Gardener 1

Under general supervision of grounds supervisor, performs a variety of grounds related functions: litter pick-up, digging, sweeping, washing, scrubbing, vacuuming, loading/unloading, pruning, mowing, trimming, weeding, irrigation and fertilizing. Perform semi-skilled manual type labor and gardening task requiring the use of small power equipment and hand tools.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Waters lawns, shrubs, ground covers by use of appropriate automatic/manual systems (hoses) when necessary.
• Prune/trim large/small trees, shrubs, hedges, ground covers with appropriate tools.
• Plant trees, shrubs, ground covers, annuals, bulbs and sod/seed lawn areas with appropriate hand tools.
• Mow and edge/trim and blow walkways with small power equipment such as mowers, edger’s, weeders, blowers, etc. in assigned area.
• Maintain flower beds (trim and weed free) by mechanical or manual means.
• Pick-up trash and debris in assigned areas.
• Wash down/blow entrances of buildings, sidewalks, directory signs, patios, parking lots, etc.
• Work in a neat and orderly manner; clean-up daily and at the end of the job.
• Moves, carries, loads/unloads equipment, fertilizer, tools, materials, etc. as needed.
• May assist in lining sports fields.
• Notify supervisor of any burrowing pests (gophers, ground, and squirrels) or insects, broken irrigation lines or heads, etc. in assigned areas.

Safety:

• Maintains an awareness of the typical hazards of the work place as well as the special hazards that may be encountered at any University facility location such as biohazards, low grade radiation, and chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
• Consistently follows safety practices appropriate to the trade and complies with rules and regulations established by the University and governmental agencies (local, state, and federal).
• Follows established governmental (local, state and federal) procedures for dealing with hazards and promptly report any on the job accident to Security and to the supervisor in writing.

 Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must not have allergies that could interfere with employee’s ability to work outdoors around plants, dust, fertilizer, insecticides, herbicides and other chemical products.
• Must have a valid California Drivers license and will be required to drive University vehicles.
• May take the University supplied (self-study) enrichment courses and participate in various seminars related to the trade.
• Must be in excellent physical condition.
• Required to wear proper work boots.
• May be required to work overtime as needed.
• Required to wear uniform provided by the University.
• Understands the importance of customer service and has the ability to follow-up as well as communicate to FM supervision and the campus clients.

Effective June 1, 2023, based on CDC guidance, the University strongly encourages all campus members to stay up to date with Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination recommendations.  For more regarding information USD's COVID-19 protocols, please visit sandiego.edu/onward.

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.