Superintendent, Landscape Services

University of California - Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California - Santa Barbara is seeking an experienced Grounds Manager to lead the department's Grounds program. You will oversee 28 FTE staff across campus sites, coordinate projects, and manage a significant annual budget for maintenance and major projects.

Leadership, regulatory experience, and a track record of safety and teamwork are essential. The role interfaces with the HDAE Leadership Team and requires strong planning abilities.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma is required.
• 4–6 years landscaping industry experience.
• 1–3 years experience with regulatory agencies (water districts, municipalities).
• 1–3 years demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience.
• Valid California DPR Qualified Applicator’s License or Certificate Category A, or California Structural Branch 2 license, with CEUs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Grounds maintenance, project coordination, and budgeting for multiple sites.
• Supervise daily operations, staffing, scheduling, and performance standards.
• Manage procurement, vendor relationships, and TreeKeeper system for trees.
• Lead safety initiatives and ensure compliance with campus safety standards.
• Contribute to long‑range planning and support the HDAE Leadership Team.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Project coordination

Budgeting

Communication

Safety compliance

Education

High School Diploma

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Job description

Overview

Under the general supervision of the Sr. Superintendent, the incumbent is the frontline manager for all aspects of the department's Grounds program. The role involves leading 28 FTE Grounds staff who maintain 250 acres of campus hardscape and landscape, coordinating projects and operations across HDAE facilities and other University-owned areas.

Responsibilities

• Manage Grounds maintenance, project coordination, and budgeting ($2.7 M annual budget for maintenance; $4 M major projects).
• Supervise daily operations across multiple campus sites, ensuring staffing, scheduling, and performance standards.
• Oversee procurement, vendor management, and the TreeKeeper system for over 10,000 trees, plus concrete grinding and fencing vendors.
• Lead communication, training, and safety initiatives; maintain compliance with UC Integrated Pest Management and other campus safety standards.
• Participate in long‑range planning and educational equity efforts; provide support to the HDAE Leadership Team.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma.
• 4–6 years landscaping industry experience.
• 1–3 years experience with regulatory agencies (water districts, municipalities).
• 1–3 years demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience.
• Valid California DPR Qualified Applicator’s License or Certificate Category A, or California Structural Branch 2 license, with required Continuing Education Units maintained within one year.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent certification preferred.

Special Conditions of Employment

• Valid driver’s license, compliance with local driving policies, and enrollment in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.
• Satisfactory criminal history background check.
• Maintenance of applicable California DPR licenses and CEUs within one year.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer will be required to disclose any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years indicating misconduct, or any appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a former employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Reasonable Accommodations: The University of California strives to make its website accessible to all users. If you need assistance accessing the website or completing the application, please contact Katherine Abad in Human Resources at 805‑893‑4664 or [e-mail]. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of your application.