Grounds Maintenance Technician - Solano Community College

Under the direction of the Grounds Supervisor, perform general grounds maintenance and gardening duties to ensure well maintained District grounds areas and athletic fields; perform related duties as assigned.

Board approved: 6/5/02

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Plant, transplant, prune, verti-cut, top dress, de-thatch, seed, re-seed/re-sod, hedge, weed, rake, mow, aerate, fertilize, and water to maintain all landscaping to include trees, plants, shrubs, etc.; clean, pick-up and remove all trash, branches and other debris from walkways, culverts, stairways, roadways, planters, etc. from landscaping, drains, culverts, etc.; design and redesign new and existing landscaping. Inspect grounds for hazardous conditions and initiate corrective action.

• Diagnose various plants and turf infestations and diseases, taking the safest and most effective course of action to mitigate or eliminate the problem. Insure safe removal of large trees to include stump grinding and/or removal; control and dispose of rodent, non-venomous reptile, fowl and mammals.

• Design, re-design, layout new and existing irrigation systems; drain, flush, clear and repair water storage systems; calibrate, set and re-set irrigation control systems; install and maintain irrigation clocks.

• Mix, spray and apply appropriate pesticides to plants, shrubs, lawns and trees; set calibration on tank sprayers, drop spreaders, wheel driven spreaders and boom rigs; post and remove postings where pesticides are applied; and dispose of product containers per product instructions and applicable environmental laws, regulations and District policies and procedures; maintain records of pesticide application and usage and other records as required.

• Clean-up hazardous materials on roadways and/or parking lots; distribute and maintain refuse containers in District parking lot areas and outside classrooms for facility use.

• Use transit equipment to grade and place athletic markers and boundaries for athletic events; renovate athletic fields for game preparation and conditioning; prepare and renovate in the off-season; coordinate activities with athletic faculty to insure NCAA rules and regulations are followed; and control access to entrance gate during athletic events at football stadium.

• In the course of work operate utility equipment such as, backhoe, boom truck, tractor with rolling stock, box scraper, lawn sweeper, edger, trencher, auger, tiller, mower and other equipment used to maintain grounds. Operate underground utility locator equipment to locate underground problems with valves, pipes and irrigation system. Set-up traffic control cones and barricades in the performance of work when necessary. Ensure safety of staff and students while operating equipment and performing duties.

• Perform metal work, including grinding and cutting for modification and fabrication of groundskeeping equipment; perform operational checks and preventative maintenance on groundskeeping equipment including belts, lubrication, fluids, hoses, spark plugs, spark plug wires, oil, fuel, air filters, gaskets, and tires; diagnose repairs; and log oil usage.

• Maintain inventories and order supplies as needed, such as irrigation parts, pesticides, athletic paint, landscape plants, rock and soil amendments. Record and maintain supply purchases.

• Prepare, repair, and install fencing, paving materials for pathways and road repair, concrete and/or rock retaining walls and slab, wood, rock or concrete boarders.

• Transport district records; dispose of documents as appropriate.

• Move and assemble office furnishings as assigned.

• Set-up and tear down tables, chairs and other equipment for meetings or special events as assigned; assist on other special projects as assigned.

• Assist maintenance staff on maintenance projects or assignments as required; may perform general custodial duties, seasonally or incidental to grounds maintenance activities.

Secondary Functions:

• Perform related duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Any combination equivalent to: sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed below including one year of responsible grounds maintenance experience.

Demonstrate knowledge of:

• Irrigation system design and irrigation control systems and equipment.

• Methods, procedures, supplies and tools used in planting, cultivating and caring for flowers, trees, shrubs and lawns.

• Operation, use and care of hand and power grounds maintenance tools.

• Operation of large landscaping equipment techniques of roadway and sidewalk repair and upkeep.

• Methods of preparation of athletic fields.

• Techniques for safe handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials.

• Common plant and turf diseases, insect pests and approved methods/materials for control and eradication.

• Blueprint reading, knowledge and use.

• Record-keeping methods.

• Maintain knowledge of safe application techniques by attending pesticide applicators tracing seminar, as authorized and documenting training as required.

• Operate, maintain and perform preventative maintenance on a variety of grounds maintenance power equipment.

• Ensure safety of staff and students while operating equipment and performing duties.

• Install, repair, replace and clean irrigation systems.

• Mix and apply herbicides and pesticides to shrubs, lawns and trees.

• Maintain equipment, tools and equipment in a safe, clean and orderly condition.

• Train and provide work direction to student or temporary workers as assigned.

• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with others.

• Demonstrate a sensitivity to relate to persons with diverse socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, including the disabled.

• Observe health and safety rules and regulations.

• Follow oral and written directions.

• Read, and write sufficiently to perform the duties of the position.

• Function as a member of a team.

• Meet schedules and timelines.

• Calibrate various pieces of equipment.

Language Skills:

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, labels, application regulations and procedures.

• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

• Ability to present simple and routine information in one-on-one situations to students, staff or the public.

Mathematical Skills:

• Ability to add, subtract, multiple and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.

• Ability to perform these operations using units of weight and volume measurement to mix chemicals.

• Ability to calculate area and distance.

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to diagnose and correct malfunctions.

• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Certificates, Licenses, Registration:

• Valid California driver's license.

• Must possess or obtain a Certified Commercial Applicator License/Ornamental and Turf issued by the State of California Department of Food and Agriculture within one year of employment and update as appropriate.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties outlined in this classification, employees in this classification are regularly required to stand and sit for long periods of time; walk at a normal pace for extended periods of time; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb ladders to heights of 10 feet or more; bend, stoop, kneel, or crouch; speak clearly enough to discuss work with co-workers or supervisor; and hear and understand voices to receive directions; maneuver around high, narrow or crowded spaces.

• Employees assigned to this classification must regularly lift, carry and/or move objects weighing up to 75 pounds and frequently lift, carry and/or move objects weighing up to 110 pounds.

• Specific vision abilities required for positions in this classification include close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less); and the ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

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

• The work assigned to this classification is typically performed in an outdoor environment. While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is regularly exposed to fumes from and skin contact with toxic or caustic chemicals, effects of the sun, adverse weather conditions, pollen and dust or other airborne particles. The work environment is noisy.