Groundskeeper (1 Vacancy + Eligibility List)

About College of the Desert
The College of the Desert Desert Community College District enrolls approximately 20000 students each academic year with steady enrollment growth each year. College of the Desert embraces diversity in all forms and the right of all people to have access to quality higher education in a safe learning environment. Designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) College of the Desert administers an array of student programs specifically focused on student support and helping students achieve their educational and career goals. As a two-year college we offer Associates Degree for Transfer both in Art and Sciences Associates Degrees and Certificates across a wide range of disciplines.

College of the Desert is a district that consists of leadership staff and faculty who are committed to enhancing our community through supporting the academic success of all of our students including racially and ethnically diverse students students with disabilities students who are first generation to college veterans students of all ages students with diverse socio-economic backgrounds dreamers and students of diverse sexual orientation and gender expression.

When you join College of the Desert you can expect to be part of a diverse inclusive and collaborative community. We provide students with a rich and dynamic learning experience that embraces differences emphasizes collaboration and engages students in and out of the classroom. We are committed to ensuring that College of the Desert is a welcoming place for the success of all students.

Interested in learning more about College of the Desert and the Coachella Valley Visit the links below.

• The Community Coachella Valley
• College of the Desert

Who We Want:
College of the Desert is seeking individuals from a broad range of cultural heritages socioeconomic backgrounds genders abilities and orientations. As such we prioritize individuals who fully demonstrate their understanding of the community we serve the benefits of diversity in a professional and educational setting and values creating a culture that brings people together. A successful candidate will value working in a collegial collaborative environment that is guided by a commitment to inclusion student education and equity. An equity-minded individual is a person who already does or has demonstrated the desire to:

• Understand the importance of holding ourselves accountable as faculty staff and leadership for closing equity gaps and engaging in equitable practices;
• Reframe inequities as a problem of practice and view the elimination of inequities as an individual and collective responsibility;
• Encourage positive race-consciousness and embrace human difference;
• Reflect on institutional and teaching practices and aim to make them more culturally responsive; and
• Strategically build buy-in and participation among colleagues for equity-related initiatives.

BASIC FUNCTION
Under the direction of the Grounds Supervisor or Administrative Services Supervisor-CMC perform general and varied groundskeeping gardening and maintenance work.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

• Plant cultivate prune spray fertilize and irrigate flowers trees grass and shrubs; hoe weeds rake leaves sweep walks pick up debris and other related duties as needed. E
• Mow edge trim fertilize and rake lawns; irrigate and water various grounds areas by hand or by operating a sprinkler system. E
• Operate a variety of power driven equipment such as tractors trucks weed whips mowers fork lifts sweepers earth movers power pressure sprayers chain saws and other equipment used in grounds maintenance work; utilize standard gardening hand tools; assure equipment is in safe operating condition.E
• Install or sod new lawns; sweep lawns sidewalks blacktop and other athletic facility areas; clean and wash down football stadium; aerate and fertilize turfed areas using special equipment. E
• Set-up and prepare seating bleachers tables and dividers for a variety of special events such as concerts athletic events graduation and registration; dismantle clean and repair fields and facilities. E
• Assist with and perform general grounds maintenance duties involved in repairing fences mixing and pouring cement and other duties; haul sand and dirt as assigned.
• Assist in the maintenance and repair of automatic sprinkler systems; reline pipe and electric clock systems as required.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school and one year experience as a groundskeeper.

• Valid California drivers license and must have an acceptable driving record and qualify for insurability by the Districts insurance carrier.
• Some positions in this class may be required to possess a Class B drivers license.

• Knowledge of: Methods materials and equipment used in athletic field maintenance work; basic methods materials and equipment commonly used in propagating cultivating pruning and caring for plants shrubs flowers trees and lawns; safe work practices and procedures; proper and safe operation use and routine maintenance of power-driven grounds equipment and machinery; methods use and care of materials used in controlling pests insects and weeds; cultivating fertilizing watering and spraying of flowers trees and shrubs and weed abatement materials; proper operation of heavy grounds equipment; maintenance and repair of irrigation systems; design installation maintenance and repair of irrigation systems; health and safety regulations and practices.
• Ability to: Perform responsible grounds maintenance duties involved in preparation and maintenance of Districts athletic fields and related facilities; perform groundskeeping duties in the maintenance of lawns and landscaped areas; operate a variety of power equipment including tractors mowers and other mechanical equipment used in grounds maintenance work; utilize line markers dyes drags and other related equipment in the preparation and maintenance of athletic fields; work cooperatively with others; work independently with little direction; meet schedules and time lines; observe health and safety regulations; lift carry push and pull heavy objects; bend at the waist kneel or crouch; walk and stand for extended periods of time; climb ladders to trim trees.

EMPLOYMENT STATUS:

• Classified Bargaining Unit Position
• Classified Staff Salary Range 8
• Retirement System:CalPERS(upon meeting eligibility criteria)
• Salary placement is contingent on education experience and department budget.
• This posting is for 1current vacancyand to establish a6-month eligibility listfor current and futurefull-time Groundskeeperopenings.

SCHEDULE & LOCATION:

• This position is scheduled 40 hours per week 12 months per year.
• The schedule is Monday Friday from 6:00 a.m. 2:30 p.m.
• The primary location is Palm Desert Campus.
• The schedule and location are subject to change based on District need.

• Environment: Outdoor work environment. Driving a vehicle to conduct work. Regular exposure to fumes and noise from equipment operation.
• Hazards: Working around and with machinery having moving parts. Exposure to chemicals used in controlling pests and weed abatement.

REQUIRED APPLICATION AND REQUIRED UPLOADED DOCUMENTS:

To be considered a candidate for this position the following materials must be electronically uploaded:

REQUIRED IN YOUR APPLICATION:

• List of References: References should include at least two supervisors and one colleague. Please include name title email and current phone numbers. Letters of reference will not be accepted in lieu of the required List of References.

• Cover Letter:Please address how you meet the minimum requirements for this position and any special qualifications you possess.
• College Transcripts:Academic transcripts of all college level coursework showing date degree awarded from an accredited institution. For consideration degree(s) must be awarded at the time of application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application. Successful candidate must provide official transcripts upon hire. Non-U.S. transcripts must include a certified U.S. evaluation (i.e. NACES agency: ) at the time of application. Diplomas will not be accepted in lieu of the required transcripts.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:

• Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.
• College of the Desert does not offer sponsorship nor take over sponsorship for an employment VISA.
• Employment is contingent on residence in California.

• Salary placement will be contingent on all materials submitted for this position.

• FAQs: For additional information click here:Recruitment Frequently Asked Questions.

TIMELINES:

• For consideration please apply by Sunday May 24 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Interviews are tentatively scheduled in-person the week of June 22 2026.
• Tentative schedule is subject to change based on District need.

Notice to all Candidates for Employment:

DISTRICTRIGHTS: College of the Desert reserves the right to re-open re-advertise delay or cancel filling this position.

TheSELECTED CANDIDATEis required to complete the following prior to employment:

• Provide a Certificate of Tuberculosis Exam for initial appointment (Note: The certificate must be renewed every 4 years as a condition of continuing employment).
• Have fingerprints taken by a Live Scan computer at the candidates expense (Clearance must be received prior to the first day of employment).
• Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States(Note: We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.) A Social Security Card will be required for payroll processing.
• Participate in a new hire onboarding completing all required tasks and forms.
• May be required to complete a fitness for duty physical exam based on the job description as applicable.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 Public Law 99-603 requires that employers obtain documentation from every new employee which authorizes that individual to accept employment in this country. The Desert Community College District (DCCD) will not sponsor any VISA applications nor take over any VISA.

Employees must reside in California while employed with the Desert Community College District (DCCD).

California Public Employees Retirement SystemandCalifornia State Teachers Retirement System:

A California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) retiree may not accept employment until after the first 180 days of retirement. Anyone retired from CalPERS accepting permanent employment with the DCCD will be required to reinstate as an active CalPERS member. Please contact CalPERS for additional information regarding your retirement status.

Any active vested member of California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) who accepts employment with the DCCD to perform service that requires membership in CalPERS is eligible to elect to continue retirement system coverage under CalSTRS

Disability Accommodations:

If you require special accommodations in the application and/or evaluation process please notify Human Resources at least two (2) business days prior to the job posting close or initial screening date by either calling (760) 773 -2529 or sending an e-mail to

Attendance Requirement:

All DCCD employees are required to report to work on a regular and consistent basis as scheduled to assigned job.

Campus Crime and Safety Awareness:

Information regarding campus crime and safety awareness can be found at

Non-Discrimination Notice:

The DCCD provides access to its services classes and programs without regard to national origin immigration status religion age gender gender identity gender expression race ethnicity color medical condition military and veteran status genetic information ancestry sexual orientation marital status physical or mental disability pregnancy or because they are perceived to have one or more of the foregoing characteristics or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

California Fair Chance Act:

The DCCD will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check if the DCCD is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction provide mitigating evidence or challenge the accuracy of the background report.

Diversity Equity Inclusion and Equal Employment Opportunity:

The DCCD is committed to creating an academic and work environment that fosters diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) and equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all and ensures that students faculty staff and managers of all backgrounds feel welcome included supported and safe. Our culture of belonging openness and inclusion makes the DCCD a unique and special place for individuals of all backgrounds.

The DCCD is looking for equity and inclusion-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to the understanding of diverse academic socioeconomic cultural disability gender identity sexual orientation and ethnic backgrounds present within our community. When you join the DCCD you can expect to be part of an exciting thriving equity-focused and inclusive community that approaches higher education with the lens of social justice and collaboration among students faculty staff managers and community deciding whether to apply for a position at the DCCD you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with the DCCDs mission and goals for DEIA and EEO.

Additional Resources

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (FEHA)
  • Discrimination Laws Regarding People With Disabilities
  • Reasonable Accommodation
• Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
• AP 7100 - Commitment to Diversity
• COD - Equal Opportunity Plan
• Department of Labors Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)

THE DCCD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER