Grounds Supervisor
About the role
Indian River State College is seeking a dedicated and experienced Grounds Supervisor to lead campus grounds operations and help ensure our campuses remain welcoming spaces for students, employees, and visitors. In this hands-on role, you will supervise and mentor grounds staff while overseeing landscaping, irrigation systems, turf management, ornamental plant care, pesticide application, and general grounds maintenance. You will play a key role in maintaining the appearance, functionality, and safety of the College grounds, coordinating special projects, managing equipment and supplies, and collaborating with vendors and campus partners.
Indian River State College is a leading public institution on Florida’s Treasure Coast, serving students across multiple campuses in four counties. The College is committed to academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement, offering associate and bachelor’s degrees, workforce training, and continuing education programs that meet the needs of the region. With flexible learning options online, on campus, and hybrid, the College meets students where they are and prepares them for real-world success. Programs like the Promise Program expand access by providing eligible students with tuition-free opportunities.
When you join Indian River State College, you become part of a collaborative and mission-driven community where your work makes a meaningful impact. Your role is more than a job; it’s an opportunity to shape futures, support student success, and contribute to a college that is changing lives every day.
Job Summary: Under administrative supervision, this position oversees grounds and maintenance operations for the College at assigned location(s). Responsibilities include training, leading, and supervising assigned employees; ensuring the proper maintenance, appearance, and safety of College grounds and outdoor facilities; coordinating and overseeing landscaping activities; and supporting the safe, efficient, and effective operation of campus facilities.
Responsibilities
- Trains and leads grounds employees to work both as a unit as well as independently; approves time off and time worked; and initiates and closes work orders.
- Oversees maintenance of a College campus and surrounding area through mowing, trimming, fertilizing, and spraying; prunes grasses and ornamental plants and trees; and adjusts irrigation sprinklers and systems as needed.
- Applies pesticides as needed.
- Performs general grounds maintenance duties as may be necessary.
- Makes sure equipment is working properly; orders supplies as needed; and maintains inventory.
- Designs and installs landscapes.
- Works with and schedules vendors for special projects.
- Maintains records on equipment and grounds maintenance.
- Resolves daily problems.
- Ensures a safe working environment.
- Completes all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
- Associate degree (preferably in horticulture); five (5) years of related experience in lawn and grounds care maintenance in a leadership position with supervisory responsibilities of leading and directing other employees; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
- Valid Florida driver’s license.
- Possess CORE certification (pass the General Standards Certification Exam) plus Ornamental certification.
- Knowledge of operating, maintaining, and adjusting the various types of equipment used in the lawn maintenance industry.
- Knowledge of the techniques used in mowing, trimming, and pruning of ornamental plants and trees.
- Knowledge of pesticides/fertilizers and calibrating and applying pesticides correctly according to labels.
- Skill in safely operating, maintaining, and adjusting the various types of equipment used in the lawn maintenance industry.
- Skill in working with Microsoft Office and Windows based applications.
- Ability to operate, repair, and adjust irrigation sprinklers and systems.
- Ability to be flexible, use initiative, be efficient, work independently as well as with others, and be self-motivated.
- Ability to identify plants and trees and recognize plant diseases and problems related to landscaping.
Physical Demands
This position classifies the physical exertion requirements as medium work involving lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. If someone can do medium work, it is determined that he or she can also do sedentary and light work.