Groundsworker

CSU Careers • Turlock, CA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Full-time position available on or after July 6, 2026 for Landscape & Laborer Services. This position’s responsibilities are carried out under general supervision, and in accordance with schedules or periodic instructions, the Groundsworker performs general gardening work and maintains the grounds in an assigned area of a campus. The Groundsworker performs a combination of unskilled and semiskilled work, which encompasses the maintenance of landscaped areas, parking lots, athletic fields, and surrounding facilities to provide a safe and aesthetically pleasant environment for the campus community. The incumbent shall participate in the preparation and lining of all assigned sport fields to include, proper mowing of turf to the desired height of the sport to be played, but most importantly by the grass cultivar.

Requirements

• One year of experience in the care and maintenance of landscaped areas or in general grounds maintenance work, or in related manual labor.
• Ability to perform strenuous physical work.
• Ability to utilize mechanical aptitude and motor coordination.
• Ability to learn to operate skillfully small trucks and power-driven grounds equipment.
• Ability to read and write at a level appropriate to the position.
• Ability to follow simple oral and written instructions.
• May required possession of a valid California driver’s license.
• Satisfactory completion of a background check (which may include: fingerprinting, checks of employment records, education records, criminal records, civil records, motor vehicle records, professional licenses, and sex offender registries, as position requires) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can begin employment with the CSU.
• The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised 7/21/17, as a condition of employment.
• Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended.
• Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
• CSU hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States.
• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
• The CSU prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California.

Nice To Haves

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Three years of experience working in commercial landscape maintenance, and installation large turf areas such as golf courses, parks or school grounds.
• Experience maintaining athletic fields and sports turf, including field preparation, lining, and turf care practices specific to organized sports use.
• Experience performing irrigation system maintenance and basic repairs, including identifying leaks, adjusting heads, and supporting efficient water usage in landscaped areas.
• Experience working in a large-scale landscape maintenance operation (e.g., campus, parks, or commercial properties), supporting multiple site areas with varied landscape and hardscape needs.
• Thorough knowledge of general gardening and grounds maintenance method.
• General knowledge of proper methods of planting, cultivating, and caring for hedges, ornamental trees, shrubs, lawns, and flowers as well as the use and care of gardening materials, tools, and equipment.
• Ability to recognize the more common species of ornamental shrubs, trees and flowers grown in California.

Responsibilities

• Clean and maintain outdoor areas such as walkways, sidewalks, parking lots, and building access points.
• Collect and dispose of trash and debris from assigned areas.
• Assist with basic irrigation tasks such as adjusting sprinklers and replacing minor components.
• Support general grounds operations and assist skilled staff with specialized tasks as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of campus grounds maintenance.
• Perform general grounds maintenance including mowing, edging, trimming, watering, and fertilizing lawns and landscaped areas.
• Plant, cultivate, and care for lawns, trees, shrubs, and flowers.
• Prepare soil and assist with seeding and sod installation.
• Trim and prune trees, shrubs, and hedges to maintain appearance and safe clearance.
• Remove weeds, rake leaves, and clear debris from landscaped areas.
• Assist with routine maintenance of athletic fields, including preparation for campus activities.
• Operate small power equipment such as mowers, blowers, trimmers, and similar tools.
• Perform routine inspection and basic upkeep of tools and equipment.
• Clean, store, and maintain equipment and supplies in good working condition.
• Report equipment issues and ensure equipment is serviced as scheduled.
• May be required to obtain additional training and/or certification as part of professional development, based on department and/or campus needs, to stay current with industry standards.
• At the direction of appropriate administrator, may provide support to other areas as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• outstanding vacation
• health
• dental
• vision plans
• a fee waiver education program
• membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• 15 paid holidays a year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed