Grounds Manager

Harvey Mudd College; Claremont (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvey Mudd College seeks a Grounds Manager to lead all campus groundskeeping operations, supervise staff, and ensure safety and policy compliance.

The role directs daily, periodic, annual, and special grounds projects, oversees budgets, trains staff, coordinates with vendors, and maintains irrigation systems. On-call duties are required to support campus operations.

Qualifications

• Education: high school graduation or equivalent, plus additional courses or bachelor’s degree-equivalent.
• Experience: minimum four years in groundskeeping management with supervisory experience.
• Licenses: valid California Driver’s License and acceptable DMV record.

Responsibilities

• Supervise groundskeeping staff and evaluate performance.
• Develop and manage staff training programs and safety compliance.
• Prepare and manage budgets for groundskeeping functions.
• Coordinate with vendors/contractors and schedule access to facilities.
• Maintain irrigation systems and oversee equipment purchases.
• On-call duties and timely responses to campus needs.

Skills

Leadership & supervision

Training & development

Budgeting

Safety compliance

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent)

Tools

Irrigation control platforms (Rain Bird)

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Grounds Manager

Job Description:

Job Title: Grounds Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Grounds Manager serves as a key leader within the Facilities and Maintenance Department, and provides management assistance to the Assistant Vice President for Facilities and Maintenance by overseeing all aspects of groundskeeping operations across campus; including academic, administrative and residential areas. This position is responsible for the direct supervision of all Grounds staff including Lead Groundskeeper(s), Groundskeepers and temporary/on-call Groundskeepers ensuring the effective execution of daily, periodic, annual and special grounds assignments and projects.

The Grounds Manager evaluates staff performance and recommends appropriate personnel actions, including recognition, corrective action compensation changes, etc. while also developing and implementing grounds staff training and development programs. This role is expected to model and foster a culture of integrity, accountability and service excellence that reflects the College’s commitment to a high standard of care. The Grounds Manager ensures full compliance with all institutional policies, government regulations and safety guidelines.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The Grounds Manager is expected to be a leader who models and fosters a culture of integrity, accountability, and service excellence.
• Provide direct supervision and leadership to a team of groundskeeping staff, including provision of initial, periodic and/or annual performance evaluations. Identify improvement plans and follow-up to ensure implementation and outcome. In accordance with all policies, recommend personnel actions, and assist in resolving performance issues. Implement disciplinary actions.
• Conduct grounds-surveys to develop and assign daily, rotating, periodic and annual groundskeeping schedules for Lead Groundskeeper(s) to implement with Groundskeeping staff. Adjust schedules as needed. Identify all services to be provided, and time and frequency allocation.
• Prepare, justify and execute budgets relevant to groundskeeping functions and needs throughout campus.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive Grounds staff training program encompassing, safety compliance, institutional policies and procedures, and grounds-specific technical skills.
• Maintain accurate training logs and incorporate training outcomes into staff performance evaluations Screen applications, interview candidates and recommend candidates for hire.
• Inspect areas assigned to staff and provide assistance/guidance, as required to Groundskeeper(s).
• Address concerns of students, faculty, staff and visitors regarding provision of services in a professional and service centered manner.
• Supervise or maintain inventory control. Evaluate need and purchase supplies and equipment within the supply budget.
• Coordinate work with outside vendors or contractors. May schedule and provide access to facilities.
• Oversee the maintenance, repair of the campus irrigation system.
• Carry communication/paging device for immediate communication needs.
• Ensure compliance by staff with safety rules and regulations, proper use of personal safety equipment, power tools and chemical compounds.
• Research new and improved groundskeeping methods and procedures. Prepare change proposals and implement those approved.
• Initiate, maintain and implement improvement in campus conservation efforts concerning water consumption and outdoor lighting and supervise composting and mulching activities, providing training and administration of green-waste on campus. May periodically conduct waste surveys and staff training.
• Participate in utility conservation efforts. Make recommendations for improvement.
• May participate in selection of outdoor furniture, lighting fixtures and waste containers.
• Document and promptly report all workplace incidents, safety concerns, near-misses and operational issues in accordance with College policy
• Investigates on campus vehicle accidents and submits results to Assistant Vice President for Facilities and Maintenance.
• Maintain college owned vehicles and recommend replacement.
• Coordinate the pressure washing of outdoor spaces as needed or required.
• This position will require on-call duties
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Education: Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school plus numerous additional courses (equivalent to an extensive apprenticeship or bachelor’s degree); or that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities of the position.
• Experience: Minimum of four years paid employment experience in Groundskeeping Management/in positions of increasing responsibility. Substantial supervisory experience is required.
• Licenses: Requires a valid California Driver’s License and a driving record, as maintained by the DMV, that is acceptable to the College’s insurance carrier.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Individual must possess the knowledge, skills and ability to be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the position, or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Knowledge of methods, materials, chemicals and equipment used in maintaining turf, athletic fields, shrubs, plants, fountains, ponds, irrigation systems (installation, repairs, and clock settings).
• Knowledge of the timing, methods and procedures to prune shrubs and trees and apply landscape chemicals. Requires knowledge of turf maintenance.
• Knowledge of safe work principles and practices.
• Ability to read, speak, write and follow oral and written instructions in English.
• Ability to perform moderately complex arithmetic computations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to effectively communicate and supervise in a culturally diverse environment.
• Knowledge of planning, conducting and evaluating employee training, recognition and performance evaluation programs.
• Ability to train and orient new employees and provide ongoing training for incumbent staff.
• Ability to safely lift fifty pounds, unassisted, to waist level.
• Ability to properly use fire extinguishers.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb, push, pull, stoop, twist, grasp hand tools, climb ladders up to 20 feet with assistance and ten feet unassisted; ability to work on feet for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to work productively with minimal supervisor consultation, make sound decisions and effectively prioritized multiple tasks in a logical progression.
• Currently have and maintain a driving record acceptable to the College’s insurance carrier.
• Must be able and willing to work occasional overtime including weekends, evenings or holidays as needed.
• Knowledge of native, climate appropriate, and drought tolerant landscaping
• Proficient in a variety of irrigation control platforms, including Rain Bird systems.

Remote Work Eligibility:

Category A:

All staff positions, regardless of remote work eligibility, require an initial 30-calendar-day on-campus work period. Based on an evaluation by the Area Leadership Group (supervisor, area leader and area Cabinet member) and HR, this position is classified as Category A as defined in the College’s Remote Work Policy, without occasional ad-hoc remote work flexibility. This position is essential to on-campus operations and requires the person in this role to work exclusively on campus. Additionally, remote work is subject to the College’s remote work policy. The College reserves the right to revoke or modify a remote work arrangement for any staff, at any time and for any reason as articulated in the College’s remote work policy.

Standard working hours for this position will generally be from 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, though these hours may vary depending on departmental and College needs.

All remote work arrangements, including ad-hoc remote work, must be approved by the direct supervisor, area Cabinet member and Human Resources, and are subject to periodic review based on institutional needs. These arrangements are neither guaranteed nor considered entitlements and may change due to factors such as employee performance, evolving business needs, or changes to the position.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the staff member is regularly required to sit; stand, use hands and fingers and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The individual must regularly lift and/or carry up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Hours:

Regular hours are 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. However, days and hours may vary due to the needs of the department or the College.

Classification:

This is an exempt, full-time, regular, benefits eligible position.

Other:

Grooming and Appearance: The Claremont Colleges seek to maintain a neat and professional image at all times. A uniform is optional.

Reports To:

This position reports to the Assistant Vice President for Facilities and Maintenance

Salary:

The anticipated starting salary range is $75,000-$85,000 annually. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Additional Information:

This job description defines the essential job duties of the position. Harvey Mudd College expects that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of the job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others. It may also include marginal functions, generally defined within Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Regular employment at the College is for no specified period; conditions and status of employment (hours, pay, title, duties, etc.) are subject to change at any time. Employment is at-will and employees, and likewise the College, are free to end the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without notice or cause, unless otherwise prohibited by law.

Harvey Mudd College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will be given consideration for employment without regard to age, race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, protected veteran’s status, disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.