Beautification Superintendent
City of Wilmington, NC
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
City of Wilmington, NC seeks a Beautification Superintendent to lead Parks and Recreation operations, directing staff, budgets, and contracts to maintain parks, trees, and public spaces. The role blends hands-on leadership with strategic planning and long‑term asset stewardship to keep city spaces safe, functional, and attractive for residents and visitors.
You’ll oversee projects, coordinate with partners, and contribute to capital planning and maintenance strategies, including emergency
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, forestry, environmental science, natural resources management, or related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in landscape maintenance and construction.
- Knowledge of budgeting, cost control, and project estimation.
- OSHA safety standards and environmental regulations knowledge.
- Ability to plan, organize, direct and coordinate work of technical personnel.
Responsibilities
- Oversees administrative functions including budgets, policies, procedures and capital projects.
- Manages staff by planning daily tasks, establishing work plans, coaching for performance, and recommending personnel actions.
- Handles public relations and customer service through effective relationships with departments and citizens.
- Participates in professional committees and continues professional development.
- Oversees asset management systems and prepares reports for City Management and external stakeholders.
- Supports Emergency Operations Command in pre-, during, and post-events.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
The City of Wilmington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
One City. One team. One mission.
Do you thrive on leading people, managing complex operations, and making a visible impact in your community?
If so, we are looking for a Beautification Superintendent within the City’s Parks and Recreation operations, where you’ll help shape the places our community uses every day—from well-maintained parks and landscapes to trees, public spaces, and rights‑of‑way. This position combines hands‑on operational leadership with strategic planning, people management, budgeting, and long‑term asset stewardship.
You’ll work alongside the department director and City partners to prioritize daily operations, lead and develop staff, oversee projects and contracts, manage resources, and identify opportunities to improve how the City maintains its public spaces. You’ll also play an important role in planning for the future through capital projects, asset management, equipment replacement, and long‑term maintenance strategies.
This is an opportunity to make a visible impact on the community while leading a team responsible for keeping City spaces safe, functional, attractive, and ready to serve residents and visitors. From everyday operations to emergency response, your leadership will help ensure the City’s public spaces remain an asset the community can enjoy today and for years to come.
- Oversees administrative functions by carrying out policies and procedures, making policy recommendations, preparing and monitoring budgets and expenditures, preparing and monitoring standard operating procedures, acting as liaison to other department projects, maintaining records, establishing costs for maintenance, and facilitating capital projects.
- Supervises staff by planning and supervising daily tasks and activities, establishing procedures and guidelines, establishing work plans based on established maintenance standards, inspecting for compliance, managing contracted temporary workers and external contracts, evaluating assigned duties, coaching for performance improvement, and recommending personnel actions. Recommend salaries, promotions, and other status changes for department personnel.
- Completes public relations and customer service activities by responding to requests and inquiries, establishing effective working relationships with internal departments and citizens, administering rules and policies, and serving on committees.
- Participates in professional committees, conferences, workshops and classes to improve job knowledge and management skills.
- Oversees enterprise asset management system, maintains data, prepares reports for City Management, City Council and external stakeholders.
- Supports the City’s Emergency Operations Command (EOC) in pre‑, during, and post‑events.
- Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, forestry, environmental science, natural resources management, or a related field, and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in landscape maintenance and construction, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training sufficient to perform the essential functions of the position
- Valid driver’s license
- Pesticide Applicator License, or ability to obtain within 12 months
- Supervisory and/or administrative experience preferred.
- Knowledge of federal, state and local policies, procedures and codes, operational hazards and necessary precautions applicable to arboricultural practices.
- Ability to plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of technical personnel.
- Skilled in utilizing communication and interpersonal skills applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
- Understanding of landscape construction methods, grading, drainage systems, and hardscape installation
- Familiarity with equipment operation and maintenance (mowers, loaders, irrigation systems, etc.)
- Understanding of OSHA safety standards and environmental regulations
- Knowledge of budgeting, cost control, and project estimation
- Strong team leadership and supervision skills, including training and performance management
- Excellent project management skills (scheduling, resource allocation, meeting deadlines)
- Proficiency in problem-solving and decision-making in dynamic outdoor environments
- Effective communication skills for coordinating with internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Competency with asset management software and basic administrative tools (e.g., scheduling, reporting)
- Ability to lead and motivate staff in physically demanding outdoor conditions
- Ability to plan, organize, and execute large‑scale projects efficiently
- Ability to enforce safety protocols and promote a culture of safety
- Office Work: Primarily sedentary, involving prolonged sitting, computer use, telephone and office equipment operation, and standard office tasks. Requires visual acuity, hearing, and manual dexterity for reviewing documents, analyzing data, and completing administrative responsibilities.
- Field Work: Regular visits to City sites may require standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting or carrying objects up to 20 pounds occasionally. Employees may encounter uneven terrain, traffic, construction areas, and outdoor weather conditions and must use appropriate personal protective equipment.
All Work Is Performed In Compliance With Applicable State And Federal OSHA Regulations, Including Hazard Communication, Personal Protective Equipment, And Slip, Trip, And Fall Prevention.
This position is primarily office-based, utilizing standard office equipment in a climate‑controlled setting and adhering to applicable safety and ergonomic guidelines. The role also requires occasional fieldwork at City sites, with exposure to outdoor conditions, traffic, noise, and uneven terrain, and occasional standing, walking, or lifting of light materials with appropriate safety measures in place. The position functions in a fast‑paced, collaborative, and public‑facing municipal environment, involving interaction with elected officials, employees, community members, and external partners. Attendance at evening meetings and occasional after‑hours or emergency response may be required.
INCLUSION | COLLABORATION | CREATIVITY | ACCOUNTABILITY
Through forward-thinking policies and responsible stewardship, we are creating a better city every day with excellent core services and quality of life for all.
The City of Wilmington believes that employees are one of our most important resources. We offer an excellent salary and competitive benefits package to serve the needs of our employees and their families. Our benefits package includes:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance + many other insurance options
- Excellent retirement benefits, including a city provided 4.5% contribution each pay period into a 401(k) account and automatic enrollment into the North Carolina Local Government Employees’ Retirement System
- Employer‑paid health & wellness clinic
- Free on‑site city gym access
- Paid sick and vacation leave + 13 paid holidays per year
- 6‑weeks paid parental leave
- Paid volunteer & blood donation leave to give back to our community
- Flex schedule and telework availability, depending on your position
- Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives
- Tuition assistance benefits
After the closing date for this position, applications will be screened by Human Resources. Applicants who meet the minimum and/or preferred qualifications will be referred over to the hiring department.
The City offers two options for health coverage: a standard PPO plan and a High Deductible Health Plan with an associated Health Savings Account. Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following hire for employees and their eligible dependents. Both you and the City contribute to the overall cost of coverage.
Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following hire. Employees, their spouse and dependent children are eligible for coverage.
The city pays to provide coverage valued at one times your annual salary. Supplemental insurance is available for employees to purchase. Optional coverage for dependents is also available for purchase.
- NC Local Government Retirement System - All benefits eligible employees make a mandatory 6% contribution every pay period.
- Deferred Compensation – The city contributes an amount equal to 4.5% of the annual salary to a 401(k) plan regardless of employee contribution. Employees may choose to contribute additional money to the 401(k) or 457 deferred compensation plans, without a match from the City, within the IRS guidelines.
- Sick Leave - 12 days accrued each year
- Annual Leave - Accrual based on years of service and classification. Employees can earn from 10 to 24 days each year.
- Holidays - 13 paid holidays annually
- Paid Parental Leave - Six weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption or placement of a child (must run concurrently with FMLA).
- Part-Time Employees will earn paid leave benefits on a pro‑rated basis.
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
- Short & Long Term Disability
- Cancer & Critical Illness
- Accident Insurance
- Whole Life Insurance
- Credit Union membership
- Access to City Fitness Center
Note: The City of Wilmington is on a bi-weekly pay cycle. New employees should expect to receive their first paycheck approximately 4 weeks after their start date.
**This is intended to be a brief overview of the benefits offered. Please visit our website at https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/Government/Departments-Divisions/Human-Resources/Benefits for more information.**
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