Director - Grounds

Utah Valley University; Orem (UT); On-site; USD 84,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Utah Valley University seeks a Director of Grounds to lead the stewardship of landscapes, athletic fields, irrigation systems, and snow removal across all university properties on the main campus in Orem.

The role directs a skilled team, manages budgets, and guides strategic planning to support a safe, welcoming outdoor environment for students, staff, and visitors year-round.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and 3 years of progressive management-level experience, or 7 years of related experience.
• Certified Grounds Manager or ability to achieve certification within 1 year of employment.

Responsibilities

• Directs and manages annual budgets for the Grounds department and analyzes cost and productivity.
• Designs staffing and organization structure; recruits and evaluates staff; oversees training, safety, and labor relations.
• Oversees grounds management including landscape design, equipment needs, and strategic planning.
• Sets short- and long-range goals, monitors effectiveness, and implements improvements.
• Attends meetings representing Grounds department.

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Databases

Word

Job description

Director - Grounds

Salary: $84,010.00 - $98,835.00 Annually

Job Type: FT Exempt Salaried Staff

Job Number: FY2706590

Closing: 10/11/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

Location: Main Campus - Orem

Division: VP Administration/Strategic Rel

Position Announcement

Join Utah Valley University in a leadership role that helps shapeand maintain the campus environment that supports learning,recreation, and community engagement. As the Director of Grounds,you will oversee the stewardship of the university's landscapes,athletic fields, urban forestry, irrigation systems, and snowremoval operations across all university-owned properties. Thisposition offers the opportunity to make a visible and lastingimpact on the campus experience while leading complex operationsthat contribute to the university's daily success.

The successful candidate will lead a skilled team, manage strategicplanning and landscape improvement projects, and guide theallocation of personnel, equipment, and resources to supportdepartmental goals. This role is ideal for a collaborative leaderwho enjoys balancing long-term planning with hands-on operationalmanagement, developing employees, and ensuring the university'soutdoor spaces remain safe, functional, and welcoming year-round.UVU offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic higher educationenvironment where innovation, service, and professional growth arevalued.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Directs and manages annual budgets for the organization and performs periodic cost and productivity analysis. Advises the University administration on the funding needs to adequately maintain the campus grounds.
• Designs, establishes, and maintains staffing and an organizational structure to effectively accomplish the department function; recruits, employs, supervises, and evaluates departmental staff; directs the implementation of management development, skillstraining, and safety and labor relations programs.
• Oversees the overall operations of the Grounds Department. Provides leadership and direction in all aspects of administering grounds management, including landscape design, plant selection, equipment justifications, maintenance of existing equipment, strategic planning, and customer-focused programs.
• Establishes and implements short- and long-range organizational goals, objectives, strategic plans, policies, and operating procedures; monitors and evaluates programmatic and operational effectiveness, and effects changes required for improvement.
• Attends meetings representing the Grounds department both on and off campus.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications

Graduation from an accredited institution with a bachelor's degreein a related discipline plus three years of progressivemanagement-level experience; OR an equivalent combination ofeducation and/or experience related to the Summary of Dutiestotaling seven years.

For Example

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and 3 years of progressive management-level experience.
• OR an associate degree in a related field and 5 years of progressive management-level experience.
• OR one year of college coursework (approximately 30 credit hours) in a related field and 6 years of progressive management-level experience.
• OR two years of college coursework (approximately 60 credit hours) in a related field and 5 years of progressive management-level experience.
• OR three years of college coursework (approximately 90 credit hours) in a related field and 4 years of progressive management-level experience.
• OR a high school diploma or GED and 7 years of progressive management-level experience.

Certified Grounds Manager or ability to achieve certification within 1 year of employment.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of record-keeping procedures.
• Knowledge of how to create tables, charts, and graphs thatinterpret and explain needs.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, and techniques of effectivesupervision.
• Knowledge of mechanical operations and methods of repairingequipment.
• Knowledge of grounds maintenance, horticulture standards, plantlife, and landscape design.
• Knowledge of insects and pests that can damagelandscaping.
• Knowledge of in-service training and staff developmenttechniques.
• Knowledge of reading blueprints and working with designprofessionals.
• Knowledge of effective public relations techniques.
• Knowledge of effective methods of resolving immediate criticalsituations.
• Knowledge of sustainable practices in groundskeeping and grounds maintenance.

Skills

• Skills in computer software related to the position. Excel,PowerPoint, databases, Word.
• Skill in managing a large team of employees.
• Skills in effective problem-solving, decision-making, andinterpersonal communication.
• Skill in using tools needed to communicate the needs of thedepartment.
• Skilled in public speaking.

Abilities

• Ability to give clear written and verbalinstructions.
• Ability to build teams and foster collaboration.
• Ability to apply general principles effectively to specificconditions.
• Ability to direct the work of other professionals to accomplish the goals of the University.

EEO Statement

UVU employment decisions are made on the basis of an applicant'squalifications and ability to perform the job without regard torace, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation,gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), disability,veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-relatedconditions, genetic information, or other bases protected byapplicable federal, state, or local law.