Gardener

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Gardener

Salary

$4,020.44 - $4,351.54 Monthly

Location

Chula Vista Campus - Chula Vista, CA

Job Type

Classified Staff

Job Number

00099

Division

Business and Financial Affairs

Department

Grounds

Opening Date

02/25/2025

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Funding Type

District/Auxiliary

Hiring Salary Range

$4,020.44-$4,351.54

Full-time Equivalent (FTE)

1.0

Initial Screening Deadline

03/16/2025

Work Schedule (Approx.)

Wednesday-Sunday: 6:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Months of Service

12

Start Date

As soon as the successful candidate is identified and following the subsequent governing board approval.

Southwestern Community College District (SWCCD) is committed to meeting the educational goals of its students in an inclusive environment that promotes intellectual growth and develops human potential. We are the leader in equitable education that transforms the lives of students and communities.

SWCCD employees are collegial and collaborative. They demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism, integrity and respect when interacting with students, colleagues, leadership and members of the Jaguar community. Our employees actively honor and respect diversity to foster a safe and welcoming community where all are inspired to participate and realize a sense of belonging.

Incumbents exhibit an equity-minded focus, responsiveness, and sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, and employees, including those with physical or learning disabilities, and successfully foster and support an inclusive educational and employment environment.

Description

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor, perform routine grounds maintenance duties on District grounds including landscaped areas and athletic fields; operate a variety of light and heavy power and grounds equipment to perform grounds maintenance work; assist other grounds maintenance staff with projects.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination equivalent to: sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed above. 
AND 
One (1) year general groundskeeping experience.

  • One year of experience is equal to 12 months of experience at 40 hours per week. Applicable part-time experience will be converted to the full-time equivalent for purposes of meeting the experience requirement.
  • If specifically referenced (i.e. degree 'or equivalent'), related experience that is above the minimum requirement may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
  • Additional assessment is required for applicants with foreign degrees from colleges or universities outside of the United States. Applicants must have their coursework evaluated by a professional association that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and must submit a copy of the evaluation with the application.


PREFERRED LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE
Valid California driver's license and a safe driving record.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

  • Methods, tools, materials, equipment and practices utilized in grounds maintenance work.
  • Methods, materials, tools and light and heavy power equipment used in grounds maintenance work and other trades.
  • Plant materials and culture thereof.
  • Mowing, edging , hoeing and other basic  grounds maintenance procedures.
  • Operation, maintenance and repair of grounds maintenance and other light and heavy equipment and tools.

Ability to:
  • Learn methods , procedures, equipment and materials used in groundskeeping.
  • Operate a variety of light and heavy grounds maintenance and power equipment including power mowers, trucks, sweepers, saws and other tools.
  • Participate in maintenance of all grounds areas.
  • Operate and maintain hand and basic power equipment including mowers, edgers, trimmers, vacuums, rototillers, renovators, and other grounds maintenance equipment.
  • Maintain, service and repair grounds maintenance equipment. 
  • Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
  • Use assigned methods for control and eradication of plant pests and weeds. 
  • Understand and follow oral and written directions.
JOB DESCRIPTION: Gardener


Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

  1. Perform routine grounds maintenance duties on District grounds including landscaped areas and athletic fields; mow and maintain lawns and fields; trim and prune shrubs, hedges and trees. 
  2. Operate large gang reel mowers and other motorized equipment in the maintenance of District landscaped areas.
  3. Operate and maintain a variety of hand and power equipment including power mowers, chippers, turf vacuums, aerators, weed eaters, edgers, trimmers , rototillers, renovators , sod cutters and other grounds maintenance equipment. 
  4. Water lawns , plants and fields, hoe weeds and rake lawns; transplant and pot plants and maintain nursery stock. 
  5. Perform general grounds maintenance duties in picking up paper and trash in grounds areas; clean and remove weeds from sidewalks, parking lots and roads. 
  6. Operate trucks and other equipment to load, unload and transport materials.
  7. Service, adjust and repair assigned equipment; perform preventive maintenance as necessary; maintain equipment in clean and proper working condition. 
  8. Assist in landscaping and construction and sprinkler installation and maintenance ; form sidewalks, slabs and pour and finish concrete; perform repair work on parking lots and roads as directed.

Supplemental Information

SALARY SCHEDULE: CSEA - Classified Bargaining Unit


PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

This is a non-telecommuting position.

Environment:
Outdoor environment.
Driving a vehicle to conduct work.


Physical Abilities:
Heavy physical labor.
Bending at the waist.
Walking over rough or uneven surfaces.
Pushing, pulling, carrying and lifting heavy grounds maintenance equipment. Standing and walking for extended periods of time.
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate specialized gardening hand and power tools and grounds equipment.

Hazards:
Pesticide and herbicide chemicals.
Fumes and noise from vehicle and equipment operation. Exposure to dust, dirt, oil/grease, gases and pollen.
Working with or around machinery with moving parts. Extreme weather conditions.



TENTATIVE TIMELINE: Any application received after the initial screening deadline is not guaranteed a review.

February 27-March 16, 2025

Position advertised; District receives applications

March 16, 2025

Initial screening deadline for guaranteed consideration.

March 24-28, 2025

Reviewing of applications.

March 31-April 6, 2025

District closed for spring break.

April 14-18, 2025

Search Committee interviews candidates

May, 2025

Tentative employment start date pending Governing Board approval.



Application Process:

A confirmation email will be sent once your application packet has been successfully submitted.

It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all required application materials are submitted by the initial screening deadline date, including a current resume, and unofficial transcripts showing awarded degree(s) and completion date, as well as any relevant certifications, diplomas, or licenses that demonstrate you meet the minimum qualifications of the position. Failure to submit supporting documentations may result in an incomplete application.

A separate, complete application packet is required for each position for which you are applying for. All materials included in your application packet become SWCCD property, will not be returned, will not be copied, and will be considered for this opening only.

A screening committee will evaluate applicants, taking into account the breadth and depth of relevant education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, and abilities. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview.

 

INTERVIEW TRAVEL COSTS MUST BE BORNE BY THE APPLICANT.

 

If additional positions become available in this classification, applications received in response to this posting may be considered for those additional positions for up to 90 days after final board approval.

Candidates selected for employment with SWCCD must be fingerprinted by an electronic fingerprinting service (i.e. LiveScan) within 10 days of employment; provide clearance of tuberculosis (dated within the past 4 years and renewed every four years as a condition of continued employment) within 60 days of employment; provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

Successful candidate selected may be assigned to any of the campus sites (Chula Vista, Crown Cove, National City, Otay Mesa, and/or San Ysidro).

 

American with Disabilities (ADA):

Reasonable accommodations will be provided to candidates with verified disabilities. Accommodation requests should be made as soon as practical by calling Human Resources at (619) 482-6395.


Equal Employment Opportunity:

As an Equal Opportunity Employer and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, SWCCD will make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

SWCCD shall not discriminate against any person in employment or in any program affiliated with the SWCCD on the basis of age, ancestry, color, ethnic group identification, national origin, religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or on the basis of these perceived characteristics, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.


Notice of Availability of the Annual Security Report:

SWCCD is committed to assisting all members of the community in providing for their own safety and security. The Annual Security Report is available on the SWCPD website.

If you would like to receive a hard copy of the Annual Security Report, which contains this information, you can stop by the College Police Department or you can request that a copy be mailed to you by calling (619) 482-6390.


Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Plan (DAAPP):

More information about the DAAPP, including the Biennial report and additional resources can be found in the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program website.

Southwestern Community College District provides an excellent benefits package for employees and eligible dependents that includes affordable medical plans, employer paid dental and life insurance, CalPERS and CalSTRS retirement options, vacation and sick leave accruals, and professional development opportunities.

For more information, please visit the Benefits webpage.

01
Do you have sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed on the job posting?
  • Yes, I have sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed on the job posting.
  • No, I do not have sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed on the job posting.
02
Do you have at least one (1) year of general groundskeeping experience?
  • Yes, I have at least one year of general groundskeeping experience.
  • No, I do not have at least one year of general groundskeeping experience.
03
Do you possess a valid California driver’s license and a safe driving record?
  • Yes, I possess a valid California driver's license and a safe driving record.
  • No, I don't have a valid California Driver's License and/or do not have a safe driving record.
04
If you do not have sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed on the job posting, do you have the equivalent work experience?
  • Yes, I have equivalent work experience to substitute sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed on the job posting.
  • No, I do possess the required sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed on the job posting.
05
Do you have the ability to pass a pre-employment physical examination if selected for the position?
  • Yes, I have the ability to pass a pre-employment physical examination.
  • No, I do not have the ability to pass a pre-employment physical examination.

Required Question

Employer
Southwestern College (CA)
Address
Human Resources
900 Otay Lakes Rd, Room 46B-150
Chula Vista, California, 91910
Phone
(619) 482-6395