Grounds and Athletic Fields Supervisor

University of Southern Indiana; Evansville (IN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition waiver

Retirement plan

Paid vacation

Job summary

The University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, IN, seeks a Grounds and Athletic Fields Supervisor to oversee university grounds, athletic fields, lawn maintenance, snow removal, and related operations. You will supervise crews, coordinate seasonal programs, manage safety, and maintain records while ensuring high standards of landscape care.

Required are a high school diploma or GED, pesticide applicator certification, valid driver's license, and strong communication skills; associate degree

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with at least three years of landscape maintenance, horticulture, or turf management experience.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, methods, and materials used in horticulture, landscape design, and turf management.
• Possession or ability to obtain Indiana Certification of Pesticide Applicator.
• Must possess valid Driver's License and clean driving record.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate seasonal programs for landscape design, pest control, turf management, refuse and snow removal, and recycling operations.
• Plan, schedule, supervise crews implementing the university's landscape maintenance and turf management programs; inspect work in progress and on completion.
• Determine personnel, equipment and materials needed for work assignments.
• Order, maintain, and oversee inventory of chemicals, supplies, parts, and planting materials.
• Ensure safe use of equipment and training of personnel.

Skills

Landscape maintenance

Pesticide application

Computer literacy

Driver's license

Oral and written communication

Education

High school diploma/GED

Associate degree or technical certification (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Title: Grounds and Athletic Fields Supervisor

Division: Finance and Administration

Department: Facility Operations and Planning

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $26.20/hour

Position Summary

Provide overall coordination and supervision of the University grounds and athletic field maintenance. Areas of responsibility include lawn maintenance, landscape development and maintenance, snow and ice removal, trash and debris removal, material recycling as they pertain to the University grounds, roadways, parking, and athletic fields.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Coordinate seasonal programs for landscape design and construction, pest control, turf management, refuse and snow removal, and recycling operations.
• Plan, schedule, coordinate, assign and supervise crews implementing the University’s comprehensive landscape maintenance and turf management programs. Inspect work in progress and upon completion.
• Determine personnel, equipment and materials needed for work assignments.
• Order, maintain, and oversee appropriate inventory of chemicals, supplies, parts, and planting materials.
• Ensure safe use of equipment and materials, and work methods, techniques and procedures including the training and evaluation of personnel.
• Inspect damaged and diseased trees, shrubs, turf to determine appropriate corrective action; direct and coordinate corrective action to control plan diseases and pests.
• Assist in annual budget planning for grounds and athletic field maintenance.
• Maintain all related records including personnel, safety, equipment, and plant statistics and information.
• Supervise application of chemicals, pesticides, and herbicides as necessary.
• Coordinate and supervise snow and ice removal operations performed by University staff and contracted vendors.
• Coordinate and supervise work performed by vendors that relate to grounds maintenance and development.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• High school diploma/GED with at least three years of responsible experience in landscape maintenance, horticulture, or turf management required.
• Knowledge of microcomputers, word processing, and electronic mail software required.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, methods, and materials used in horticulture, landscape design, and turf management required.
• Possession or ability to obtain Certification of Pesticide Applicator for the state of Indiana required.
• Must possess valid Driver's License and an acceptable driving record as defined by USI's Vehicle Safety Policy (https://handbook.usi.edu/vehicle-safety-policy).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills required.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• Associate degree or technical certification in related area preferred.
• Two years supervisory experience preferred.

Functional Requirements

• Position requires frequent physical exertion and ability to work outdoors in various types of weather.
• Ongoing physical access to departments and facilities throughout the University for extended periods of time.
• Frequent independent physical manipulation of loads of up to 20 pounds for extended periods of time. Occasional independent physical manipulation of loads of up to 50 pounds. Occasional physical manipulation of loads up to 100 pounds with the assistance of a co‑worker.
• Frequent bending, stooping, twisting, reaching, crouching, climbing or otherwise positioning oneself to access, and examine, working areas of various configurations and at various heights, ranging from ground level to eight feet high. Occasional use of a ladder to reach heights from eight to twenty feet.
• Ongoing independent physical manipulation of grounds equipment and machinery—including tractor, lawnmower, leaf blower, chainsaw—when maintain grounds.
• Ongoing manipulation of small objects and hand tools for extended periods of time to perform grounds tasks.
• Frequent use of computer systems to receive and respond to emails.
• Continuous independent assessment of assigned area to evaluate for necessary action.
• Continuous independent assessment of grounds equipment performance to identify defects.
• Ongoing receipt and accurate understanding of instructions and other communications provided by supervisors.
• Effective problem solving and the presentation of a professional demeanor while meeting deadlines under demanding conditions such as multiple priorities. Ongoing presentation of a positive demeanor while interacting and cooperating with University employees, students, and visitors.
• Ongoing selective attention to assigned tasks for prolonged periods of time.

Regular Work Hours/Travel Requirements

• Standard work hours are Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 2:00 pm.
• Occasional irregular or prolonged hours may be necessary to complete assigned responsibilities.
• Position requires extended hours at anytime of the day or night when necessary to complete the responsibilities to remove snow and ice or to perform clean up work after severe weather or other emergencies.
• This position is considered essential. When the University closes due to inclement weather or another emergency, this position is required to report to work to perform snow and/or ice removal or other clean‑up work following severe weather or other emergencies.
• Travel within University and occasional travel to offsite University locations using a University vehicle is required.

About USI

The University of Southern Indiana is a public higher education institution located on a beautiful1,400-acre campus in Evansville, IN. We offer employees exceptional benefits! Benefits for thisposition include:

• Affordable medical, dental, vision, life and short term and long‑term disability insurance plans.
• Retirement plan where the University makes the total contribution equivalent to 7% of annual salary.
• Full tuition fee waiver for employees/75% for spouses and dependent children.
• Accrue up to 10 paid vacation days per fiscal year – accrual increases after 4, 7, and 11 years of service

For more information about the benefits that USI offers, please visit www.usi.edu/hr/benefits.

Search Committee Chair

If you have questions about the open position, please contact Scott Lenfers, search committee chair, at [e-mail].

Best Consideration Date

For best consideration, please submit materials by 08/19/2026.

Pre-Employment Screening

A background check will be required for employment in this position.

Authorization to Work in the United States

USI typically will not sponsor an employment‑related visa for this position.

Interview Accommodations

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please contact the Associate Director of Human Resources, Constance Hermann, at [e-mail] or [phone]. Contacting the Associate Director of Human Resources is intended for use in seeking disability‑related accommodations only. For general applicant inquiries, contact Human Resources at [e-mail] or [phone].

EEO Statement

USI is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities