BASIC FUNCTION: Under the direction of the Director of Maintenance, Operations and Transportation, perform a variety of grounds maintenance and gardening duties in the beautification of assigned grounds and landscaped areas. REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: ESSENTIAL DUTIES: Mow, edge, trim, and water lawns, fields and other turf grounds; prepare and fertilize soil; water various grounds areas by hand or by operating the irrigation system. Plant, cultivate, prune, spray, fertilize and irrigate flowers, trees, grass and shrubs; hoe and pull weeds and rake leaves; edge walkways; sweep litter from walks and driveways. Perform general grounds cleanup, including picking up paper, trash and debris on grounds areas, parking lots, playgrounds, athletic fields and other assigned areas; empty waste receptacles as assigned. Operate a variety of power-driven equipment such as tractors, mowers, edgers, blowers, hedge trimmers, sprayers, saws, trenchers, jack hammers, and other equipment used in grounds work; utilize standard gardening hand tools; drive a vehicle to conduct work. Maintain grounds maintenance equipment in safe operating condition; perform minor maintenance on equipment such as changing blades, greasing and changing oil. Apply pest control methods to eradicate weeds, gophers and other pests according to established procedures. Monitor inventory levels of grounds maintenance supplies as required; assist with ordering, receiving and maintaining inventory of supplies as assigned. Assist with the maintenance and repair of fences, asphalt and concrete, and irrigation systems as assigned; unclog drains and gutters as needed. Maintain routine records related to assigned activities. OTHER DUTIES: Perform related duties as assigned within classification. KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES: 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 methods and materials used in controlling weeds and other pests. Basic record-keeping techniques. Health and safety regulations. ABILITY TO: Perform a variety of grounds maintenance and gardening duties in the beautification of assigned grounds and landscaped areas. Mow, edge, water, weed, fertilize, rake and cultivate lawns, flower beds, athletic fields and other landscaped areas. Maintain athletic areas in a safe condition. Operate and maintain hand and power tools and other equipment used in grounds maintenance. Apply specialized chemicals to control and eradicate weeds, gophers and other pests. Understand and follow oral and written instructions. Maintain routine records related to work performed. Observe health and safety regulations. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Any combination equivalent to: sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed above. High school graduate. LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Valid California driver’s license. Must pass pre-employment physical. ENVIRONMENT: Outdoor work environment. Seasonal heat and cold or adverse weather conditions. Exposure to fumes, dust, odors, oil/grease, gases. Driving a vehicle to conduct work. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Perceiving the nature of sound, near and far vision, depth perception, providing oral information, the manual dexterity to operate equipment and use hand tools, and handle and work with various materials and objects are important aspects of this job. Persons performing service in this position classification will exert 75 to 100 pounds of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move heavy objects. Seeing to perform gardening and grounds work. Hearing and speaking to exchange information. Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally. Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching. This type of work may involve ascending and descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, and ramps, and will involve walking or standing for extended periods. Sitting for extended periods of time to operate mowers and other machines. Heavy physical labor. Exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy conditions caused by weather may occasionally be experienced. HAZARDS: Exposure to chemicals used in pest control and weed abatement. Working around and with machinery having moving parts. Working on ladders.