Grounds Equipment Operator

  • Cal State University (CSU) San Jose
  • San Jose, California
  • Jul 02, 2024
Construction and Skilled Trades Grounds and Landscaping Services Public Works

Job Description

Job Summary

Reporting to the Grounds, Landscape & Recycling Manager while under lead work direction provided by the Lead Groundsworker, the Equipment Operator is a member of a team responsible for maintaining landscape and grounds areas of the campus as well as supporting other department units in need of equipment operator services. This position is typically assigned the main campus and is focused on the proper maintenance of all natural/artificial turf and hardscape pavement areas, including repairs and assisting with minor excavation, backfilling, loading, and transporting materials in support of other maintenance and repair activities utilizing powered equipment or manual labor. The Equipment Operator performs these duties using skilled driving of specialty grounds and maintenance equipment including riding and powered mowers, pavement sweepers, backhoes, cultivators, sweepers, rakes, trench diggers, loaders, rollers, and forklifts.

Key Responsibilities
  • Skilled driving and operation of equipment and vehicles including but not limited to those classified as ½ ton to 4 ton with up to a five speed transmission and which can be described as ride on mowers and other powered equipment common to turf or field maintenance; small wheel type tractors including those with special purpose attachments such as backhoes, mowers, buckets, blades, cultivators, rakes, aerators, dethatchers, sweepers, infill decompaction/replenishers, groomers, topdressers; trench diggers; loaders (1/4 or one cubic yard or less bucket capacity); small rollers; personnel lifts, and forklifts typically under a three ton capacity
  • Monitors and cultivates turf areas and lawn by providing water, light, and soil nutrients
  • Cleans, services and makes minor repairs to the equipment operated
  • Collects trash and recycling and disposes of properly while also maintaining trash/recycling bins and area in a neat and clean manner
  • Uses hand tools common to the gardening and grounds maintenance field
  • Maintains clean work areas, tools, equipment and associated structures
  • Unlocks and secures facility areas to access equipment. Maintains security of all assigned equipment and keys. Reports issues with lost or stolen equipment or keys promptly
  • Works collaboratively and as a team with other members of the Grounds Services team and also with other FD&O units and personnel, as needed, to successfully complete work assignments and support work efforts
  • Responds promptly to, and assists with urgent needs in order to prevent injury, damage or further incident
  • Attends and participates in departmental meetings, trainings and functions
  • Participates in after hours emergency response callbacks and scheduled overtime to meet campus needs


Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Ability to recognize safety hazards and follow practices and laws to insure safety
  • Ability to load and unload vehicles and trailers correctly and safely
  • Ability to service and make routine repairs to the equipment operated
  • Knowledge of general gardening, turf, and grounds maintenance methods
  • Ability to maintain records, communicate, and retrieve data related to work performed using manual and computerized record-keeping systems, and to keep simple records and make simple reports
  • Knowledge of the State of California General Industrial Safety Orders related to the operation of all equipment and the safe conduct of all assigned tasks, particularly as related to vehicle and equipment operations, construction methods and practices, and the lifting and moving of heavy loads
  • Must participate in all required health physicals and examinations.
  • Possession of a valid California Driver’s License and maintenance of an ongoing driving record that allows for the operation of any vehicle required for this position


Required Qualifications
  • Possess appropriate license for each vehicle operated and may be required by the State of California Vehicle Code to carry appropriate certification while driving. Drivers of State-owned vehicles must maintain a good driving record which will be checked periodically with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Equivalent to one year of paid or regularly assigned driving experience in a job involving operating a delivery vehicle, truck, tractor, bus, or automotive maintenance equipment
  • Equivalent to one year of paid or regularly assigned driving experience in a job involving operating a delivery vehicle, truck, tractor, bus, or automotive maintenance equipment


License

A valid driver's license is required for this position. Out of state candidates selected for the position must obtain a State of California driver's license within 10 days of hire in accordance with the California Department of Motor Vehicles regulations.

Once hired the employee must successfully complete the Defensive Driver Training Program provided by the State of California for California State University campuses.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Knowledge of the California Vehicle Code as related to safe operation of vehicles required for the position
  • Knowledge of the California Industrial Safety Orders related to performance of duties using the vehicles and equipment required for the position
  • General knowledge of natural turf lawn care practices
  • High school diploma or equivalent education
  • Possession of a maintenance gardener pest control certification or qualified applicator license from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation
  • Three years of regularly assigned equipment operation and driving experience in a job involving major grounds maintenance and repair or conducted with a delivery vehicle, truck, tractor, bus, or automotive maintenance
  • Experience in the maintenance of natural or artificial turf
  • Experience working within a University or large commercial setting


Compensation

Classification: Light Auto Equipment Operator
Anticipated Hiring Range: $3,989/month - $4,350/month
CSU Salary Range: $3,505/month - $6,287/month

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary .

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:
  • Resume
  • Letter of Interest


All applicants must apply within the specified application period: July 1, 2024 through July 23, 2024. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Work Schedule

Selected candidates will be placed in one of the following shifts based on operational needs.

Monday - Friday, 6:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu .

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu .

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf . The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu .

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University (SJSU) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. This policy applies to all SJSU students, faculty and staff programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus).

Advertised: Jul 01 2024 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:

Closing Date/Time:

Job Address

San Jose, California United States View Map