Landscape Technician 1

Rubicon Landscape is more than a landscaping company—we're a mission-driven division of Rubicon Programs, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming East Bay communities. As a Landscape Technician I, you'll help deliver exceptional landscape services while supporting a social enterprise that reinvests our proceeds into job training, financial education, and other life-changing services. This is your opportunity to build a rewarding career while making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.

Position Type: Full time

Location: (Livermore, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Treasure Island) 

Landguage: Bilingual Spanish 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Position Summary

The Landscape Technician I performs a variety of landscape installation, enhancement, irrigation, and maintenance services under the direction of a Crew Lead or Supervisor. This entry-level to developing role supports landscape construction projects, special improvement work, and routine landscape maintenance while learning industry best practices, equipment operation, and safe work procedures.

Landscape Technician I employees are expected to work safely, demonstrate reliability, and contribute to high-quality workmanship while developing the skills necessary to advance within the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Landscape Installation & Enhancement

• Install trees, shrubs, groundcover, annuals, and other plant materials according to project plans and specifications.
• Prepare planting areas through basic grading, soil amendment, excavation, and finish work.
• Install sod, seed, mulch, decorative rock, edging, and other landscape materials.
• Assist with site improvements, including basic grading, compacting, leveling, and preparation of decomposed granite pathways and seating areas.
• Basic knowledge of retaining walls, drainage, and related features.
• Assist with the removal of existing landscape materials, irrigation components, concrete, and debris as directed
• Assist with project mobilization, site preparation, material staging, and final site cleanup.

Irrigation

• Assist with the installation, modification, and testing of irrigation systems, including trenching and installing pipe, sprinkler heads, and drip systems according to specifications.
• Identify and report irrigation deficiencies or water waste

Landscape Maintenance

• Perform mowing, edging, trimming, pruning, blowing, weed management, and litter removal.
• Monitor plant health and report pests, diseases, irrigation issues, or safety hazards.
• Apply mulch and other landscape materials as directed.
• Maintain clean, professional, and safe job sites.

Equipment & Safety

• Safely operate hand tools and power equipment including string trimmers, hedge trimmers, backpack blowers, chainsaws (when qualified), compact equipment, and other landscape tools.
• Conduct daily equipment inspections and report maintenance needs.
• Follow company safety policies, OSHA requirements, and all client-specific safety procedures.
• Properly use required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Assist with loading, unloading, securing, and transporting equipment and materials.

Teamwork & Customer Service

• Follow directions from Crew Leads and Supervisors.
• Work cooperatively with team members to complete projects efficiently.
• Maintain professional conduct when interacting with clients, vendors, and the public.
• Support Rubicon's mission by treating coworkers, participants, and customers with dignity and respect.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• One+ year of landscape, construction, maintenance, or related outdoor labor experience preferred.
• Willingness to learn commercial landscape installation and maintenance practices.
• Ability to safely use basic landscape tools and equipment.
• This position may require driving vehicles and trailers; therefore, proof of a valid and current real ID driver's license and an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report are required.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Basic understanding of landscape installation and maintenance practices.
• Ability to perform physically demanding outdoor work in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Strong work ethic and reliability.
• Basic knowledge of safe equipment operation.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks while contributing to a team environment.
• Commitment to quality workmanship and continuous improvement.
• Basic technology skills, or willingness to learn, for timekeeping, communication, project tracking, and other job-related tasks.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds; occasionally up to 75 pounds with assistance.
• Walk, stand, bend, kneel, squat, climb, and perform repetitive motions throughout the workday.
• Operate hand tools and power equipment safely.
• Work outdoors in varying temperatures, weather conditions, dust, noise, and uneven terrain.

Working Conditions

• Outdoor work year-round.
• Exposure to varying weather conditions.
• Regular use of power equipment and machinery.
• Travel between multiple job sites as assigned.
• Overtime, weekend, or emergency work may occasionally be required.

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay Range: $24.00 - $28.00
• Medical, Dental and Vision health plans. Kaiser and Sutter Health options.
• 3 weeks paid vacation and sick leave, 13 paid holidays.
• 4 days paid restorative holiday between Christmas and New Years.
• Employer sponsored retirement plan.
• A safety-focused, professional workplace.  
• Year-round, full-time position.
• Competitive hourly pay, including federal prevailing wage for some assignments.
• Company uniform with free laundering and mending.
• Advancement opportunitie

E-Verify

• Rubicon uses E-Verify to validate the eligibility of our new employees to work legally in the United States.

About Rubicon

An $18M non-profit Rubicon, provides direct services at eight locations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties and operates a growing commercial landscape social enterprise program that is a leader in sustainable practices. Rubicon transforms East Bay communities by equipping people to break the cycle of poverty. Recognized as a national leader in workforce development, Rubicon provides individualized one-on-one career advising, job search support, financial education, wellness and legal services, to very low-income people who face significant barriers to achieving economic mobility.

Rubicon is a 2022 Great Place to Work, on a journey towards becoming a high-road employer and an anti-racist organization. We are committed to systems change and advocacy through efforts like expanding and deepening Employee Resource Groups; the launch of an internal Racial Justice Task Force; and implementation of talent and culture supports that acknowledge and facilitate healing from the direct and indirect effects of racial trauma.

Rubicon actively recruits staff members with a diversity of culture, thought, and lived experiences who are not only highly skilled, but who consistently demonstrate a commitment to our vision of an East Bay without poverty and are passionate about this work.

Rubicon is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and values the diversity of culture, thought and lived experiences. We seek talented, qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, conviction history, uniform service membership/veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical conditions, genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression regardless of physical gender, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. 

Rubicon uses E- Verify to validate the eligibility of our new employees to work legally in the United States.