California Safe Soil Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary

The Gardener is responsible for maintaining and enhancing campus landscapes, athletic fields, and grounds to support a safe, attractive, and functional university environment. Working independently under general supervision, this position performs skilled horticultural and sports turf maintenance, irrigation repair, pest management, and operation of specialized grounds equipment. The role ensures campus grounds and athletic facilities are maintained to established standards while supporting sustainability, operational efficiency, and the university's mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain campus landscapes, ornamental gardens, trees, shrubs, and athletic sports turf.
• Prepare, line, and maintain athletic fields to meet intercollegiate competition standards.
• Install, cultivate, prune, fertilize, irrigate, and care for plants, trees, shrubs, and turf.
• Inspect, repair, modify, and maintain irrigation systems and related equipment.
• Apply herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, and soil amendments using approved practices.
• Operate and perform routine maintenance on grounds equipment, vehicles, and specialized turf maintenance machinery.
• Maintain nursery operations, propagate plants, and recommend appropriate plant materials and landscape improvements.
• Document work activities, maintain inventory and equipment records, and utilize computerized maintenance management systems.
• Respond to urgent maintenance needs, report repair issues, and maintain safe, clean work areas.
• Participate in training, follow safety procedures, and use required personal protective equipment.   

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of horticulture, plant identification, propagation, pruning, and landscape maintenance practices.
• Knowledge of sports turf management, athletic field preparation, irrigation systems, and soil management.
• Ability to identify and address plant diseases, pests, and nutrient deficiencies.
• Skill in operating, maintaining, and safely using grounds maintenance equipment and vehicles.
• Ability to install, repair, and modify irrigation systems and related components.
• Ability to communicate professionally and work effectively with campus constituents.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and use computerized maintenance management systems.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, prioritize work, and respond effectively to changing operational needs.
• Knowledge of safe work practices, equipment maintenance, and applicable environmental and safety regulations.  

Required Qualifications

• Two years of experience in performing work in the cultivation and care of nursery or ornamental plants including planting of seeds and cuttings, watering, fertilizing, transplanting, and pruning.
• Requires the possession of a valid California Driver's License for the operation of any vehicle or equipment required for position and in any emergency situation.
• Must participate in all OSHA required physicals and examinations.

License

A valid driver's license is required for this position. Out of state candidates selected for the position must obtain a State of California driver's license within 10 days of hire in accordance with the California Department of Motor Vehicles regulations.

Once hired the employee must successfully complete the Defensive Driver Training Program provided by the State of California for California State University campuses.

Preferred Qualifications

• QAL/QAC Certificate for pest control in Landscape
• Two years in the general maintenance of landscaped areas, one year of which shall have been in the maintenance of sports turf, equipment operation, and irrigation installation and repair.

Compensation

Classification: Gardener
Anticipated Hiring Range: $4,050/month - $4,652/month (Step 7 - Step 14)
CSU Salary Range: $/month - $5,035/month (Step 1 - Step 18)
San Jose State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: June 26, 2026, through July 12, 2026. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Work Schedule

Selected candidates will be placed in one of the following shifts based on operational needs.
Tuesday - Saturday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, 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 offered the position on a contingent basis.
The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.
SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)
All San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San Jose State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San Jose State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San Jose State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.