Job Opportunity: Groundskeeper

Help maintain the university's diverse landscapes and other outdoor spaces as a groundskeeper. Apply to join the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden team, where every career employee receives extremely competitive health and retirement benefits including:

• Three weeks vacation at start, holidays and paid sick leave
• One of our state's best pension benefits and a retirement savings program
• An impressive selection of medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Plus, much more...

LEARN MORE and APPLY by July 9, 2026

EXPLORE UC Davis' Competitive HEALTH and RETIREMENT Benefits

Job Summary

Grounds Services is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of outdoor space including landscape, roadways, walkways, and signage throughout Campus. This position performs basic grounds maintenance and assigned tasks for a designated Campus area.

Department Purpose

The Grounds Division provides outdoor maintenance and care of the campus landscape and hardscape. The Grounds Division is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of outdoor space including landscape, roadways, walkways and signage throughout campus.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Required to hold a valid California driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program
• No minimum education required.
• Experience performing grounds maintenance tasks such as planting and maintenance of vegetation, landscaping duties or pesticide applications.
• Experience operating a variety of equipment such as mowers, manual transmission vehicles, hand and power tools.
• Knowledge of tree, plant and weed identification.
• Knowledge of chemical weed control.
• Knowledge of mechanical equipment in order to check for possible problems to avoid damage to equipment prior to starting such as checking gas and oil levels or recognizing mechanical problems which may occur during operation.
• Customer service and communication skills to provide courteous service in person and on the telephone.
• Interpersonal skills to interact and communicate effectively and professionally with administration, staff, visitors and volunteers, using tact, diplomacy, and good judgment during all interactions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Possession of valid California Qualified Applicator Certificate. 
• Experience working as a groundskeeper in an educational or institutional setting.

Job Expectations

Key Responsibilities

• 40% - Outdoor Custodial Functions
• 40% - Maintenance of Campus Grounds
• 10% - Maintenance of Equipment
• 10% - Other Duties

Mental Demands

• Continuous (6 to 8+ hours daily) communication skills, numerical skills, constant interaction, and multiple concurrent tasks
• Frequent (3 to 6 hours daily) sustained attention and concentration, complex problem solving/reasoning, and ability to organize and prioritize
• Occasional (up to 3 hours) customer contact

Physical Demands

• Continuous (6 to 8+ hours daily) standing, walking, sitting, lifting/carrying 0 to 25 pounds, and pushing/pulling 0 to 25 pounds
• Frequent (3 to 6 Hours) lifting/carrying 26 to 50 pounds, pushing/pulling 26 to 50 pounds, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, climbing (e.g., stair or ladders), and keyboard use/repetitive motion
• Occasional (up to 3 hours) lifting/carrying over 50 pounds, pushing/pulling over 50 pounds, and reaching overhead

Environmental Demands

• Frequent (3 to 6 hours daily) exposure to chemical, dust, gases, fumes, loud noise levels, marked changes in humidity or temperature, uneven surfaces or elevations, and operation of motor vehicles and/or equipment
• Occasional (up to 3 hours) exposure to microwave/radiation and extreme temperatures

Special requirements

• UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space. 
• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment.
  • Participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Pull Notice System. 
  • Subject to completion of a pre-placement medical exam provided by Occupational Health Services. 
  • Subject to Medical Surveillance procedures and review in accordance with Federal and State Laws and Regulations and University policy. 
• Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
• Valid CA driver’s license required. 
• Perform tasks that require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, safety shoes, hearing protection devices, protective clothing and gloves. 
• May, at times, work with or be in areas where hazardous materials and/or infectious diseases are present. Specific hazards include but are not limited to: chemicals, fuels and solvents. 
• Work outside in extreme weather conditions. 
• Employee is personally responsible for following safety guidelines/instructions.

LEARN MORE and APPLY by July 9, 2026

EXPLORE UC Davis' Competitive HEALTH and RETIREMENT Benefits