Working Title: Groundskeeper (2 Openings)

Classification Title: CMA Groundskeeper 

Department Name: Grounds 

Time Base: Full-time

Pay Plan: 12 month 

Bargaining Unit:  10 (IUOE)

Employment Type: Probationary/Permanent 

Salary Range:

• Hiring salary is budgeted at $3,500 - $4,300 per month commensurate with education and experience
• CSU Salary Range: $3,317 -$5,960 per month.

Benefits: Premium benefit package includes outstanding health, dental, and vision plans; life and disability insurances; pension (CalPERS); tuition fee waiver; and 14 paid holidays per year. See our benefits website for additional information.

Application Deadline: Open until filled. A review of applications will begin Thursday, June 12, 2025 and the review period may end at any time thereafter.

Position Summary:  

Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Facilities Management & the Chief Engineer and with primary direction and guidance from the Lead Groundskeeper, the incumbent performs a variety of skilled gardening and general grounds maintenance work, minor road and equipment repairs and performs other related work.

About the California State University Maritime Academy:

Established in 1929, California State University Maritime Academy, a campus of the California State University, is the only degree-granting maritime academy on the West Coast. Located on the scenic Vallejo waterfront, the campus serves a student population of approximately 1000 undergraduates and 50 graduate students.

Cal Maritime offers seven baccalaureate degrees in Business Administration, International Strategy and Security, Facilities Engineering Technology, Marine Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering,  Marine Transportation, and Oceanography. The undergraduate curriculum includes licensing programs for future merchant marine, coast guard, and naval reserve officers. Cal Maritime also offers a Master of Science in Transportation and Engineering Management degree, as well as a number of extended learning programs and courses.

Major Responsibilities: 

• Plants, cultivates, waters, trims and sprays ornamental plants, shrubs, hedges, trees and flowers in assigned sector; maintains vegetation along Academy roads, mows lawns, rakes leaves, hoes weeds and performs general grounds maintenance including trash pick up; trims trees, hedges, and shrubs; keeps grounds clean and orderly; transports debris from trash cans to dumpster; plans, installs and maintains irrigation systems.
• Performs miscellaneous minor road repair work; estimates and requisitions materials and supplies; and performs other related work that may include minor building maintenance.
• Maintains tools and equipment in proper condition and repair; attends and participates in department safety meetings.

Required Qualifications: 

1) One year experience in flower gardening and general grounds maintenance work

OR

2) Completion of a formal vocation training program in flower gardening and general grounds maintenance

OR

3) Education: Completion of a two-year curriculum in ornamental horticulture or landscape work at the community college or college level (persons registered in the last year of the required curriculum will be considered but must produce evidence of completion of the required education before appointment

Knowledge of:

• Methods, materials, tools and equipment used in the installation, maintenance and repair of irrigation systems.
• Plant selection and care specific to this local.

Skills:

• Recognize and solve irrigation problems.
• Diagnose and make minor repairs to landscape equipment.

Ability to:

• Recognize and treat plant diseases and insect pests common to California.
• Read and write English at a level required for successful job performance.
• Read, interpret and work from plans, drawings and specifications.
• Work independently and with a crew.

 

• Must be familiar with the operation and safe use of all types of landscape implements and equipment to include weed eaters, chainsaw, mowers (riding and push), power hedge trimmers and street sweeper.

Licenses: Must possess and maintain a valid California State Drivers' license in satisfactory standing. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Two years experience in landscape related field
• QAC (Qualified Applicator Card) Pesticide License

Special Conditions: 

• Satisfactory completion of a pre-employment physical is required.

Hours of Work/Travel: Incumbents must be willing to work overtime, including weekends and holidays, based on operational needs.

Physical, Mental and Environmental Conditions: 

• Work performed outside in the heat, cold and/or rain and may involve exposure to hazardous conditions
• Must be able to operate power, hand tools and landscape equipment,
• Climb and work on scaffolding, ladders, rigging and power man lifts
• Lift and carry materials, tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 75 lbs in a safe manner
• Perform overhead work for extended periods of time
• Work in poor terrain
• Must work with chemicals and other hazardous substances
• Must perform work overhead for extended periods of time
• Must work, on occasion, in excess heat, cold, humidity, dampness and dry atmospheric conditions for short periods of time
• Work may involve exposure to hazardous conditions

Title IX: Please view the Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator at: https://www2.calstate.edu/titleix

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Maritime provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Maritime complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Maritime is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Maritime, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Background Check: Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check, DMV records check, and physical) is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, 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 conditionally offered the position.

Mandated Reporter: The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment.

Eligibility to Work:  Applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or authorization to work in the United States within three days of the date of hire.

Integration: The California State University Board of Trustees has approved the integration of the California State University Maritime Academy with California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, effective July 1, 2025. The two campuses will form one academic institution operated as California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and all employment positions with California State University Maritime Academy are subject to this transition. Employees hired in the period after the Trustees’ approval on November 21, 2024 and prior to the integration date on July 1, 2025 will have their employment transitioned to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.  Employment shall continue to be subject to California State University policies and applicable collective bargaining agreements. Any changes in organizational structure, reporting relationships, or employment conditions will be communicated as details are finalized.

Application Procedure: Click "APPLY NOW" to complete the Cal Maritime Online Employment Application and attach the following documents: cover letter and resume. 

Disclaimer: The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained may be modified or changed.