Facility Grounds Manager

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Warrensburg (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. seeks a Facilities Grounds Manager to lead the Grounds, Landscaping, and Garage operations for a university campus. You will oversee daily maintenance, staff, and contractors to deliver safe, aesthetically pleasing grounds and athletic fields.

Responsibilities include budgeting, scheduling, safety, and strategic planning for long-term operations, with a focus on quality and efficiency. Prior experience with CMMS and campus environments is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, Agriculture, Turf Management, Facility Planning or related field.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and monitor all activities of Landscaping, Grounds, and Garage departments to ensure high-quality maintenance.
• Inspect grounds daily to ensure proper mowing, seeding, mulching, watering, and safety.
• Lead snow and ice management and vehicle fleet maintenance for campus operations.
• Manage budgets, staff, and contractors; communicate with stakeholders to minimize disruption.
• Develop and enforce safety policies and preventive maintenance programs.

Skills

Leadership

Staffing

Grounds maintenance

Snow removal

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture / Horticulture / Agriculture / Turf Management / Facility Planning

Tools

CMMS

Job description

Description

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Capital Planning and Facilities, this position is responsible for day‑to‑day maintenance by planning, organizing, leading, and controlling all activities of the Facility Grounds and Landscaping Departments, which may include technicians, lead workers, supervisors, and contractors, to ensure the highest standards of campus landscaping, grounds maintenance, and snow removal activities for all campus grounds and athletic fields. This position is responsible for leading efforts to ensure that UCM's students, faculty, staff, and visitors experience an aesthetically pleasing and safe environment that conveys UCM's quality culture. This position also manages garage maintenance operations, including the maintenance of the university’s vehicle fleet (e.g., small and heavy equipment).

Examples of Duties

• Campus Landscaping and Grounds Operations Management and Oversight (65%)
• Plans, directs, and monitors all activities of the Landscaping, Grounds, and Garage departments. This includes scheduling staff to provide timely and sufficient coverage for the campus, reviewing and approving time, inspecting employee work to ensure it meets requirements, conducting performance appraisals, and disciplining employees in accordance with University policies.
• Inspects lawns, decorative areas, sidewalks, parking lots, shops, etc, on a daily basis to ensure the grounds are properly mowed, seeded, mulched, watered, free of brush, trash, and snow.
• Establishes and maintains a high-quality standard of maintenance operations for the main campus, residential housing, athletic fields, Selmo Park, and the Max B. Swisher Airport and other properties as designated.
• Establishes and monitors expectations, goals, and standards for Grounds and Facilities Garage employees, maintenance employees, and contractors to ensure activities are performed in a high‑quality and efficient manner.
• Ensures a safe environment for both the Landscaping, Grounds Maintenance, and Facilities Garage employees executing their assigned duties and for campus students and staff in the vicinity of the duties being performed.
• Determine schedules and methods for landscaping and grounds maintenance to determine the appropriate actions for special event preparation according to the event type.
• Improves the appearance of grounds by selecting plant and landscape designs and materials, including estimating costs, preparing plans and specifications for bidding and implementation.
• Plans for daily and long‑term operations of the landscaping and ground maintenance department.
• Procures landscaping and grounds management supplies and equipment by evaluating new plants, equipment, and techniques.
• Maintains equipment inventories and landscaping supplies.
• Establishes and maintains operations, repair, and installation policies and procedures.
• Identifies and plans for repairing broken concrete/sidewalk, signs, trip hazards, asphalt repairs, curb/gutter, irrigation, and drainage issues.
• Monitors and verifies the time and material tracking of contracted work.
• Keeps current on new developments in landscaping, grounds maintenance, and technology.
• Interviews and recommends hires; trains employees.
• Provides input to senior management on staffing needs, training, workflows, and operational efficiencies.
• Participates in staff meetings, attends training seminars, and assists with strategic goal setting.

Preventive Maintenance Oversight and Safety (20%)

• Plans, schedules, and provides oversight of a preventive maintenance program including renewing soil, seasonal beds, scheduled inspections, and maintenance, and repair of electrical, plumbing, and mechanical equipment, and other building systems and components to ensure reliability and longevity.
• Plans, schedules, and oversees a preventive maintenance program for vehicles and equipment to ensure reliability and longevity.
• Evaluates and establishes inspections on a periodic and recurring basis (e.g., monthly, quarterly, etc.)
• Assure that work conditions are safe and conducive to efficient operations.
• Ensures inclement weather safety policies are established and enforced as assigned.
• Creates and maintains snow management policies and equipment management.
• Leads snow and ice preparation and removal, including the inspection of all sidewalks, parking lots, streets, etc.
• Maintains university assets necessary to comply with local, state, and federal regulations.

Strategic Support and Collaboration (10%)

• Proactively communicates with campus constituents to ensure work is properly coordinated to minimize disruption. This includes providing advanced notice of pending work and timely updates.
• Works with the Procurement Office to establish and maintain vendor contracts.
• Works with the Intercollegiate Athletics department to establish and maintain any regulations involving facilities.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to develop mutually acceptable solutions to issues.
• Supports senior management as required.

Budget Management (5%)

• Manage the departmental budgets by continuously monitoring expenditures in all categories to ensure that the budget is not exceeded and that funds are effectively utilized.

This position is accountable for the work described within this job description. However, the intent of the job description is to be representative of the duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position; it is not intended to be exhaustive. The individual filling the position may be required to perform other duties incidental to the work described above or as otherwise directed by the University.

Typical Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, Agriculture, Turf Management, Facility Planning or Management, or related field.

Education may be substituted for experience or experience may be substituted for education based on the following: AA = 2 years experience; BA/BS = 4 years experience; MA/MS = 6 years experience.

Experience:

Minimum five (5) years of progressive experience as a manager in a commercial or industrial setting, directing large‑scale facility maintenance efforts and activities. This demonstrated experience includes strong technical knowledge of landscaping and grounds management, including design, construction, and maintenance required.

Minimum three (3) years supervisory experience overseeing teams or contractors, such as planning, scheduling, and field directing maintenance personnel and resources required.

Experience utilizing a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and experience working in a campus environment are preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

Knowledge:

Expert knowledge of native landscape plants, turf management, ornamental horticulture, plant germination, soil and planting seasons, facilities planning, management, project and personnel management, capital planning principles and practices, and financial management. Mechanical knowledge in troubleshooting grounds equipment. Knowledge of general union guidelines and operating procedures.

Skills:

Demonstrated ability to lead through influence and collaborate across multiple stakeholder groups. Must have excellent administrative and supervisory skills and strong written and oral communication skills, including executive‑level briefings and presentations.

Abilities:

Ability to operate mowers and other grounds‑related equipment; respond effectively to inquiries or complaints from internal/external customers, regulatory agencies, and community partners. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical publications, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to negotiate contract terms and manage vendor performance. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret technical instructions. Ability to manage multiple priorities and make sound decisions amid ambiguity. Proficiency with standard office software and equipment; ability to leverage data to manage performance.

Licenses and Certifications

Licensure (e.g., Certified Turf Professional) in the grounds and landscaping field is preferred; the Pesticide Applicators License must be obtained within six months of employment.

A valid Class B commercial driver's license (CDL) must be maintained throughout employment. New hires without a current CDL must obtain it within 12 months of hire.

Supervisory and Budget Responsibilities

Up to 2 direct – Regular part‑time or full‑time employees

Up to 100 indirect – Regular part‑time or full‑time employees, student employees, and temporary employees.

Manages departmental budget and has sign‑off authority.

Supplemental Information

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

Maybe exposed to fumes, chemicals, and other hazardous materials.

Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.

May work at heights using ladders, scaffolding, or mechanical lifts.

Must have the ability to respond to emergencies and work evenings/weekends to support critical campus needs.

This position serves as Manager on Duty on a rotating basis for after‑hours university service requests.