Supervisor, Grounds & Housekeeping

Houston Zoo; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Zoo seeks a Supervisor of Grounds & Housekeeping to lead the daily operations of housekeeping and grounds crews, ensuring cleanliness, safety, and aesthetic appeal of buildings and outdoor areas.

The role manages staff scheduling, quality inspections, safety compliance, and cross-department coordination while promoting world-class service for Zoo guests and supporting wildlife conservation efforts.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; related experience/training may be considered.
• Minimum of four years of progressively responsible work experience, including at least two years in a leadership/management role.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks.

Responsibilities

• Supervises schedules/assignments for grounds and housekeeping crews.
• Monitors work quality and ensures safety/cleanliness standards.
• Coordinates maintenance across indoor and outdoor areas.
• Develops daily work schedules based on priorities.
• Maintains records and prepares required reports.
• Trains staff on equipment usage and safety procedures.
• Ensures proper use of PPE and compliance with OSHA regulations.
• Recruits, selects, and evaluates direct reports; handles employee relations.

Skills

Leadership

Supervisory experience

Safety compliance

Team coordination

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

The Supervisor of Grounds & Housekeeping is responsible for the daily supervision of both housekeeping and groundskeeping teams to ensure the cleanliness, safety, and aesthetic appeal of buildings and surrounding outdoor areas. This position manages staff schedules, inspects work for quality, ensures compliance with safety standards, and coordinates maintenance activities across both indoor and outdoor environments. This position also promotes excellent environmental services, provides facilities upkeep, and ensures the highest degree of cleanliness. Leads a team of custodians and groundskeepers and sets the expectations and planning for the department. When necessary, works alongside team members as needed to ensure quality.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervises, coordinates, and monitors work schedules/assignments of grounds and housekeeping crews.
• Supervises crews engaged in the daily performance of ground maintenance and housekeeping maintenance.
• Assists with preparing and submitting required reports.
• Develops daily work schedules and assigns tasks based on operational priorities.
• Monitors staff performance and ensures work is completed to quality standards.
• Conducts regular inspections of facilities and grounds to identify issues and ensure cleanliness and upkeep.
• Ensures compliance with safety, sanitation, and environmental regulations.
• Inspects the quality of work performed by crews and contractors and prepares reports concerning the work.
• Tasked with training all department staff on the usage of various equipment specific to the department.
• Based on OSHA regulations, ensures that equipment such as mowing, weed trimmers, scissor lift, backhoe, tractor, street sweeper, skid‑steer loader, edgers, aerate lawns, and border area tools operate safely.
• Responsible for recruitment, selection, development, evaluation, and performance management of direct reports.
• Handles employee relations issues and communication with management.
• Communicates with other departments on work plans.
• Ensures world‑class service is delivered to Zoo guests.
• Establishes work standards and procedures and evaluates results.
• Investigates and responds to staff and guest complaints.
• Orders supplies, parts, chemicals, and other materials.
• Maintains various records and reports to monitor and track work activities.
• Responsible for completing all work orders in a timely fashion.
• Ensures all employees are in proper Zoo uniform with name tags on.
• Works closely with the Special Events staff to ensure all events are a success.
• Ensures staff have received proper chemical training.
• Ensures appropriate use of equipment and PPE.
• Contributes to saving animals in the wild through the reduction of waste, water, and energy use and inspiring guests and staff to take wildlife‑protecting actions.
• Contributes to other operational priorities as needed.

Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED, or one to three months of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible work experience, including at least two (2) years in a leadership or management role. Manages multiple projects at one time and prioritizes appropriately. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills. Ability to partner with teams and with all levels of staff. Maintain a valid Texas driver's license.

About Houston Zoo

Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and, yes, even education! There are over 2 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well-being of our residents and guests. We strive to ensure the protection of all the counterparts of the animals we have at the Zoo and in the wild. Join the Houston Zoo and become a part of an organization that is focused on the preservation of wildlife and their habitats by combining conservation with education and promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the local communities.

Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer.