Landscape Foreman

Akehurst Landscape Service, Inc.; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Akehurst Landscape Service, Inc. is seeking a non-exempt Supervisor to lead field crews, perform masonry tasks, and manage projects from site to completion. The role requires reading blueprints, coordinating with the Field Supervisor, and ensuring work meets specifications and quality standards.

You will handle administrative duties, safety, and training, while driving crews to multiple sites and maintaining equipment and materials on schedule.

Qualifications

• At least two years of professional grounds maintenance/landscape experience.
• Experience reading elevations and blueprints.
• Strong leadership and crew management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the work activities of a full crew.
• Perform masonry tasks and read blueprints.
• Oversee job site inspections and punch lists.
• Complete administrative duties like timecards and equipment inventory.
• Ensure work is completed on time and within budget.
• train and develop crew members in equipment use and safety.
• coordinate safety meetings and PPE usage.
• maintain compliance with company policies and standards.

Skills

Safety

Results oriented

Horticulture

Hardscape

Field ops management

Job quality

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Education

Two years grounds maintenance/landscape experience

Tools

Laser level

Saws

Chipper

Stump grinder

Job description

CLASSIFICATION PURPOSE

Description

This non-exempt position is responsible for performing a variety of operational and administrative tasks involving masonry, equipment operation, and site management; perform related work as required.

Essential Functions

The examples of functions listed in this job description are representative, but not necessarily exhaustive, of any one position in this job classification. Management may assign other functions not listed herein at its sole discretion.

• Leads the work activities of a full work crew;
• performs masonry functions (e.g., finishing concrete, laying tile, reading blueprints);
• uses hand tools (e.g., trowels), complex tools (e.g., laser level), and electrical-powered equipment (e.g., saws, drills) properly;
• leads the work activities of a full crew;
• completes administrative duties (e.g., crew timecards, signs for plant delivery, equipment inventory, spray use reports, punch lists) on time;
• may drive a crew to and from work sites;
• conducts job site inspections;
• completes job site checklist;
• follows specifications for all job sites and performs work within those guidelines;
• completes the work on time and under budget;
• calculates all material needs so as not to exceed company waste standards;
• reads elevations and blueprints extremely well;
• works with the Field Supervisor to determine bids for new jobs;
• performs basic grounds maintenance procedures (e.g., weeding, raking, preparing planter beds, sweeping);
• operates various hand tools (e.g., leaf rake, shovel, hoe, hose, hand pruner, lopping shears, hedge shears), light equipment (e.g., blower, lawn mower, string trimmer, push spreader, bed edger, wheelbarrow), and demanding equipment (e.g., ZTR lawnmowers, aerator, pruning saw, pole pruner, chainsaw, chipper, and stump grinder) safely and efficiently;
• applies SDS procedures; interprets placement of plant and hardscape materials from a non-dimensioned plan;
• applies grading and drainage principles;
• understands layout and construction procedures (e.g., pavers, natural stone, retaining walls, lighting features);
• installs plant material, prunes, and applies mulch as needed;
• plans and organizes work for Crew Members on job;
• follow-up on punch list;
• completes tasks according to production rates;
• complies with business ethics, applicable laws, and regulations;
• ensures the crew completes work efficiently thereby improving gross margin;
• maintains confidentiality of proprietary information;
• understands the relationship between job quality and customer service, satisfaction, and retention;
• ensures all job responsibilities are performed in accordance with company protocol;
• completes assignments within labor goals and specifications without sacrificing job quality;
• complies with all company policies, procedures, and standards;
• ensures work is performed to the company's and customer's expectations;
• role models PPE usage;
• completes administrative duties (e.g., signs for plant delivery, equipment inventory, vehicle inspections) on time;
• reports non-landscape issues to the Field Supervisor;
• performs routine maintenance on the equipment including oil changes, greasing, and cleaning equipment;
• trains, coaches, and develops employees in the use of basic landscape equipment and tools;
• diagnoses and repairs common equipment problems;
• conducts regular preventative maintenance on equipment;
• schedules equipment;
• interprets all aspects of structural plans to ensure compliance with codes;
• reads work orders;
• sets up truck daily with all supplies and equipment needed to complete the day’s work;
• coordinates equipment safety and repair;
• leads safety meetings;
• complies with all company policies, procedures, and standards;
• completes assignments within labor goals and specifications without sacrificing job quality;
• performs Winter Service (e.g., snow clearing, snow plowing, shoveling, salting) as needed;
• provides excellent service (e.g., accurate, complete, and timely) to clients, work-site partners, and Company staff in a courteous and efficient manner.

Competencies

• Safety: Operates and maintains tools and equipment to ensure safety; attends safety meetings; wears proper PPE; wears seat belt when traveling in a company vehicle; demonstrates proper lifting procedures; performs all safety inspections; ensures compliance with all safety policies/reporting procedures.
• Results Oriented: Maintains focus on outcomes; is proactive and goal oriented; concentrates on meeting objectives, delivering to the required time, cost, and quality; holds performance as more important than process; completes tasks as defined by production rates.
• Horticulture: Pulls weeds, rakes leaves, sweeps sidewalks, and cleans debris; prunes shrubs and low trees; grooms color beds; clears ditches, digs holes, and uses hand tools effectively; cleans canals, drains, and tree wells; plants vegetation correctly; uses burlaps effectively.
• Hardscape: Performs masonry procedures (e.g., elevations, finishing concrete, lays tile); uses tools (e.g., trowel, hoe, laser level) and powered equipment (e.g., saws, drills) properly and safely; reads and interprets plans and blueprints; builds complex structures (e.g., walls, patios, fireplaces) to legal compliance.
• Field Operations Management: Manages all materials at the job site (e.g., preparation, planting, clean-up); handles chemicals (e.g., fertilizer, containers, SDS) properly; monitors irrigation controllers; understands proper pest and weed control methods.
• Job Quality: Understands the relationship between job quality and customer service, satisfaction, and retention; ensures landscape and horticulture quality standards are met for every job.
• Customer Service: Consistently exceeds customer expectations; keeps customers well-informed, listens to them attentively, and addresses their concerns; enacts a personal approach to customer service.
• Interpersonal Skills: Treats others with respect, collaboration, and support in such a way that work relationships are improved and morale is increased; is approachable; has effective communication skills.

Requirements

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

An example of the preferred education, training, and/or experience that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and competencies for this position includes: at least two (2) years of professional grounds maintenance, irrigation, hardscape, construction, and operational experience similar to that presented above.

Essential Physical Characteristics

Frequently stand, walk, or crouch on narrow and/or slippery surfaces; work in extremely cold and freezing climates for long periods of time; stoop, kneel, bend to pick up or move objects; walk for long distances and on sloped ground and uneven surfaces; move, lift, and carry objects weighing up to 75 pounds; normal manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination; corrected hearing and vision to normal range.

SPECIAL NOTES, LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Pre-employment: Incumbents must sign the Confidentiality, Non-disclosure, and Non-solicitation Agreement prior to their first day on the job.

License: A valid Maryland driver’s license, which must be maintained throughout employment in this job classification, is required at the time of appointment.

Language: Though not required, bilingual English and Spanish skills are desirable.

Certifications: No certifications are required of this position.

Working Conditions: Work is conducted outdoors, exposed to varying temperatures, weather conditions, and noise levels; exposure to dust, pesticides, herbicides, grease, oils, dust, fumes, and electrical currents.

Background Investigation: Incumbents must have a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness. Misdemeanor and/or felony convictions may be disqualifying depending on type, number, severity, and recency. Prior to appointment, candidates may be subject to a background investigation and/or drug test.

Introductory Period: Incumbents appointed to this job classification serve an introductory period of three months.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The Key Performance Indicators for this position will be specified at the time of appointment.