GROUNDS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

Position Number: 40075469

Payroll Title: GROUNDS EQUIP OPR (008134)

Job Code: 008134

Job Open Date: 5/20/26

Application Review Begins: 6/3/26

Department Code (Name): FACM (FACILITIES MANAGEMENT)

Percentage of Time: 100

Union Code (Name): SX

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: STEPS

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $26.22 to $28.90/hr. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $21.88 to $30.08/hr.

Work Location: 6759 Navigator Way, Goleta CA 93117

Working Days and Hours: Monday - Friday, 5:00AM - 1:30PM

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:

Charged with providing campus operations and maintenance services to the core campus. Its focus is on the state supported, general funded buildings and infrastructure, over 4 million gross square feet of space, and over 260 acres of grounds.

Benefits of Belonging

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties:

Under supervision, operates specialized medium to heavy power grounds and related equipment in the maintenance and operation of the Campus Grounds, road and bikeway systems.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of safe operation procedures for medium and heavy grounds equipment, including mowers, tractors, sweepers, dump trucks, and landscaping attachments.
• Knowledge of turf and landscape maintenance practices such as mowing, edging, aerating, fertilizing, irrigation support, and debris removal
• Knowledge of preventative maintenance procedures for grounds equipment, including oil changes, lubrication, belt inspection, and fluid replacement.
• Knowledge of workplace safety standards, including PPE use, hazard awareness, and safe handling of tools and machinery.
• Skilled in operating ride-on mowers, tractors, turf sweepers, blowers, and other landscaping equipment efficiently and safely.
• Skilled in performing routine grounds maintenance while maintaining high-quality appearance standards.
• Skilled in diagnosing minor mechanical issues and completing basic equipment repairs and maintenance.
• Skilled in time management and prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced outdoor work environment.

• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and completing assignments independently.

• Ability to communicate professionally with supervisors, coworkers, students, and the public.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and perform physically demanding labor for extended periods.
• Ability to maintain awareness of surroundings while operating equipment near pedestrians, buildings, and roadways.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a grounds or facilities team.
• Ability to maintain campus grounds, athletic fields, roadways, and landscaped areas to university standards.

• Ability to safely lift, carry, and move equipment and landscaping materials as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preferred High School Diploma
• 1-3 years' Experience in operating landscape equipment, specifically operating heavy equipment Preferred

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must speak English to communicate with the public.
• Required to hold a valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies and procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.
• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• Direct responsibility for the care, safety and security of humans or animals; or the safety and security of personal or University property.
• Responsibility for operating commercial vehicles, machinery or toxic systems that could cause accidental death, injury or health problems
• UCSB is a Tobacco Free Environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an 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; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

• 55% Equipment Operation - Operates and maintains tractors, loaders, backhoes, riding mowers, sweepers, compressors, power vacuums, blowers, rototillers, concrete saw, jack hammer, vibratory plate, sheepsfoot compactor, chain saws, string trimmer, walk-behind mowers, aerators and other assorted attachments and equipment. May operate aerial lifts to perform tree work, banner installation, etc.

• 15% Groundskeeping - Plants and prunes trees, shrubs, vines and ground covers, installs landscape mulches, and applies herbicides and pesticides. Prepares planting areas, removes old vegetation, amends soil, grades areas as required, and plants new material.

• 10% Road & Bike Path Maintenance - May maintain the campus road and bikeway systems by laying hot and cold mix asphalt, applying fog and slurry sealcoats, paints, and other materials. May perform concrete repair and repair/installation of other paved surfaces.

• 5% Signage - Installs and maintains signs and other pedestrian and vehicular warning devices. Picks up litter and debris as required.

• 5% Landscape - Plants turf areas by sod, seed, or stolons. Applies fertilizers, aerates turf as required.

• 10% Safety - Complies with all Physical Facilities Safety Programs.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.
As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Reasonable Accommodations:

The University of California endeavors to make https://jobs.ucsb.edu accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Katherine Abad in Human Resources at 805-893-4664 or email katherine.abad@hr.ucsb.edu. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

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