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 Gardener 3, you’ll help deliver exceptional landscape care while supporting a social enterprise that reinvests every dollar of net income into job training, financial education, and other life-changing services. Assignments include work on local and federal sites, with competitive pay and the opportunity to gain valuable experience. This is your opportunity to apply your expertise with purpose, combining professional knowledge with meaningful community impact.

Under the direction of a Crew Leader, the Maintenance Gardener 3 performs a variety of landscape maintenance tasks. This role is focused on delivering safe, efficient, and high-quality work to keep outdoor spaces well-maintained and attractive.

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

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plant flowers, shrubs, groundcovers, and other plant materials; grade, seed, and fertilize.
• Prune and shape shrubs (natural and formal); stake and tie trees and shrubs.
• Mow lawns, trim hedges, and remove weeds, debris, and other materials from job sites.
• Manually water lawns, shrubs, ground covers, and flowers; make irrigation adjustments as needed.
• Clean and prepare vehicles for service days; inspect and maintain equipment before use, lubricating as required.
• Report equipment problems to the Crew Leader or Supervisor.
• Report unsafe work conditions or practices immediately.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of landscape maintenance techniques and methods; ability to recognize plant stress.
• Proficiency in the use and inspection of pruners, hedge shears, hedge trimmers, line trimmers, mowers, blowers, and cultivators.
• Proficiency in pruning and shaping shrubs, staking/tying trees, and using gas-powered and electric maintenance equipment.
• Ability to inspect and maintain equipment, including lubrication.
• Teamwork, flexibility, and willingness to follow supervisor instructions.
• Customer service approach, integrity, and a strong work ethic.
• Some knowledge and experience with irrigation systems and installation.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

REQUIREMENTS

• Valid REAL ID driver’s license and acceptable Motor Vehicle Report.
• Due to Coast Guard site requirements, this role requires the satisfactory completion of a federal background check, including criminal history verification, which is conducted by the Coast Guard. Because of this requirement, any offer of employment is contingent upon the results of the background check.
• Ability to: bend/kneel up to 10% of the time; lift/push/pull up to 50 lbs. up to 50% of the time; stand/walk up to 90% of the time.
• Must be able to work outdoors in all seasons.
• Conversant in English; Spanish language skills a plus.
• Proficiency using a smartphone for calls, texts, and email.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• $24-26 per hour to start
• 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 opportunities.

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.