Salary: $5,377.52 - $5,928.74 Monthly
Location : Pasadena, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 07377
Department: Business & Administrative Services
Division: Facilities & Construction Services
Opening Date: 01/17/2025
Closing Date: 3/3/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Probationary Period: Six months
Work Shift: Mon - Fri 6:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Salary Schedule/Range: CSEA-45
Under the general supervision of the Grounds Supervisor, the Lead Gardener is responsible for assisting in the implementation of the Grounds Maintenance Program; provides direction to Gardeners, Irrigation Specialists and Power Sweepers and coordinating gardening and landscaping activities within the Facilities & Construction Services Department to ensure proper maintenance and care of campus grounds.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:- Assists the Grounds Supervisor by coordinating the work of and providing direction to assigned Grounds staff; the Lead also participates in job duties assigned to Grounds staff as needed.
- Regularly walks campus grounds and reviews area assignments with Grounds staff to observe current conditions (both aesthetically and safety related) and make suggestions for more efficient or safe work procedures and techniques.
- Assists the Grounds Supervisor in reviewing current plant and tree health, while making recommendations to introduce and maintain appropriate (drought tolerant or California native) species; prepare material lists and job records to ensure proper documentation of landscaping projects.
- Install, service, and operate irrigation systems to ensure optimal water usage and plant health
- Provide direction for implementing the fertilization and herbicide/pesticide program.
- In the absence of the Supervisor, the Lead may schedule gardening work in connection with college activities held on lawns and athletic fields during the week, at night, or on weekends.
- Provide supplemental training in the field to gardening staff regarding best practices, safety procedures, and equipment use.
- Oversee and participate in the work of cleaning and servicing gardening equipment daily, including hosing down decks, steps, and other concrete surfaces, and operating pressure washers.
- Care for athletic fields, running tracks, jumping pits, and runways, ensuring they meet seasonal sport demands and are properly lined for events.
- Operate power gardening equipment such as mowers, edgers, trimmers, blowers, chain saws, sprayers, tractors, and cultivators, and perform minor maintenance of this equipment.
- Apply fertilizers and insecticides according to safety requirements and agriculture department regulations.
- Maintain plant health and growth by ensuring proper preparation of soil, including application of amendments in accordance with best gardening practices appropriate for applicable Agriculture Zone.
- Oversee the maintenance and monitoring of swimming pools and water features.
- Set up chain-link or other fencing types for plant protection and barricades for crowd control as needed for campus events and projects.
- May perform other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:- Graduation from high school or its equivalent.
- A California Applicators License - QAL (Qualified Applicator's License).
- Aquatic Facility Operator License
- AND one of the following:
- Four years of experience in groundskeeping and gardening.
- A certificate or degree in Landscape Maintenance or a related field, plus two years of experience in groundskeeping and gardening.
PLEASE NOTE: If an incumbent does not possess the California Applicators License and the Aquatic Facility Operator License, the incumbent must obtain both licenses within twelve (12) months of hire date.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES- Extensive knowledge of common and native plant species, soil types, fertilizers, and pest control methods.
- Skills in designing and planning aesthetically pleasing and functional landscapes utilizing native and drought tolerant plant species and effective irrigation techniques to optimize water conservation.
- Ability to effectively lead, motivate, and develop a team of gardeners.
- Strong project management skills, including planning, execution, and evaluation.
- Knowledge of maintenance techniques and best practices for gardens and landscaped areas.
- Ability to identify issues and develop effective solutions, particularly in plant health and garden maintenance.
- Knowledge of safety procedures and regulations related to gardening and landscaping activities.
- Proficiency in using gardening tools and equipment, as well as basic computer skills for reporting and inventory management.
CORE COMPETENCIES - The District has identified the following essential skills and attributes needed for success in this position.
- Leadership and Supervision
- Landscaping and Gardening Expertise
- Project Planning and Execution
- Maintenance and Care
- Safety and Compliance
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Resource Management
- Problem Solving and Decision Making
SALARY RANGECSEA-45
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESSPasadena City College (PCC) utilizes an online application process. Hard copy, e-mailed, or faxed resumes are not accepted. Job postings will not be reopened due to failure to submit an application before the closing date
for any reason. You can apply for a position from any computer with Internet access. Please keep in mind the following:
- If you do not follow the process or your application/resume is incomplete, your information will not be processed.
- If you need to update any submitted information, you will need to reapply in full. When HR sees duplicate applications, we archive the oldest and the most recent application and materials are considered.
- The selection advisory committee will review, evaluate, and consider applications and supporting materials received by the deadline. Meeting the minimum qualifications for a particular position does not assure the applicant an interview.
- While the acceptance of the application packet is done through PCC's Applicant Tracking System (ATS), all hiring decisions are made by a hiring committee.
- Once applications are submitted, they are final. Please carefully review your application and the documents which you are attaching to make sure that they are free from errors and complete. If you require assistance with your application, please refer to the application guide or you may contact NeoEd Customer Support at 855-524-5627. Customer Support is available Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. (PST).
All materials listed below may be required for your application packet to be considered complete:
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter
After a review of applications received, the District may require the completion and submission of supplemental documents prior to the interview process.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - Successful applicants must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
- Successful completion of background check including Live Scan and Tuberculosis (TB) assessment/screening.
- Pasadena Area Community College District will not sponsor any visa applications.
- Applicants must be available for interviews at Pasadena City College at no cost to the District.
- Applicants who have disabilities may request that accommodations be made in order to complete the selection process by contacting the Office of Human Resources directly at (626) 585-7388.
- The Pasadena Area Community College District does not discriminate in the educational programs and activities operated by the District or in employment procedures and practices of the District. The Policies of Title IX as developed to date are available for inspection during normal business hours at the District office at 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91106.
- Crime awareness and campus security information are available from Campus Police. (Public Law 101-542).
- The Pasadena Area Community College District is an equal opportunity employer. The District encourages applications from underrepresented minorities and the disabled.
- An applicant, who attempts to contact individual Board members or members of the screening committee with the intent of influencing the decision of the committee or the Board, will be disqualified. General inquiries regarding the position and/or District employment should be directed to the Office of Human Resources.
PASADENA AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
Equal Opportunity, Title IX, Section 504 EmployerAt Pasadena City College, we value your contributions to our success and want to provide you with a benefit package that protects your health and helps your financial security now and in the future. Pasadena City College provides Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life, Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment and Long Term Disability insurance at no cost to the employee or eligible dependents.
MEDICAL: Employer-paid premium. Employee has the option of electing between PPO plans and HMO plans.
DENTAL: Employer-paid premium. Employee has the option of electing between a PPO plan and HMO plan.
VISION: Employer-paid premium. Vision benefit is contingent upon employees medical plan selection.
BASIC EMPLOYEE LIFE INSURANCE: Employer-paid premium for a $50,000 life insurance policy. If employee is over 70 the life insurance policy is reduced to $25,000.
BASIC SPOUSE/REGISTERED DOMESTIC PARTNER LIFE INSURANCE: Employer-paid premium for a $1,500 policy. Benefit terminates when the employee reaches 70.
BASIC DEPENDENT LIFE INSURANCE: Employer-paid premium for a $1,500 policy.
BASIC ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT: Employer-paid premium for a $1,500 policy.
LONG-TERM DISABILITY (LTD): Employer-paid benefit pays 66.67% of your monthly salary (up to $3,000) monthly starting 140 days after you are out of work and continuing up to age 65 if the disability occurs at age 59 or before 5 years if the disability occurs at age 60 to 64 up to age 70 if the disability occurs at age 65 to 69 1 year if the disability occurs at age 70 or after.
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: Pasadena City College has two retirement formulas through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). The employer contribution rate is 26.68%.
• (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 55): If you became a member prior to January 1, 2013, but you permanently separate from employment and return to membership after a break in service of more than six months, you are subject to the retirement formula in place on January 1, 2013, for any service credit earned after that date. This does not apply if you return to the same employer. The same employer does not necessarily mean the employer you last worked. As of July 1, 2020, the employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
• (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to employees who work directly for the Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. As of July 1, 2022, the employee contribution is 8.00% and subject to change annually.
A new member is defined as any of the following:
1. A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.
2. A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member with another California Public Retirement System prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.
3. A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS agency after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.
CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".
Contribution rates are subject to change based on the Los Angele County Office of Education annual actuarial valuation.
Note: This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to pccbenefits@pasadena.edu or by calling the Benefits Office at (626) 585-7503,
If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
COMPUTER LOAN PROGRAM: The College provides an interest-free loan to employees for the purchase of computer hardware or software. The maximum amount of the loan is $4,000. Eligible employees must have been employed by the College for one year and must be eligible to receive health and welfare benefits.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS: Two employee assistance programs that are free and available 24/7. Both programs are a counseling referral and provide confidential counseling help regarding marital discord, family problems, job-related stress, travel, funeral planning.
HOLIDAYS: 18 paid holidays per fiscal year + 1 floating holiday (if hired by September 9th of each fiscal year)
VACATION: Full Time Employees who are in paid status for eleven (11) or more days in each relevant calendar month, shall earn vacation as follows:
One (1) through three (3) years of continuous service: one day per month.
Annual Vacation Rate: 12 days
Four (4) through six (6) years of continuous service: one and one-quarter days per month.
Annual Vacation Rate: 15 days
Seven (7) through ten (10) years of continuous service: one and one-half days per month.
Annual Vacation Rate: 18 days
Eleven (11) or more years of continuous service: one and three-quarter days per month.
Annual Vacation Rate: 21 days
SICK LEAVE: employees shall accrue paid sick leave at the rate of one (1) day (eight hours) per calendar month, not to exceed the total number of months of the employee's assignment. Employees who work less than a full fiscal year shall earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis. A new employee may be advanced a maximum of six (6) days, or proportionate amount to which he/she is entitled, for use prior to the completion of six (6) months of active service at the discretion of the Vice President of Human Resources.
Unused sick leave shall accrue from year to year. Employees who previously worked for another community college district or county school, shall be entitled to transfer accrued leave from that district.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Any employee is allowed a leave of absence for bereavement leave, not to exceed three (3) consecutive working days, or five (5) consecutive working days if the employee attends a funeral more than 250 miles from the College, on full pay when such absence is occasioned by reason of death in the immediate family (employee's spouse, child, stepchild, parent, sibling, father-in-law, mother-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or any relative living in the immediate household of the employee). The District may require the employee to provide proof of eligibility for bereavement leave. Bereavement leave is not applicable when an employee is on unpaid leave of absence or during unscheduled work days for employees on less than twelve (12) month assignments. Bereavement leave is allowable if bereavement immediately precedes or immediately follows such absence. Up to one day's time off with pay will be granted for bereavement leave for the death of relatives not listed above or living in the immediate household. Up to one-half day with pay will be granted for bereavement leave for the death of a friend. This leave shall be limited to one time per fiscal year.
INDIVIDUAL POLICIES: Additional Insurance policies are available such as short-term disability, hospital confinement indemnity, sickness indemnity, cancer, accident, and lump sum critical illness.
IRC Section 125: A cafeteria plan available to all employees that allow pre-tax money to pay for qualified medical and dental expenses and child care.
TAX-SHELTERED ACCOUNT: Employees (along with their immediate family members) are eligible to become members. 457(b) deferred compensation plans available, 403 (b) TSA plans, and Roth 403(b) plans.
VOLUNTARY PET INSURANCES: Employee has the option in signing up for a PPO plan or HMO plan
VOLUNTARY LIFE INSURANCE: Plan is available for employee to purchase.
VOLUNTARY ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT: Plan is available for employee to purchase.
OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the contract. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.
01
All applicants are required to submit responses to the following supplemental questions. Your responses will provide information about your background and experience related to this position and will be used in the screening and selection process.Be concise yet specific and informative in your responses to these supplemental questions. "See resume," attachments or links will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses to the questions in the following boxes. Incomplete responses will not be considered. Please indicate below that you have read and understand these instructions.
02
Did you graduate from high school or have you earned your General Equivalency Diploma (GED)?
03
Please checkmark one of the following that applies to you:
- Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate degree in Landscape Maintenance or related field
- Certificate in Landscape Maintenance or related field
- Does not possess a degree or certificate in Landscape Maintenance or related field
04
Indicate the years of experience in groundskeeping and gardening.
- Less than 1
- 1 Year
- 2 Years
- 3 Years
- 4 Years
- 5 Years
- 6 Years
- 7 Years
05
Indicate where you have worked to obtain experience groundskeeping and gardening. This section is required, see resume will not be accepted.1. What was the time frame 2. What was the employer's name3. Describe the work you performed.
06
Do you have a California Applicators License - QAL (Qualified Applicator's License)?
- Yes
- No
- No, but billing to obtain within 12 months of hire
07
Do you have a Aquatic Facility Operator License?
- Yes
- No
- No, but willing to obtain within 12 months of hire
08
if applicable, please describe your experience designing and planning functional landscapes utilizing native and drought tolerant plant species and effective irrigation techniques to optimize water conservation (type N/A if not applicable).
09
Please describe any workplace leadership experience you have in a groundskeeping area. Please include the following:1. Employer name2. Dates employed 3. Number of employees you lead4. Leadership duties responsible for
Required Question
