Wonderful College Prep Academy is a charter network in California's Central Valley committed to providing a world-class education for all students. The Academy's mission is to graduate students prepared to earn a college degree and to put them on a promising career path for life. We believe this begins with a nurturing, engaging, community-centered school environment where students develop a strong and well-rounded academic foundation. Ultimately, this will prepare generations of leaders in the Central Valley who are critical thinkers and life-long learners.

The Academy's first school opened in Delano in 2009, serving students from across the Central Valley in grades 6-12. In 2016, we moved to our new, state-of-the-art college prep campus in Delano, and in the Fall of 2017, added an elementary school in Delano and opened a second charter school in Lost Hills. In Delano, we serve over 1,800 students in grades TK-12, while in Lost Hills, we serve over 400 students in grades TK-12. 

Our students have access to technology in all grades, from hands-on STEM learning for younger students in a fully equipped "maker's space" to school-provided laptops for older students. The Academy aims to provide every opportunity for our students that often is not found in public or charter schools, including the ability to graduate from high school with a free Associate Degree. Through a unique partnership with Bakersfield College, our students enroll in college classes starting in 9th grade and complete all their A-G requirements, in addition to their AS Degree requirements over the course of four years. In addition, all graduates are eligible to earn a four-year renewable college scholarship through the generous support of Lynda and Stewart Resnick.

We seek thoughtful, inclusive, skilled communicators, and creative problem-solvers who value continuous learning and who are excited to serve our students and families. Now is the time to join a team making enduring change within the Central Valley of California and beyond! 

Click here to learn more about the Wonderful Company's other great philanthropic partnerships.

The role: The Groundskeeper worker, under supervision of the Chief Facilities Officer, the Groundskeeper Worker performs a variety of landscape and maintenance work on 49-acre grounds and other landscaped areas; performs tree maintenance and removal work including pruning; weed abatement; picks up litter, garbage, and debris from assigned areas; installs, repairs, and maintains irrigation systems for landscaped areas; and maintains and operates a variety of hand and power tools and equipment

Essential Job Functions:

Candidates may be required to perform additional duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. Standardized groundskeeping duties may be performed without direct supervision.

• Perform various ground maintenance functions; mows, trims, edges, fertilizes, aerates, and waters lawns, medians, and other easement areas; weed, prune, mulch, feed, fertilize, and irrigate plants, shrubs, trees, and ground cover.
• Prepare soil for planting; seed and re-sod lawn areas; plant, stake, tie, and fertilize a variety of trees, transplant seedlings, shrubs, and trees as necessary
• Perform grounds maintenance chemical application duties; spray pesticides and herbicides; ensure proper application of all materials; ensure equipment is operating properly.
• Maintain, trim, prune, and remove trees; chip brush; remove diseased, standing, or fallen trees.
• Perform a variety of semi-skilled and skilled work in the installation, repair, and maintenance of irrigation systems for landscaped areas, including valves and electronic timing devices; adjust, repair, and replace timing mechanisms: inspecting and servicing irrigation systems to ensure proper operation; digging trenches and ditches; perform semi-skilled electrical maintenance and repairs.
• Clean and maintain landscaped areas, athletic fields, paved areas, paths, walkways, playgrounds, and stairways; pick up litter, garbage, and debris from landscaped areas; trap and dispose of rodents, as necessary.
• Clean and maintain storm drains, drainage ditches, creeks, and culverts including removing debris and trash.
• Conduct traffic control when working in traffic areas; install street barricades and cones prior to the performance of maintenance or repair activities.
• Operate a variety of hand and power tools, such as hand mowers, edgers, blowers, trimmers, and similar tools, weed eaters, chainsaws, rakes, shovels, hoes, brooms, and other maintenance tools.
• Operate a variety of light-duty motorized equipment in the maintenance of landscaped areas; drive pickup trucks, and other motorized vehicles and equipment; load and unload trucks of refuse, trimmings, sand, rock, and other materials. Inspect assigned areas; respond to emergencies and public calls as necessary; correct or report safety hazards.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports related to work performed.
• Read maps and interpret plans, specifications, and maintenance manuals. Observe safe work methods and safety precautions related to all work sites.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• High School diploma.
• Two years of experience in landscape maintenance and proficiency in variety of skills and tasks.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Operations, services, and activities of a landscape maintenance program.
• Methods and techniques of planting, transplanting, cultivating, pruning, and maintaining a variety of lawns, ground covers, plants, shrubs, hedges, and trees.
• Principles and practices of arboriculture, including species identification, planting, pruning, maintenance methods, and pesticide application.
• Methods and equipment used in weed, pest, and insect control and treating plant diseases.
• Principles and practices used in the installation, maintenance, and repair of irrigation systems.
• Operation and maintenance of a wide variety of commonly used hand and power landscaping tools and equipment.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• Perform a variety of landscape and maintenance work on grounds and other landscaped areas.
• Recognize common plants, plant diseases, and insect pests.
• Use and operate vehicles and equipment, hand tools, and power tools and equipment required for the work in a safe and efficient manner.
• Perform a variety of tasks and manual labor for extended periods of time and in unfavorable weather      conditions.
• Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures including safety around work areas in high traffic.
• Take coaching, instruction, and feedback with a cooperative and positive attitude.
• Set up a safe work site including cones, signs, and directing traffic.
• Maintain records including time, material, and equipment use records.
• Exercise independent judgment and initiative without close supervision.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including the ability to interact effectively and courteously with the public, coworkers, and vendors.
• Proven ability to collaborate and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to be flexible, resilient, and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Proven written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong strategic planning and organization skills.

Working Conditions:

• Schedule: Work schedule varies could be early and late depending on seasonality. May include weekends.
•  Environment: Outdoor environment; fast paced work, constant interruptions; cool, warm and other varied weather exposure.
• Physical requirements: Hearing and speaking to exchange information, make presentations and communicate over the telephone; seeing to read, prepare, and proofread documents and view computer monitors; sitting or standing for extended periods of time; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment; kneeling, bending at the waist, and reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally, to retrieve and store files and supplies; lifting light objects; ability to go to sites apart from primary office to conduct business.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a California Non-commercial Class C Driver’s License.
• Frequently stand/walk, twist/bend/stoop/squat, grasp forcefully, shovel/rake/sweep, operate hand and/or foot controls, and/or lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 10-40 pounds and 100 pounds with assistance.
•  Occasionally perform seated work, kneel/crawl, climb (ladders, scaffolds, or other) reach/work above shoulders, perform work which requires light/fine grasping.
• Required to wear an appropriate issued uniform.
• Ability to work safely in all types of outside weather conditions
• May be required to work overtime, evenings, and weekends.
• Required to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). 
• May be exposed to noise greater than 80db TWA 
• May be exposed to allergens, pollens, dust and fertilizers, and pesticides

Pay: $22.00/Hour

Compensation:

• Wonderful College Prep Academy offers highly competitive compensation, commensurate with experience, which includes generous performance bonuses.
• Full-time staff benefits include medical coverage, dental, vision, and life insurance at no cost for the employee. We also offer an optional 403b, with company match, as a supplement to STRS retirement pension. In addition, employees have free access to the Wonderful Wellness Center and gym.

Quality of Life in the Central Valley:

Framed by the Sierra Nevada to the east and the Coast Ranges to the west, California's Central Valley is one of the world's most productive agricultural regions and the base of The Wonderful Company's agricultural operations. This vast area enjoys a moderate climate and offers residents a high quality of life, low cost of living, and a host of diverse cultural and recreational activities. From wine tasting and hiking to rafting, fishing, skiing, and surfing -- all within a two-hour drive -- the family-friendly Central Valley has much to offer.

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