Lead Gardener

**Lead Gardener**

**Posting Number**: 0601498

**Open Date**: 05/10/2024

**Position Title**: Lead Gardener

**Department**: Grounds

**Work Site**: Main Campus: 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA 91910

**FLSA**: Non-Exempt

**Position Type**: Classified Bargaining/Staff (Permanent Contract)

**Months of Service**: 12 months

**FTE**: 1.0 (full-time)

**Hours Per Week**: 40

**Funding Source**: District

**District Values**: Incumbents in District positions are expected to exhibit an equity-minded focus, responsiveness, and sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, and employees, including those with physical or learning disabilities, and successfully foster and support an inclusive educational and employment environment.

**Responsibilities**:
**REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES**:

- Assist in the planning and organization of the grounds department.
- Train and provide lead direction and guidance to assigned crews.
- Design landscapes and perform construction related to landscapes and hardscapes.
- Plan and layout sprinklers for designated lawn areas as directed; review plans with superiors; install sprinkler lines as directed to assure adequate sprinkler coverage for lawn areas.
- Provide work direction and guidance to student workers as assigned during regular schedule in the performance of landscape, sports field and hardscape maintenance work.
- Perform related duties as assigned.

**Knowledge & Abilities**:
**MUST HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF**:

- Methods, tools, materials, equipment and practices utilized in grounds maintenance and gardening work.
- Design and layout of general irrigation systems including the knowledge of types of lawns and the frequency and amount of watering required.
- Methods involved in the installation, repair and maintenance of sprinkler systems.
- Nursery and landscape practices and operations.
- Record-keeping techniques.
- Oral and written communication skills.

**MUST HAVE ABILITY TO**:

- Diagnose and treat plant diseases and problems.
- Cultivate, fertilize, water and spray planted areas properly.
- Make independent judgments within the framework of good gardening practices.
- Operate equipment used in sprinkler repair.
- Operate and maintain hand and power equipment including mowers, edgers, trimmers, vacuums, rototillers, renovators and other grounds maintenance equipment.
- Read blueprints and layouts.
- Use appropriate methods and materials of plant pests and weeds management.
- Meet schedules and timelines.
- Understand and follow oral and written directions.

**Education & Experience**:
Any combination equivalent to:
Graduation from high school supplemented by course work in ornamental horticulture, landscaping or related field
**AND**

Five (5) years ornamental horticulture experience.

**Minimum Qualifications (Faculty and Academic Administrator Positions Only)**

**Desired Qualifications**:
Licenses and Other Requirements: Must satisfactorily pass a pre-employment physical examination if selected for position.California Qualified Applicators license.

All District employees must participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program, which requires them to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they receive an approved medical or religious exemption.

**Working Conditions**:
**ENVIRONMENT**: Outdoor environment. Driving a vehicle to conduct work.

**PHYSICAL ABILITIES**: Heavy physical labor. Bending at the waist. Walking over rough or uneven surfaces. Pushing, pulling, carrying, and lifting heavy objects. Standing and walking for extended periods of time. Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate specialized gardening and equipment.

**HAZARDS**: Pesticide and herbicide chemicals and fumes. Fumes and noise from vehicle and equipment operation. Dust, dirt, oil/grease, gases, and pollen. Working with or around machinery with moving parts, and extreme weather conditions.

**Salary**: R. 16, Step 1-7, $4,270.42-$5,400.74 (approximately).

An excellent benefits package which includes medical, vision, dental, retirement, vacation, generous sick leave package, and life insurance is available for the employee and eligible dependents.

**Salary Schedule**: Classified Bargaining Unit

**Work Schedule**:
Monday-Friday: 6:00 a.m.2:30 p.m. (approximately). Work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the department.

**Initial Screening Deadline**:
**Tentative Timeline (Subject to Amendments)**:
**Open Until Filled** Yes

Required Applicant Docs Cont'd Southwestern College Online Application

**Supplemental Application**:
**Special Instructions to Applicants**:
**Foreign Degrees**: Foreign degrees require an evaluation for United States equivalency from an agency having membership with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc.

**Additional Information**:
As an Equal Opportunity Employer and in compliance with the Americans with Disa