Lead Landscape Technician - 138834

The Landscape Services & Waste Management Division is a vital component of the UC San Diego Facilities Management (FM) Department, responsible for the comprehensive care, sustainability, and operational integrity of the university's exterior environment. This division plays a pivotal role in shaping and maintaining an aesthetically engaging, safe, and environmentally responsible campus setting that supports UC San Diego's mission of education, research, and public service.Spanning over 1,200 acres, the division manages a diverse range of services across the university's main campus and off-site facilities. These services include the maintenance of landscaped areas, hardscapes, urban forests, and roadways, as well as the full spectrum of waste, recycling, and composting operations. With stewardship over 25,000 trees, 10 miles of campus roads, and the removal and processing of more than 10,000 tons of solid waste and recycling materials annually, the division is central to UC San Diego's environmental sustainability and operational resilience.Landscape Services ensures the health, functionality, and appearance of the university's exterior environments through the efforts of several specialized teams:* The construction crew is responsible for the upkeep and repair of all sidewalks and roadways, fabrication of hardscape structures, and emergency response services related to infrastructure needs.* The landscape maintenance team performs a wide range of horticultural duties, including planting, pruning, fertilizing, and replacing vegetation, while supporting litter removal and mitigating stormwater pollution and flood risks through measures such as sandbag deployment.* The mechanical services team maintains and repairs a fleet of landscape equipment and ensures the proper functioning of retractable bollards and related infrastructure.* The arborist and tree crew manage tree health and canopy maintenance across campus, including specialized operations such as Fire Risk Reduction Services, tree removal, trimming, and flagpole placement and maintenance.* The waste and recycling team services all university waste and recycling bins and leads the campus-wide implementation and management of composting programs, sustainability initiatives, and specialty waste stream disposal.The division works in close collaboration with campus planning and capital project teams to maintain alignment with UC San Diego's long-term sustainability goals and design standards. In compliance with local and state environmental regulations, the division actively integrates low-water-use technologies, drought-tolerant and native plants, recycled irrigation systems, and integrated pest management practices to promote resource conservation and biodiversity. Additionally, the division oversees campus-wide pest control operations, mitigating threats to public health, infrastructure, and the natural environment.Through a customer-focused, safety-conscious, and environmentally progressive approach, the Landscape Services & Waste Management Division ensures that UC San Diego remains a model for excellence in campus operations, sustainability, and landscape stewardship.

Under general supervision assist in the scheduling, assigning and coordination of the work of one or more teams of Landscape Technicians. Assist with determining duties; utilization of materials and equipment; development of work methods. Inspect work assignments for quality control and completion of tasks. Receive equipment and supply requests from crew. Process requests through campus procure-to-pay systems for purchases up to $5,000. Pick up and deliver supplies. Maintain equipment and supply records. Verify electronic submitted time and material records in timekeeping and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems for accuracy. Maintain accurate records for Landscape Services projects. Write, submit or call in landscape maintenance work orders to Facilities Management (FM) Service Desk and report any maintenance problems to Superintendent. Operate a variety of hand and power tools such as: mowers, edgers, blowers, hedge trimmers, line trimmers, chain saws, rakes, shovels, hoes, brooms and other related landscape maintenance tools. Maintain tools and equipment in clean and safe working order. Uses assigned tools and power equipment in a safe and prescribed manner, avoiding injury, misuse, breakage or loss. Trim, mow, edge, fertilize, renovate and aerate turf areas; irrigate, feed, and mulch around trees, shrubs and hedges; trim and prune small trees, shrubs and hedges. Weed, prune, hedge, rake, blow, sweep, mulch and fertilize landscaped areas.

• Demonstrated experience in landscape maintenance work including knowledge of methods, tools, materials and related equipment. At least two years recent and direct experience working as a Landscape Technician or Groundskeeper at a University, College, Hospital, Municipality, and/or other large commercial facility or a combination of education and experience.

• Experience prioritizing, coordinating and directing the work of a landscape maintenance team at a University, College, Hospital, Municipality, and/or other large commercial facility.

• Demonstrated experience maintaining Southern California plant material; solid understanding of their cultural requirements, pests and diseases, and ability to identify undesirable plant material.

• Demonstrated experience maintaining and repairing irrigation systems utilizing recognized standards, guidelines, applications and practices. Demonstrated experience creating irrigation schedules and programming irrigation controllers based on horticultural and water conservation principles.

• Experience safely operating, maintaining and cleaning commonly used landscape maintenance equipment and tools such as but not limited to: mower, edger, blower, hedge trimmer, line trimmer, chain saw, rake, shovel, hoe, broom, and other related landscape maintenance equipment and tools. Experience in the operation of trenchers; aerators; tractors; roto-tillers and other commonly used power-driven landscape maintenance equipment.

• Experience using various computer software programs like email, internet, word processing and databases. Ability to transfer information and figures into report format. Written and computer skills must be sufficient to complete basic forms, logs, reports and email correspondence.

• Ability and skill to evaluate own work and documentation for completion and accuracy of data.

• Ability to provide excellent customer service and interact in a positive manner within a multi-cultural environment.

• Ability to effectively communicate orally, in writing, and electronically. Ability to follow written and oral instructions.

• Demonstrated ability to train and instruct a diverse workforce utilizing strong interpersonal and presentation skills.

• Skill to establish and implement short and medium range landscape maintenance plans.

• Ability to be flexible and constantly adjust to changing priorities.

• Ability to follow through and carry out assignments.

• Ability to use problem-solving skills and sound judgement.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate ideas and information orally, in writing and electronically in a manner which is clear and concise.

• Ability to understand and apply University and Departmental policies and procedures.

• Demonstrates competency and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

• Ability to model and advocate UCSD Principles of Community.

• Basic experience using standard computer systems and applications including Microsoft Office Suite, computerized maintenance management (work order) systems, such as Maximo, electronic mail and web-based applications.

• Required to hold valid 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.

• DMV and DOJ/FBI background check clearances required prior to employment.

• Must be physically able to perform all essential functions.

• May be required to work overtime as operationally necessary.

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

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.

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

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.

a. "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