Assistant Grounds Manager

Job Description:

Assistant Grounds Manager

Description

Join the vibrant community at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)!

Located just three miles from the Pacific Ocean, CSULB offers an inspiring workplace and an exceptional Southern California lifestyle. Our 322-acre campus-one of the largest in the CSU system-serves more than 42,000 students and is known for its commitment to student success, innovation, and impactful academic and research initiatives.

As a member of the CSULB community, you’ll experience a dynamic environment filled with cultural landmarks, collaborative energy, and opportunities to make a meaningful difference.

Work-life balance thrives here. Long Beach blends coastal relaxation with urban vibrancy, offering miles of beaches, year-round sunshine, a thriving arts and food scene, and convenient access to both Los Angeles and Orange County. It’s an ideal place to grow your career while enjoying everything Southern California has to offer.

Join the California State University (CSU) and explore career opportunities that advance student success and strengthen California’s future-offering competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and professional growth.

Job Summary

The duties of the Assistant Grounds Manager are to assist the department Manager with facilitating departmental operations. Duties include establishing team development with the leads and specialists providing support and direction in daily schedules, enforcing university policies and procedures and completing staff evaluations.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Manager in field supervision of Lead Grounds workers and their crews, Irrigation Specialists, Pest Control Specialist, Tree trimmer and Equipment Operators. Implementing and coordinating crew schedules and maximizing labor productivity. Provide direct supervision to employees in the Waste and Recycling program.
• Assist in the design and quality control of campus landscape through the review and coordination of landscape construction drawings for minor and major capital projects and inspection of individual grounds sections with the goal of standardizing more sustainable maintenance methods and consistency of maintenance standards throughout campus.
• Assist considerable the Manager experience with with enforcement progressive of policies, discipline procedures; procedures, incumbent grievances must processes have and performing evaluations related to Grounds personnel.
• Assist in oversight of grounds department equipment. Includes oversight of Employees vehicle weekly inspections and monitoring of the tracking report and making sure vehicles and equipment are properly cleaned and maintained.
• Assist in coordinating oversight of the Grounds Rainmaster Central irrigation system with emphasis on efficient programming with the irrigation specialist. Coordinate the Arbro Pro GPS tree inventory system with the development of campus asset collection of campus utilities.

Department

Beach Building Services

Department Description (Optional)

Beach Building Services (BBS) at California State University Long Beach is dedicated to supporting the university by ensuring the safe operation, maintenance, and development of the campus. As a large, thriving department, BBS provides facilities based comprehensive support to the campus in the areas of academics, activities and event services. These facilities contribute to a well-rounded and enriching campus experience for students, faculty and staff. BBS is proud to contribute to the dynamic and transformative educational and social events and programs that make CSU Long Beach one of the most sought-after institutions and a leader among the CSU campuses.

Departments within BBS:

• Environmental Health and Safety
• Energy and Utilities
• Facilities Operations (Service Response, Fiscal Operations, Payroll/Personnel, IT Services)
• Planning and Sustainability
• Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (Engineering, Fire Alarm, Electrical and Plumbing Shops)
• Building Trades (Lock, Sign, Carpentry, Paint and Auto Shops)
• Grounds and Landscaping Services
• Custodial Services
• Design and Construction Services

BBS is composed of talented and skilled employees and dedicated administrators who work hard and collaborate to achieve our mission to “Build a Better Campus Every day.”

Duration of Appointment

This is a regular, at-will position.

Classification

Administrator I

Compensation

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources.

• CSU MPP Compensation Summary Range: The MPP Comp Summary Range for this position is $6,907 - $10,361 per month.

Benefits

At California State University (CSU), we prioritize the health, growth, and success of our employees. Our benefits program reflects our commitment to your overall well-being.

To be eligible for full benefits, employees must be appointed at least half-time (.50 FTE) with an appointment lasting more than six months and one day. Benefits eligibility and offerings may vary based on appointment type, classification, and applicable collective bargaining agreement. Eligible employees may have access to a comprehensive benefits package that can include:

• Paid Time Off: Up to 24 vacation days per year (based on employee group and/or length of service), 14 paid holidays, and 12 sick days annually with unlimited accrual.
• Health Coverage: A variety of medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Retirement Plans: Participation in the CalPERS defined benefit plan, along with voluntary savings options such as 403(b), 401(k), and 457 plans.
• Educational Benefits: Tuition fee waiver programs for eligible employees; dependent eligibility varies by employee group and bargaining unit.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.
• Additional Benefits: Wellness programs, professional development opportunities, and insurance options including life, disability, and pet insurance.

Candidates are encouraged to review the appropriate CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details specific to their position. Additionally, the CSU Total Compensation Calculator is available to help prospective employees understand the full value of the CSU benefits package and how it complements base salary.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The individual in this position will possess strong leadership, administrative, and operational expertise to support the Grounds Manager in overseeing daily grounds maintenance, irrigation, landscaping, and waste and recycling operations. This individual will assist with employee supervision, performance management, staff training, work assignments, and the implementation of departmental policies and procedures. They will have experience monitoring labor, productivity, work orders, and project costs through computerized management systems, while supporting campus asset management initiatives, including tree inventory, irrigation infrastructure mapping, and landscape maintenance programs. The ideal candidate will oversee irrigation operations with a focus on water conservation, supervise specialized staff, review cost and productivity reports, assist with safety programs and accident reporting, and participate in landscape planning, construction plan reviews, and campus master plan implementation. Additionally, they will manage the campus waste and recycling program by coordinating daily operations, tracking data and revenues, reconciling hauling invoices, preparing regulatory reports, conducting outreach efforts, supporting sustainability initiatives, and monitoring program budgets. The successful candidate will also provide fiscal support through project cost analysis, budget monitoring, and spreadsheet development, while serving as a liaison with campus departments, vendors, and Facilities Management stakeholders to coordinate special events, construction projects, maintenance activities, and departmental operational needs.

Ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community. Ability to follow all university policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to safety, civility, information security, and non-discrimination policies and procedures. Ability to contribute to a positive university experience for each and every student and assist in achieving the university's commitment to a "vision of excellence."

Education and Experience

• Bachelors Degree in Turfgrass Science and Management, Associate Degree in Science in Turfgrass Science and Management, Horticulture, Facilities Management, Public Administration, Business, or a related field or equivalent.

• Must have five years management experience in grounds maintenance, nursery, or landscape work in a large institutional setting.

• Certificate in Turfgrass Management experience preferred.

• Proficient experience in office software applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.

Licenses / Certificates

• Appropriate License for Pest control and landscape maintenance or acquire within one year of hire.

• Certified Arborist or acquire certificate, and Qualified Applicators license completion within one year of hire.

• Valid California driver's license required. Employees who are required to operate motorized vehicles and/or use their personal vehicle more than once a month on University business are required to take a mandatory Defensive Driving course and enroll in the DMV Employee Pull Notice (EPN) Program.

Application Procedures

Click “Apply Now” to complete the CSULB Online Employment Application.

Please fill out the application completely. It is important that all sections of the online application are completed fully and accurately. Be sure to include all relevant education and experience. Your application will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

Physical Summary

Light work - Job involves some lifting of medium weight objects (10-20 pounds) and/or 10% - 20% of the job involves standing or walking.

Additional Information

CSULB is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e. H-1B Visas).

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSULB will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Due to the nature of this position, current CSULB employees are subject to a criminal record check unless they have successfully completed a criminal background check through CSULB within the past 12 months.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

Equal Employment Statement

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, CSULB provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected status. CSULB complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

California State University Long Beach expects respectful, professional behavior from its employees in all situations. Acts of harassment or abusive conduct are prohibited. Demonstrated appropriate professional behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate abusive conduct is expected of all employees.

Accommodations

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact [email protected] .

Out of State Employment Policy

California State University, Long Beach, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California.

As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Advertised: Aug 13 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Aug 27 2026 Pacific Daylight Time