BASIC FUNCTION: 

Under the direction of assigned administrators, lead, oversee and participate in a variety of grounds maintenance and gardening duties for the beautification of assigned areas.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: 

The Lead Grounds Maintenance Worker can be differentiated from Grounds Maintenance Worker in that the Lead classification is responsible for assigning and overseeing the completion of grounds tasks within a team environment for assigned sites. The Lead Grounds Maintenance Worker can be differentiated from Coordinator-Grounds Maintenance in that the Lead classification is responsible for leading the team to which they are assigned, whereas the Coordinator-Grounds Maintenance oversees and coordinates District-wide grounds activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: 

Lead a team of Grounds Maintenance Workers and participate in grounds maintenance and gardening activities such as mowing, edging, trimming, and watering lawns, fields and other turf grounds; preparing and fertilizing soil; watering various grounds areas by hand or by operating an irrigation system; planting, cultivating, pruning, spraying, fertilizing and irrigating flowers, trees, grass, hedges and shrubs; hoeing and pulling weeds; edging walkways; raking leaves; sweeping litter from walks, driveways and other assigned areas; and emptying waste receptacles.

Assign grounds tasks within a team of Grounds Maintenance Workers and provide work direction and training as needed; oversee the maintenance of grounds and other assigned areas to ensure a safe, clean and attractive environment for students, staff and the public; inspect grounds and landscaped areas to ensure completion of work tasks by grounds maintenance team; and provide input concerning employee evaluations to the Director of Facilities, Maintenance, and Transportation as requested.

Inspect playground and other school equipment and areas to ensure safety and proper operating condition; identify and report grounds and equipment safety issues and hazards to appropriate personnel; perform minor maintenance and repairs; and respond to emergency grounds maintenance needs as requested.

Lead, oversee and participate in the performance of general grounds cleanup, including picking up and removing paper, trash and debris from grounds areas, parking lots, playgrounds, athletic fields and other assigned areas; and clean storm drains and rain gutters as needed.

Install, inspect, maintain and repair irrigation systems; adjust irrigation system clocks and settings; clean, adjust, repair and replace sprinkler heads; and dig holes and trenches as assigned.

Perform a variety of duties involved in the preparation, lining, painting and marking of athletic fields and related areas in accordance with established specifications and requirements.

Move and arrange furniture and equipment; transport supplies and equipment for assigned projects and activities; set up and assemble chairs, tables and other furniture and equipment for special events and activities; and clean up furniture, equipment and debris following these events.

Coordinate and communicate with District personnel and various outside agencies to exchange information, coordinate activities and resolve issues or concerns.

Install and maintain fences as assigned.

Apply pest control methods to eradicate pests according to established procedures as assigned.

Operate and maintain a variety of power-driven equipment such as mowers, tractors, edgers, dump trucks, skip loaders, backhoes, line markers, lifts and blowers; utilize standard gardening and maintenance hand tools; and drive a vehicle to conduct work and check and replenish fuel.

Maintain routine records related to assigned activities as required.

OTHER DUTIES:

Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Basic grounds maintenance procedures including mowing, edging, raking and weeding.
Methods, equipment and materials used in gardening and grounds maintenance work.
Cultivating, fertilizing, watering and spraying of flowers, trees and shrubs.
Operation of hand and power tools and equipment used in ground maintenance.
Basic practices and techniques involved in the development and implementation of landscaping and gardening projects and the maintenance and repair of irrigation systems.
Methods and materials used in controlling weeds and other pests.
Basic record-keeping techniques.
Proper lifting techniques.
Health and safety regulations.

ABILITY TO:

Operate and maintain hand and power tools and other equipment used in grounds maintenance.
Train and provide work direction.
Prioritize and delegate work activities.
Show care and thoroughness in completing tasks.
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
Recognize and report problems and safety concerns.
Communicate orally and in writing.

EDUCATION: Graduation from high school or evidence of equivalent educational proficiency.

EXPERIENCE: Two years of experience performing grounds maintenance for a public or private organization.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Valid California driver's license.

ENVIRONMENT:

Outdoor work environment.
Seasonal heat and cold or adverse weather conditions.
Exposure to fumes, dust, odors, oil, grease and gases.
Driving a vehicle to conduct work.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate grounds maintenance equipment.
Walking or standing for extended periods of time.
Seeing to perform gardening and grounds work.
Lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling heavy objects as assigned by position.
Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching.
Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally.
Climbing ladders and working from heights.
Heavy physical labor.

HAZARDS:

Exposure to chemicals used in pest control and weed abatement.
Working around and with machinery having moving parts.
Working on ladders.

Carlsbad Unified School District aspires for our staff to reflect the rich diversity of our students