Landcare Supervisor

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 73,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages and benefits

Excellent retirement plans with hereml

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

The University of Minnesota’s Landcare division is seeking an experienced Supervisor to oversee landscape maintenance crews across the Twin Cities Campus. You will lead teams of full-time staff and student employees, manage program goals, budgets, and safety, and coordinate with contractors for specialized work.

You will recruit and train frontline staff, ensure quality control, and maintain strong relationships with campus stakeholders while upholding union and university policies.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in horticulture, urban forestry, or related field plus at least five years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least nine years.
• Five years of experience in commercial grounds maintenance and snow removal or combination of related education and work experience to equal at least nine years
• Two years of supervisory experience (preferably in a unionized setting)
• Competence with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, ArcGIS or similar Geographic Information Systems software
• Valid driver’s license

Responsibilities

• Oversee crews of full-time Teamster staff and part-time student employees who perform landscape maintenance and construction activities across the Twin Cities Campus.
• Lead recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and training for frontline staff and student employees.
• Set goals for maintenance programs and ensure work quality and efficient use of resources.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations and provide ongoing feedback and safety training.
• Comply with collective bargaining agreements and University policies.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Strong communication

Team leadership

Problem solving

Education

BA/BS in horticulture, urban forestry, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Workspace

ArcGIS

Job description

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Position Overview

The University of Minnesota’s Facilities Management (FM) department is responsible for the physical assets of the University to provide a safe, reliable and welcoming campus for learning and discovery. We ensure a quality environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors in support of the University’s mission of teaching, research and outreach. Landcare presents a beautiful, safe and accessible exterior environment for campus users throughout the year. Our mission is to provide efficient, cost effective stewardship of natural and built campus assets.

Landcare is an operations unit within FM responsible for exterior campus maintenance and design on the Twin Cities Campus. The Supervisor position reports to the Operations Manager and oversees landscape maintenance crews. The descriptions listed below do not include all possible responsibilities in this position and do not limit the assignment of related responsibilities.

Position Responsibilities

Operational Oversight - 30%

Oversee crews of full-time Teamster staff and part-time student employees who perform landscape maintenance and construction activities across the Twin Cities Campus. Work collaboratively with a team of peer supervisors who each lead various programs which could include the following:

• Campus groundskeeping - horticultural care of shrub beds, perennials, annual flower displays, turf mowing and care, hard surface maintenance, and litter removal.
• Naturalized area management - establishment and care of approximately 60 acres of prairies, urban meadows, bio-filtration basins, woodlands, and alternative-turf lawn areas.
• Tree care - full-service care of approximately 9,500 trees including planting, pruning, removals, preservation, risk assessment, and health care & chemical treatments.
• Irrigation - maintenance of approximately 130 networked campus irrigation systems which are centrally controlled through an ET based computer program.
• Project installation - repair and restoration of targeted campus sites including large-scale planting, small hardscaping, irrigation installation & retrofit, and construction staging.
• Event service - ensure efficient waste management for approved outdoor events, football tailgating, Homecoming events, and Welcome Week activities.
• Equipment repair and maintenance - oversee equipment fleet of approximately 650 units including prioritizing daily repairs, obtaining replacement parts, coordinating short-term coverage during breakdowns, upholding recommended service intervals, and advising on replacement cycles.
• Snow removal - plan pre-storm logistics, activate crews, and direct post storm response to provide a safe and accessible campus for various transportation modes. This includes in-house staff and contracted vendors and involves an approximate scope of 100 miles of streets, docks, plazas and walkways, and 100 acres of parking facilities.
• Contracted vendors - assist in supporting various specialized contractors to supplement Landcare resources including snow removal, street sweeping, organics recovery yard, sodding, landscape maintenance, and tree work.

Supervision - 30%

• Lead recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and training for frontline staff and student employees.
• Set goals for maintenance programs, uphold established campus service standards, and regularly inspect work quality. Make decisions to ensure work is completed efficiently and resources are applied appropriately.
• Ensure successful program outcomes in a dynamic environment through effective workflow planning, prioritizing, and scheduling.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations and regular 1 on 1 check-in meetings with direct reports to provide continuous feedback and operational support.
• Carry out in-house employee safety and equipment training, coordinate external training and professional development opportunities, and support employees in maintaining relevant industry certifications and licenses.
• Comply with collective bargaining agreements and applicable University policies.

Administrative Procedures - 20%

• Adhere to University policies and procurement rules while making discretionary purchases for various goods and services which includes assisting in budget management and reconciling invoices.
• Utilize University computer programs to manage work tasks and service requests as well as review and approve employee timecards and time off requests.
• Attend regular meetings on-site, in-person, and virtually to collaborate with team members, creatively solve problems, provide status updates, and plan upcoming priorities.
• Prepare and be accountable for cost estimates for labor, material, and equipment.
• Assist in regulatory compliance such as material inventories, pesticide applications, spill prevention, and SDS by collecting, organizing, and maintaining records.
• Apply relevant policies, procedures, labor contracts, codes, regulations, and guidelines including Affir­mative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity.

Customer Service & Issue Resolution - 15%

• Build and maintain positive customer relations through regular communication with other business units, departments, staff, faculty, and students.
• Execute stated goals in customer Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) and serve as the point of contact for various customers.
• Intake service requests from various campus departments and stakeholders, and facilitate any appropriate follow-up action to resolve the issue. This involves having a general understanding of other units, relaying messages appropriately, and tactfully interacting with requesters.

Other Duties as Assigned - 5%

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in horticulture, urban forestry, or related field plus at least five years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least nine years.
• Five years of experience in commercial grounds maintenance and snow removal or combination of related education and work experience to equal at least nine years
• Two years of supervisory experience (preferably in a unionized setting)
• Competence with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, ArcGIS or similar Geographic Information Systems software
• Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of industry and practices including horticulture, arboriculture, irrigation, landscape installation, and snow removal
• Valid MN pesticide applicator license (categories A & E) with two years experience
• Well-developed communication skills using a variety of tools and techniques (written, spoken, graphical, email, phone, text, etc.)
• Strong time management and organization skills with ability to balance multiple priorities
• Experience leading effectively and working collaboratively in a unionized setting

Physical and Environmental Requirements

Work is performed both in the field and in an office setting and may be exposed to hazardous outdoor conditions such as heat, cold, rain and snow and extended hours during the winter months for snow removal. PPE such as hearing and eye protection may be required at times.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $34.86 -$40.87 an hour ($72,500 - $85,000 annually); depending on education/qualifications/experience

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.