Groundskeeper, Lead - San Francisco Bay Area, CA

As a member of the Facilities Division within the Site Utilities and Maintenance (SUM) Department, the Lead Groundskeeper oversees a team of 2 –5 craft workers responsible for maintaining Laboratory grounds. This role includes performing and leading semi-skilled and skilled groun ...

Job description

As a member of the Facilities Division within the Site Utilities and Maintenance (SUM) Department, the Lead Groundskeeper oversees a team of 2 –5 craft workers responsible for maintaining Laboratory grounds. This role includes performing and leading semi-skilled and skilled grounds maintenance tasks such as lawn care, trimming, pruning, planting, watering, and general landscape upkeep.

The Lead Groundskeeper provides leadership on assigned work scope and objectives, ensures safety oversight through pre-job briefings, supports staff with work order questions, and escalates hazards or significant safety concerns to Supervisors or Line Management as needed. The role requires working independently on routine assignments while maintaining strong coordination with leadership.

Responsibilities also include managing tools and equipment by receiving, storing, issuing, and tracking inventory; maintaining records; ensuring proper cleaning, maintenance, and minor repairs coordinating calibration of measuring devices; and overseeing proper disposal of surplus or obsolete equipment.

We're here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes

Why join Berkeley Lab?

We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans
• Opportunities to grow in your career - check out our Tuition Assistance Program
• A culture where you'll belong - we are invested in our teams
• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.
• Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers)
• Pet insurance

You will:

• Perform routine grounds maintenance including site clean-up, planting, cultivating, mowing, hedging, pruning, watering, weeding, debris removal, and specialized tree trimming tasks.
• Operate and maintain hand tools, power tools, heavy equipment (e.g., wood chipper, boom lifts), and government vehicles; ensure proper storage, maintenance, and safe operation.
• Under general supervision, perform Lead duties including assigning work, conducting job briefings, and guiding crew activities.
• Work independently on routine assignments while ensuring team adherence to Berkeley Lab safety practices; inspect assigned zones daily for quality and cleanliness and report issues to the Supervisor.
• Utilize Maximo and Datasplice to generate, assign, track, and update work orders.
• Coordinate schedules and communications using Google Suite; collaborate with Facilities Division teams, Security and Emergency Services (SES), Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) and external stakeholders.
• Conduct job walks with Facilities and Lab staff to define scope; monitor project progress and report delays or issues.
• Maintain and organize tools, equipment, vehicles, and workspaces; oversee safe use of power equipment for landscape maintenance.
• Ensure proper PPE use and safety compliance for self and crew.
• Support additional duties such as traffic flagging, barricades, environmental fencing installation, erosion control, and related tasks.
• Comply with LBL, DOE, and applicable federal, state, and local health, safety, environmental, and vegetation management requirements.
• Identify hazards, enforce safe work practices, minimize waste and chemical exposure, and report safety concerns to Supervisor and EHS.
• Exercise Stop Work authority when necessary and coordinate hazard mitigation before work resumes.
• Partner with stakeholders to ensure work planning meets compliance and safety standards; monitor green waste containers and coordinate disposal pickups.
• Follow Operational Safety Procedures (OSP) and maintain exposures within prescribed safety limits.
• Support continuous improvement, preventative maintenance activities, and effective work execution.
• Maintain required safety training; attend safety, technical, and SUM Craft Lead meetings.
• Promote workplace health, safety, and environmental protection; understand PUB 3000 and injury reporting requirements.
• Drive pickup trucks and passenger vehicles to and from work sites.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of 1 year of related experience in shop work, grounds maintenance work, labor, or gardening work, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must demonstrate leadership skills and ability to lead and delegate work to others.
• Demonstrated analytical skills
• Ability to plan and carry out assignments independently.
• Strong customer service and conflict management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot issues related to work performed.
• Experience working with power equipment and tools and being able to troubleshoot issues and concerns safely.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written to provide direction to staff and work with stakeholders.
• Ability to read and interpret information such as guidelines and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to use computers/laptops and applications such as Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), to review and update work orders.
• Experience with utilizing email and calendaring services.
• Ability to work independently and analyze, triage, and escalate issues to line management.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and scaffolds and work at heights as well as in confined spaces and under fluorescent lighting.
• Ability to safely work around rotating equipment.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crawl have manual dexterity in both hands to operate tools and equipment.
• Valid California Driver's license and be able to operate vans, trucks, or other large utility vehicles.

Desired skills/knowledge:

• Minimum of two (2) + years of leading/supervisory/delegating work to others experience.

Additional information:

• Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by March 20, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
• Appointment type: This is a full-time career appointment, non-exempt (hourly paid), eligible for overtime pay.
• Hours: 6am - 2:30pm
• Salary range: The expected hourly range for this position is $ $44.41 depending upon the candidate's skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience.
• Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work modality: Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information ).
• Relocation: This position is not eligible for relocation assistance.
• Work authorization: Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Union Represented: This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit:

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Berkeley Lab is a University of California employer. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.