Grounds Maintenance Supervisor

New Hanover County, North Carolina; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 51,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

New Hanover County Parks & Gardens is seeking a Grounds Maintenance Supervisor to lead our Parks and Gardens team in maintaining safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing parks and facilities in New Hanover County.

The ideal candidate will bring strong landscaping knowledge, leadership, and collaboration skills to guide maintenance, irrigation, and safety programs while coordinating with ADMIN and volunteer teams.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Horticulture, Landscape Management or related field with 3 years of progressive supervisory experience.
• Valid Driver's License and clean driving record at time of application.
• NC Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator's License.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a county-wide Parks and Gardens crew, assign and monitor work.
• Coordinate turf, pest management, and fertilization programs.
• Oversee equipment, supplies, and budget considerations.
• Train staff and maintain safety records and chemical inventory.
• Coordinate landscape and irrigation design and maintenance.
• Liaise with administration, contractors, volunteers and guest services.
• Schedule events and ensure deadlines; some after-hours/weekend work.
• Work rotating on-call and respond to emergencies.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Landscape maintenance

Irrigation systems

Pesticide application

Valid driver’s license

Education

Associate's Degree in Horticulture / Landscape Management or related field

Tools

NC Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator's License

NC Commercial Driver's License

Landscape Technician License

NC Plant Professional

Job description

New Hanover County Parks & Gardens is seeking a Grounds Maintenance Supervisorto to assist in our goal of providing safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing parks and facilities to the citizens and visitors of New Hanover County with our Parks and Gardens Department. The ideal candidate will be an experienced leader, team builder, collaborator and a respected professional with strong landscaping knowledge and experience.

The Parks & Gardens Department's mission is to maintain and operate parks and facilities that enrich the lives of the community and promote an overall healthier lifestyle. The department manages and maintains over 2,900 acres including parks & athletic facilities, historic Airlie Gardens, public school grounds and County-owned non-park facilities such as the county libraries, the Cape Fear Museum, NHC Jail and Fire Stations.

Responsibilities for this role include:

• Supervise a crew within the county-wide Parks and Gardens system where duties include assigning and monitoring work
• Coordinate turf management, pest management, and fertilization programs
• Determine and recommend equipment/supply needs
• Conduct staff training
• Maintain records on safety issues and chemical inventory
• Oversee landscape and irrigation plan design and implementation including: inspecting drawings and applying applicable regulatory provisions, transporting and operating heavy equipment, and directing installation and maintenance
• Act as a liaison with administration, contractors’ volunteers and guest services staff
• Schedule and manage event set-up and preparation to not miss any hard deadlines. Some of these events require multi-month preparation.
• Ability and flexibility to work events. These events may be after hours and on the weekend
• Ability to work mandatory rotating on call
• Performs work with regular and predictable attendance consistently meeting the scheduling needs as required by the county.
• Performs work during emergency/disaster situations.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

New Hanover County is dedicated to the recruitment and recognition of a talented and diverse workforce that is committed to public service. Our shared values of professionalism, innovation, equity, integrity, stewardship and accountability guide the way we conduct ourselves and deliver services to our customers. New Hanover County celebrates diversity in our employees’ backgrounds, beliefs, identities, and abilities, while supporting growth opportunities for all. Our talented team has a passion for providing care and services that effect change on the everyday lives of the citizens they encounter. The differences that unite us are a reflection of the community we serve. If this sounds like an organization that models the values you uphold, we invite you to join our team at New Hanover County.

Living in New Hanover County, NC:

New Hanover County offers an exceptional quality of life with its picturesque coastal location. Enjoy the stunning beaches, water activities, and a variety of recreational opportunities right at your doorstep. Immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture, indulge in diverse dining experiences, and explore historical landmarks. The county is known for its strong sense of community, excellent schools, and a thriving arts scene. With a focus on good governance and a commitment to customer service, New Hanover County provides an ideal environment for both personal and professional growth.

Hours:

7:00am - 3:30pm, Monday- Friday

Must be available to report for emergency work assignment during emergency situations.

Employment Type:

Full-time, non-exempt

Salary Information:

The target hiring range for this position is $51,111.00 - $69,000.00. The full salary range for an incumbent hired into this position is $51,111.00 - $86,889.00. Starting salary will be based on qualifications, relevant experience, internal equity, and budget. Candidates with exceptional qualifications and experience may be considered for a starting salary above the target hiring range, but not to exceed the maximum of the salary range.

Required Education and Experience:

• Associate's Degree in Horticulture, Landscape Management or related field and 3 years of progressively responsible supervisory, landscaping, irrigation, pesticide application or related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Valid Driver's License (from any state) and good driving record required at time of application.
• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License required by first date of employment with good driving record.
• NC Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator's License.
• NC Commercial Driver's License - preferred
• Landscape Technician License - preferred
• NC Plant Professional- preferred

In compliance with G.S. 153A-94.2(b), if this position requires an applicant for employment to work with children in any capacity, the county must require the applicant to undergo a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI for all offers of employment made after October 1, 2025. These checks must be performed in accordance with G.S. 143B-1209.26, which authorizes the SBI to provide fingerprint-based state and national criminal record checks to cities and counties. Additional information on how to complete this required check will be provided to the selected candidate after an offer of employment is accepted.