.g., emergency phones, light outages, vandalism) to the supervisor.
• Maintains transit shelters/stops (e.g., pick up trash, remove posted material, empty trash receptacles, replace light bulbs).
• Maintains bicycle paths (e.g., remove dust and debris, mow perimeter, remove hazardous materials, report excessive plant growth near asphalt).
• Maintains bicycle racks (e.g., repaint as needed, ensure they are properly secured).
• Maintains parking signs (e.g., clean, report damaged/missing/worn signs).
• Removes graffiti from all TAPS properties (e.g., parking lots, pay stations, lot signs, building structures, and bus shelters).
• Maintains natural landscaped areas around parking lots, bike paths, and transit shelters using various equipment (e.g., weed whip, mower, hand pruning, and hand weeding).
• Reports the condition of service areas to the supervisor on an ongoing basis.

20% - Maintenance Lead

• Makes or modifies daily work assignments for maintenance teams.
  Assigns projects to employees and ensures the assignments are completed satisfactorily.
• Hires and schedules student employees.
• Trains new employees on all aspects of their positions.
• Ensures that staff receives appropriate safety training.
• Reviews related policies and procedures with staff on an ongoing basis.
• Manages maintenance supplies and equipment to ensure that work can be accomplished in a timely manner.
• Works with the supervisor to arrange for repair with an outside vendor, when repair or maintenance of equipment is beyond unit capabilities.
• Coordinates vehicle maintenance with Fleet Services.
• Makes major equipment purchase recommendations to the supervisor.

10% - Equipment Maintenance and Repair

• Maintains work areas, power equipment, and hand tools.
  Performs minor servicing, adjustments, and repairs to maintenance equipment (e.g., space line striper, chain saw, blowers, trimmers, mower, weed whip).
• Clean all tools and equipment after use and returns them to proper storage.
• Reports equipment malfunctions to the supervisors.
• Recommends new equipment and materials to the supervisor, as needed.

10% - Special Assignment

• Participates in conducting TAPS-related surveys.
  Provides backup to Event Parking Field Operations by making, posting, or removing temporary cones, barricades, and signage.
• Picks up and delivers supplies and equipment to on and off-campus locations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Experience and skills in grounds and/or lot maintenance at a large institution.
• Experience and/or skills to safely use hand or power tools such as hedge trimmers, weed eaters, mowers, rakes, hoes, etc, with the ability to perform minor repairs, modifications, and adjustments to tools and power equipment.
• Sufficient problem-solving skills with the ability to exercise good judgment and discretion in handling confidential situations or materials.
• Sufficient interpersonal skills to interact effectively with the campus community and the ability to exercise diplomacy in dealing with diverse groups of people.
• Computer skills sufficient to operate and maintain a database, use spreadsheets, and word processing programs.
• Ability to use precision tools to repair equipment.
• Ability to read, write, follow oral and written instructions and demonstrate mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to safely drive a university vehicle.
• Ability to identify/correct hazardous problems and use judgment as to when to report problems or safety hazards.
• Ability to prioritize assignments to meet deadlines, working with changes in workloads, assignments, customer service needs, and interruptions.
• Ability to present a positive, service-oriented public image and maintain a courteous and harmonious working relationship with the campus community, other department staff, and members of the public.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and relay procedural information with clarity and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and follow through on assignments with minimal direction.
• Ability to adhere to time and attendance requirements and punctuality standards.
• Ability to train new employees how to perform the work.
• Ability to perform basic grounds maintenance such as cutting, digging, raking, weeding.
• Ability to supervise student employees.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of the proper use of herbicides, and willingness to use them in the control of pests and plants.
• Familiarity with UCSC campus roads and parking spaces.
• Relevant Certifications (e.g., Pesticide Applicator's License (California-specific) and/or Certification in landscape irrigation management).
  

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 be able to participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
• Interviewees will be required to provide a current DMV record.
• Ability to work long periods of time in wilderness conditions and to travel to remote areas.
• Ability to walk to and work in remote areas with rugged terrain, heavy brush, biting and stinging insects, bears and mountain lions.
• Ability to do occasional work in confined spaces such as attics and trenches while bending, stooping and/or kneeling with the possibility of being exposed to live electrical circuits and machinery.
• Ability to perform grounds keeping duties outdoors through all seasons of weather in developed and undeveloped environments.
• Ability to ascend/descend ladders with or without accommodation.
• Ability to sustain exposure to dusty, noisy environments and inclement weather as necessary to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work overtime including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays to meet operational needs, and work an alternate work schedule shift as required.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Clery Act: This position has been identified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA); required to report crimes, incidents, and disciplinary referral statistics as required by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC * 1092(f)).
• Ability to work safely in areas where hazardous materials are present or stored.
• Ability to wear a respirator in accordance with the California Code of Regulations Title 8, 5144.
• Ability to read signs and follow directions on labels that are written in English as well as ability to read and understand Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and the proper use of chemical compounds.
• 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.

a. "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 Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination