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About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

Residential and Student Service Programs (RSSP) is part of the Division of Student Affairs under the direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor of RSSP. RSSP provides student housing, residential programs and dining services for undergraduate and graduate students and their families, as well as childcare services for students, faculty and staff. The Grounds unit maintains all exterior landscape and hardscape at RSSP facilities.

Position Summary

The Lead Gardener performs the daily maintenance of all exterior landscape and hardscape within RSSP. In addition, this position coordinates, designates and schedules the work of the L/G B gardeners in collaboration with Grounds Management. This position keeps the grounds safe, landscapes healthy and hardscapes in good repair. Mows, weeds, trims, prunes and maintains parking lots, parks, streets, courtyards, playgrounds, pathways, trash enclosures, etc. at RSSP residential facilities and child care sites.

Two lead positions with assignments generally at either UVA or Central Grounds Units and may be required to work at both on occasion.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: September 22, 2025

Responsibilities

Landscape Maintenance

• Maintain lawns, plants, shrubs, trees, hedges, ground covers, vines, and bare surface areas on the grounds of Housing department and Child care facilities.
• Perform weeding, cultivation, mulching, leaf and debris pick up.
• Mow lawns and fields, string trim, edge around hardscapes; trim and prune shrubs, hedges and trees; dethatch, rake overseed, topdress, aerate and fertilize lawns.
• Apply pesticides as scheduled.
• Water various ground areas by manual or portable sprinklers, with hoses or by operating in ground irrigation systems; perform minor irrigation repairs.

Lead Gardener Duties

• Works with supervisor to coordinate, designate and schedule the daily and weekly work of the Laborer/Gardener B, Groundskeepers and student Groundskeeper staff.
• Provides leadership, directs, and trains Grounds staff to properly fulfill assignments.
• Instructs staff in the safe use of equipment and materials.
• Follows policies, rules, and regulations of the University and the department.
• Ensures that health and safety guidelines are practiced.
• Performs the inventory, storing and distribution of grounds supplies and equipment.
• Receives supplies and equipment and verifies usage and minimizes waste.
• Acts as liaison/representative of Grounds Crew.
• Communicates concerns to Unit Safety Committee Representatives.
• Represents unit at safety committee.
• Participates in interviewing of new staff in the grounds department.
• Monitors performance of Gardeners to identify training needs and works with the Grounds Supervisor to provide the needed training for Gardeners.
• Communicates concerns and recommends solutions to management (e.g. staffing, equipment, plant replacement or selection, pest problems, scheduling, etc.).
• Maintains grounds equipment in safe working order and reports necessary repairs.

Customer Service Expectations and Miscellaneous

• Communicate and work effectively with staff, customers, community, and youth groups; provide excellent customer service.
• Lead/or assist community, recreation and youth groups in grounds related events such as: Garden Festival, Clean Up days, camps and other community events.
• Responds to customer complaints effectively and reports unresolved problems to supervisor.
• Follow proper purchasing and inventory procedures established by unit and department.
• Assist in training casual and student staff.
• Keep daily time log.
• Return completed work tag documentation in timely manner.

General Grounds and Hardscape Maintenance

• Clean outdoor areas; pick up and remove litter and debris; empty trash containers, clean and replace as directed; remove and dispose of abandoned furniture, refrigerators and appliances left on grounds.
• Maintain walks, paths and signage, remove posters and flyers from non-designated areas.
• Abate fire hazards where necessary around creeks, buildings and parks.
• Maintain and complete light repairs on roads, and walkways.
• Install traffic signs and wheel stops, set up barricades for events, minor street and parking lot painting.
• Clean, maintain and organize tools, trucks, shops and equipment.
• Operate trucks, electric and gas carts, riding and power mowers, power edgers, pneumatic tools and a variety of other grounds equipment and tools; service and make minor repairs and adjustments.
• Inspect repair and replace playground equipment.
• Load and unload trucks and other vehicles; grounds equipment and supplies, tear down and remove various structures; dig and/or fill ditches, trenches and other excavations after minor repairs of walks, roads and walls.
• Clean storm drains, catch basins and culverts; cut and remove weeds and debris from roadsides, creek banks and ditches and channels; remove mud and silt from culverts and drainage channels.
• Perform basic light search and rescue, implement evacuation procedures, sandbag when necessary.
• Load, secure and transport equipment such as tractors, stump grinders and rental equipment.

Beat Policing/Inspection

• Pick up and remove litter and debris, inspect and observe condition of assigned areas, report problems regarding general safety, vandalism, irrigation conditions, tree hazards, plant health, pest populations, graffiti, pavement and site furniture hazards.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in providing general landscape maintenance and the operation of common grounds maintenance tools, trucks and equipment.
• Essential plant identification and horticulture knowledge; basic turf maintenance knowledge; basic irrigation systems knowledge; Integrated Pest Management and safe use of pesticides knowledge; common safety procedures including safe lifting techniques.
• Ability to speak, understand and legibly write English to communicate with work community and to record measurements, complete simple forms and maintenance records.
• Read and understand materials such as job instructions, equipment and safety manuals.
• Follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to interact courteously and effectively with the public, coworkers and supervisors.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers and fractions to calculate square footage and amounts of seed, fertilizer and pesticide to apply.
• Appropriately select and safely use hand power tools and equipment.
• Maintain vehicles, tools and equipment including basic troubleshooting to identify and correct minor mechanical and electrical malfunctions.
• Perform routine assembly and repair of playground equipment.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, twist, reach, stand and walk for extended periods on even, uneven and sloping surfaces.
• Ability to independently lift up to 50 lbs. and up to 100 lbs. with assistance.
• Ability to work outdoors in extreme and/or fluctuating weather conditions.
• Must be available to respond to emergencies and work occasional overtime on weekends/holidays.
• Adhere to RSSP work rules and Respect and Civility Statement.
• Employee is personally responsible for following health and safety guidelines/instructions.
• Ability to organize work crews and direct staff to effective job completion.
• Ability to communicate and coordinate effectively between staff and Grounds supervisor.
• Ability to assess and respond to emergency situations effectively in accordance with UC procedures.

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