Laborer/Gardener (8097C), Facilities Services - #87675 About Berkeley
At the University of California, Berkeley , we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.
At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth . We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.
We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan , which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.
Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride .
Departmental Overview
Facilities Services works to continuously improve the campus in partnership with all members of the University community to ensure that classrooms, laboratories, and offices support teaching, learning and research. Through the efforts of over 400 dedicated staff members and serving over 10 Million square feet of building space and 1100 acres, Facilities Services includes the asset management program, custodial services, maintenance operations, engineering and technical services, environmental services, grounds operations, and the Cal Zero Waste program.
Position Summary
In this position, the Laborer/Gardener maintains the campus landscape and surrounding university properties.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is: August 5, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.
Responsibilities
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE - 35%
Perform weeding: cultivation: ground cover pruning: vine and shrub pruning: mulching: leaf pickup; watering by manual sprinklers, hose and spike, portable sprinklers • and supplementing automatic systems. Assist tree crew with sucker removal: brush pickup and chipping. Assist mowing crew with power mowers, edging and blowing clippings off hardscape.
LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION/REPAIR - 10%
Perform demolition: soil preparation, including amendment, rototilling and grading; install plant material; install and/or repair header boards; renovate turf-scalp, overseed top dress and/or lay sod. Assist with installation, repair and/or relocation of grounds furnishings; erosion control. Assist with installation and repair of irrigation systems.
BEAT POLICING/INSPECTION - 25%
Pick up and remove litter and debris: empty trash boxes and replace as necessary: strip poster and flyers, etc. from all non-designated structures. Inspect and observe beat and report problems to proper personnel regarding: irrigation, pest infestations, tree hazards; surfaces and furnishings in need of repair and/or replacement; safety hazards; general landscape problems (stressed or declining plants including trees, erosion, etc.); and vandalism/graffiti.
IRRIGATION MAINTENANCE - 5%
Perform head/valve cleaning. Fill in holes and low spots around heads. Perform minor head adjustments and/or repairs.
TREE MAINTENANCE - 5%
Perform tree trimming and thinning, up to 25', utilizing ladders and appropriate safety equipment; tree pollarding (i.e. sycamores); small tree removal and brush chipping and removal.
MISCELLANEOUS DUTIES - 10%
Clean drain covers and catch basins; clean building entrances and pathways, power washing hardscape, operate power mowers, and clean window wells. Perform creek-bed clean-up; road cleaning; hillside maintenance (brush and weed cutting and litter pickup); fire trail maintenance; log splitting and other related tasks. Assist tree crew in emergency situations.
SAFETY - 5%
Adhere to all university and departmental safety guidelines. Attend job-related and safety training as required.
OTHER - 5%
Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Knowledge and ability to properly operate, and provide daily/weekly basic maintenance of landscape maintenance equipment such as: lawnmower, edger, weed whip, blower, vacuum, hedge trimmers, splitter, stump grinder, sprayers, aerator, verticutter, turf aerator, sod cutter, etc.
Demonstrated ability to read, write and follow oral/written instructions provided in English.
Ability to interact in a positive manner with campus community, including students, building managers, academic personnel, and craft personnel, in a multi-cultural environment.
Knowledge of ANSI A 300 Part 1-Standard Pruning Practices.
Twelve months of experience in a grounds operation; or an equivalent• combination of training and experience preferred.
Demonstrated knowledge of methods, materials, tools, equipment used in grounds work and safe work practices.
Must be able to drive small trucks.
Must be able to work cooperatively in a group setting.
Ability to work outdoors in fluctuating and/or extreme weather conditions.
Must be available to respond to emergencies and work occasional overtime and on weekends/holidays.
Adhere to Facilities Services work rules and Code of Conduct.
Employee is personally responsible for following health and safety guidelines/instructions.
Salary & Benefits
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $32.96 - $40.98, Step 10 - 22.
This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.
This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.
