County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction, to manage and direct the County’s Grounds maintenance services; provide specialized consultation on grounds maintenance and Integrated Pest Management (IPM); responsible for sustainable landscaping, hardscaping, and gardening designs and practices; ensures compliance with Federal, State, and local laws and regulations; and, to do related work as required.

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This single position class is located in the General Services Agency (GSA) and reports to a Facilities Manager. The Landscape and Grounds Supervisor is distinguished from the next-higher classification Facilities Manager in that the latter is responsible for the planning, managing, coordinating and supervising the facilities maintenance, repair and operation of Alameda County owned buildings, including corrections and detention facilities. Furthermore, this class is distinguished from the lower-level class of Gardener II in that the Grounds Supervisor is responsible for planning, managing, and supervising the grounds maintenance service for Alameda County.

 

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1.  Plans, organizes, administers, designs, monitors, evaluates the work activities of the Grounds Maintenance Services; takes the lead in implementing sustainable gardening and sustainable ground practices.

2. Plans and supervises landscaping and planting projects.

3. Takes the lead with County departments regarding gardening/grounds maintenance requirements and sustainable practices.

4. Plans, directs, and coordinates the activities of County facilities’ structural IPM program in accordance with Federal, State, regional, and local laws and regulations.

5. Coordinates with applicable County staff to ensure implementation of pest prevention measures, such as structural repairs, trapping, housekeeping and sanitation practices.

6. Supervises, trains, and evaluates the work of subordinate staff, contractors, and other temporary workers; develops work standards and performance criteria for gardening staff.

7. Supervises exterior maintenance and clean-up of urban hardscape, including litter control.

8. Designs and supervises installation and maintenance of irrigation systems.

9. Ensures that contracts and contractor performance for structural pest management services are consistent with the County IPM Resolution and the GSA IPM Plan; and, assists contractors and other service providers.

10. Serves as the primary contact regarding structural pest management issues in County owned buildings and provides education about IPM and pesticide use.

11. Keeps current with the latest research and information on structural pest ecology, urban wildlife, and the most effective, humane, and least toxic pest management strategies; researches new products and equipment for maximum efficiency and sustainability.

12. Prepares and analyzes the budget and estimates for grounds maintenance services.

13. Coordinates and ensures the County’s compliance with the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP).

14. Maintains records, controls irrigation devices and tracks regulated chemical usage.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

Experience:

The equivalent of three years of experience in the class of Gardener II in the Alameda County classified service.

Completion of the Alameda County Management Academy “Management and Supervision Certificate Program” may substitute for six (6) months of the required qualifying experience.

Or II

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of four years of increasingly responsible experience in grounds maintenance, including 2 years of administrative and supervisory duties. (Additional supervisory experience may be substituted for the degree on a year-for-year basis.)

Certification:
Possession of a Qualified Applicator Certificate.

License:
Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license

Special Requirements:

Must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance from Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.

Must be willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions.


NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.Knowledge of:

• Modern sustainable gardening technique.
• General landscaping and design for minimum use of water and chemicals.
• Soil preparation including mulching and composting.
• Plants, shrubs, trees native to, or normally grown in Bay Area, including companion plantings.
• Use of insecticides and fungicides.
• Techniques to minimize plant disease and insect pests.
• Proper care of gardening tools and equipment.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and chemical use tracking.
• Principles, practices, and application of stormwater, sediment, and erosion control and mitigation.
• Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, hazards and standard safety practices, and pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Safety procedures and industry best safety practices.
• Industry best practices including sustainable and environmentally friendly techniques.
• Irrigation techniques including drip, electronic and computerized controls, pop-ups, installation and repairs.
• Computer software, i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Ability to:

• Plan and organize.
• Lead and delegate.
• Problem solve and make sound decisions.
• Maintain effective working relationships with employees, customers, contractors, and the public.
• Research, analyze, forecast and make recommendations.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

CH:cs 4/28/10
Newspecs: 9689.doc
CSC Date: 5/5/10
RE:cs Revised 8/1/13
CSC Date: 8/21/13
EL:jf Revised/Retitled 2/5/2018
Old Title: Landscape Supervisor
CSC Date: 4/11/18

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.