Turf Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)
UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link .
The IRD for this job is: 05-11-2026
ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ
UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
Physical Planning, Development & Operations (PPDO) manages and oversees all University activities and services related to physical and environmental planning, design and construction, engineering, physical plant maintenance and operations, capital and space planning, space management, and the associated business services necessary to support these functions. The University's main campus is spread across more than 2,000 acres and includes over 500 buildings comprising more than 8 million square feet. The department includes operating budgets of over $60 million, manages a project portfolio of approximately $990 million, and employs over 400 full-time staff to carry forth the duties necessary for the campus' development and operation.
More information can be found at: https://ppdo.ucsc.edu/physical-plant/grounds-services/
JOB SUMMARY
Under the supervision of the Grounds Superintendent, the Turf Crew Lead operates a large variety of grounds-related equipment, including lawn mowers, blowers, edgers, trenchers, turf tractors, rollers, aerators, dethatchers, fertilizer spreaders, etc., used to maintain approximately 24 acres of campus turf. Turf includes a 9-acre multipurpose sports field, a 4-acre sand-based sports field, and over 100 smaller, widely distributed landscape lawn areas. Turf Crew responsibilities include mowing and edging on landscape lawns and vertebrate pest control on the two larger sports fields.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Budgeted Salary: $31.42/hour - $32.68/hour. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.
Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits
Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment
Job End Date: None
Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus
Union Representation: SX Union
Job Code Classification: 008563 (EQUIP OPR)
Travel: Up to 25% of the time
JOB DUTIES
70% - Turf Maintenance

• Performs turf maintenance operations such as driving turf equipment for the purpose of mowing, edging, aeration, fertilization, overseeding, topdressing, and pesticide application.
• Performs field repairs and daily routine maintenance on equipment operated.

15% - Equipment Maintenance

• Cleans and performs routine maintenance on all turf equipment.
• Sharpen blades, adjust settings, and lubricate equipment.
• Stocks replacement parts.
• Notifies supervisor of equipment needs.
• Keeps records of maintenance performed.
• Assists with irrigation repairs as needed.

10% - Turf Crew Lead

• Coordinates rotation of crew duties.
• Coordinates special projects as needed.
• Coordinates equipment maintenance with campus Fleet Services.

5% - Other Duties as Assigned

• Assists other crews with projects.
• Assists with emergency response.
• Assists with special events.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to interact effectively with crew and various campus units to coordinate crew activities, equipment maintenance, and special events or special projects.
• Experience and knowledge of operating trenchers, turf tractors with a large variety of attachments (aerator, fertilizer spreader, rotary mower, boom sprayer, slit seeder, topdresser, etc.), and smaller grounds related equipment, including aerators, dethatchers, blowers, weed eaters, rototillers, etc.
• Skilled in performing field repairs and routine maintenance on equipment used.
• Skilled in the safe operation of a vehicle with a trailer attached, including backing into areas.
• Must be skilled in the operation of all related equipment with a priority for personal safety and the safety of others in the vicinity.
• Skill and ability in all phases of turf maintenance operations, including burrowing rodent control, fertilizer calculations, disease and pest identification, and knowledge of different grass types.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions in English and to effectively communicate and interact with fellow workers staff, faculty and students.
• Basic knowledge of soil physical, nutrient and water holding properties.
• Ability to utilize basic computer programs including Microsoft Windows file navigation, Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, Gmail's email internet application.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Basic knowledge of irrigation systems and practice principles of irrigation management to facilitate better communicate of irrigation problems to irrigation staff.
• Ability to respond as needed to remove dead animals from campus roads and pathways (these are most often deer, but could be raccoons, snakes, birds, rodents, or coyotes).

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California and be able to participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
• Ability to successfully work with and around a variety of fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides.
• Ability to perform vertebrate pest control such as trapping, baiting, or other types of rodent control.
• Ability to perform grounds keeping duties outdoors through all seasons of weather in developed and undeveloped environments.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here .

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.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, 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

SAFETY STATEMENT
All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) is available at: https://chancellor.ucsc.edu/annual-security-reports/ .
This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.
EEO/AA
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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy .
It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.