There is one anticipated vacancy in the Public Works Department. Future vacancies for this position may be filled from the eligible list to be established. The typical life of the eligible list is six months. For additional information regarding the benefits of working at Kings County, please click here.
SALARY
Groundsworker I: $17.30 - $21.11 Hourly, $35,984.00 - $43,908.80 Annually
Groundsworker II: $19.11 - $23.32 Hourly, $39,748.80 - $48,505.60 Annually
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Groundsworker classification series is utilized in the Parks Division of the Public Works Department to perform landscaping and maintenance of County parks and other properties. Incumbents report to the Parks and Grounds Superintendent and/or their designee and are deputized to supervise inmate trustees. Incumbents may supervise work-in-lieu, welfare-to-work, or other volunteer and alternative work forces. Groundsworker I is the entry level classification in the series. Incumbents work under relatively close supervision and are expected to advance to Groundsworker II as assigned responsibilities and breadth of knowledge increase, and upon completion of the required experience, and demonstration of satisfactory performance. Groundsworker II is the experienced level classification in the series. Incumbents are expected to carry out the full range of duties and must acquire and maintain licensure and certification as described below.
Duties include but are not limited to those described below. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.
Mows, trims and edges lawns, turf and other areas to maintain landscaped County properties; performs routine maintenance including weed removal, raking flower beds, painting facilities and equipment, cleaning restrooms at assigned locations, collection of debris and emptying of garbage cans and utility trailers; supervises, transports and controls inmate trustees, work-in-lieu, welfare-to-work, or other volunteer and alternative work forces, including assignment of work, training and instruction in safe, efficient operation of tools and equipment; inspects, cleans, lubricates, makes minor repairs to and maintains equipment and tools; prunes and shapes shrubs and trees on County properties; prepares planting area and plants shrubs, trees, flowers, sod and turf; mixes and applies pesticides and/or herbicides to landscaped areas and soil; removes unwanted trees and stumps; provides coverage for and assistance to Park Caretakers as needed; establishes and maintains equipment servicing records; may provide coverage for the Parks Division office as necessary; splits and stacks wood; places landscaping boulders and spreads decorative bark to landscape County properties; fertilizes vegetation in landscaped areas and stakes trees and shrubs as necessary; installs, programs, maintains and repairs manual and automated water sprinkler systems; may form, mix, pour and finish concrete to form curbing and walkways; may assist in training new Groundsworkers.
Please note: Work experience for the last 15 years must be included in the work history portion of your application. It is also important that your application show all the relevant education and experience that you possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years. A resume may be attached, but is not a substitute for completing the application and supplemental questions. Failure to submit a completed application may eliminate you from the recruitment.
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge, skills and abilities would be:
LEVEL I:
Experience: Six months of experience in general gardening or grounds work.
LEVEL II:
Experience: One year of experience as a Groundsworker I in Kings County or equivalent; OR two years of experience in gardening or grounds work.
License: Possession of a valid Class A commercial driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Certificate: Possession of a valid Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) with a category B endorsement issued by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.
BOTH LEVELS
Education: Formal or informal education sufficient to ensure the ability to read and write English at the level required for successful job performance.
License: Possess and maintain a valid appropriate California driver's license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles. NOTE: This position requires a satisfactory driving record. Therefore, the hiring department will require a DMV printout at the time of the department interview.
Candidate's receiving a conditional offer of employment are required to submit to pre-employment drug testing before employment can be confirmed. Incumbents are required to submit to on-going random and other DOT-mandated drug and alcohol testing as a condition of employment.
Special Requirements: (1) Qualify for deputization by the Kings County Sheriff’s Department, including a background/fingerprint check and demonstrate a satisfactory driving record. A current, valid DMV printout is required upon application for employment. (2) Work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays as assigned. (3) May be assigned a regular rotating and/or seasonal weekend schedule as required. (4) Incumbents possessing or required to possess and maintain a Class A commercial driver's license in order to operate DOT-defined "safety sensitive" vehicles will be required to conform to federal law regarding mandatory drug and alcohol testing as a condition of employment.
Desirable Qualification: Possession of active, valid CPR and first aid certification preferred.
Work Environment/Physical Requirements: Indoor and outdoor working conditions including occasional extreme temperature changes; prolonged periods of walking, standing, bending, stretching, pushing, pulling, climbing ladders, or kneeling; lift objects weighing up to 100 pounds and carry for distances up to 25 feet; sufficiently kneel, stoop and dig for successful job performance; exhibit adequate upper body strength in reaching and pulling for successful job performance; safely and efficiently operate County vehicles including truck and ATV; safely and efficiently operate pruning equipment, mowing and edging equipment, front-end loader, tractor, chipper, aerial lift, large self-propelled mowers, trencher, and a variety of hand tools; exhibit adequate stamina for successful job performance; exhibit a good sense of balance; speak clearly and distinctly; exhibit sufficient manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination for successful job performance; operate radio and hand-held radio; efficiently operate a variety of basic office equipment.
For detailed job descriptions click on the links below:
Groundsworker I
Groundsworker II
All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a screening committee (pass/fail) and/or a written examination (pass/fail) and/or an oral examination (100%) which may include a written practical component to determine placement on the eligible list. Note: The top 40 written test scoring applicants with passing scores will be invited to participate in the oral examination interview process.