Landscape & Grounds Team Leader

USC's Facilities Planning & Management (FPM) division is responsible for planning, developing, and maintaining the breadth of the facilities at USC, and is dedicated to creating a safe environment for the USC community. Woven into every service, safety is of utmost importance. FPM values employee recognition, accountability, collaboration, respect, and trust.

About the role

The Landscape and Grounds Team Leader serves as a Team Leader of a work group responsible for the cleanliness, public safety, and aesthetics of a university landscape area. Plans and schedules daily seasonal tasks, and works with team members to ensure completion. Ensures the team is in compliance with university and departmental policies and procedures. Performs a variety of landscaping maintenance tasks and collaborates with other FPM staff as needed. Communicates directly with stakeholders (e.g., building managers) to ensure information is effectively exchanged and issues or concerns are addressed promptly.

Responsibilities

• Leads a crew in a variety of landscaping maintenance tasks, including cleaning, trimming, mowing, fertilizing, cultivating, watering, edging, hedging, and using and maintaining manual and powered landscaping equipment.
• Makes minor irrigation repairs.
• Prunes trees and shrubs.
• Provides management input regarding disciplinary actions, pay raises, promotions, and other staff management tasks as needed.
• Interprets rules, regulations, policy, and procedures.
• Schedules, assigns staff to work locations, and coordinates work for special events.
• Trains and ensures crew members are inputting time on electronic devices (e.g., handheld devices) to complete orders.
• Provides information and assistance to customers while delivering a high level of customer service.
• Conducts maintenance inspections to assess the condition of sub-zones, with a focus on public safety and the health and vitality of vegetation.
• Plans, designs, and oversees the execution of landscape projects.
• Identifies and reports landscape problems to supervisor.
• Prepares written correspondence, reports, and/or maintenance inspection records.
• Encourages a workplace culture where all employees are valued, value others, and have the opportunity to contribute through their ideas, words, and actions, in accordance with the USC Code of Ethics.
• Assists supervisor in the administration of the Pay for Skills Program.
• Coordinates landscape needs, objectives, and Pay for Skills Training with various departments.
• Maintains condition and appearance of campus grounds.
• Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

Requirements

• 5 years minimum experience in landscaping.
• Valid CA driver's license required with a minimum of 2 years’ driving experience. Position will participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Pull Notice System. A copy of DMV record will be required as a final condition of employment.
• Familiar with safe operation of hand tools and power equipment used in the landscape maintenance industry.
• Knowledge of horticultural practices in the design and implementation of climate-adaptive and California-native plants.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, principles, and regulations.
• Basic computer literacy with ability to use handheld devices to complete reports.
• Experience operating and training crew members in the operation of various landscape power equipment.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience of landscape personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with all levels of landscape personnel.
• Extensive landscape experience.
• Knowledge of gardening and grounds maintenance, including gardening techniques, tree pruning, cultivation, and common plant species.
• Thorough knowledge of landscape tools and equipment (including power tools).
• Familiarity with irrigation systems and installation.
• Thorough knowledge of standard safety practices and equipment and other requirements for workplace safety.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 3 years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• 7 years of experience in landscaping and waste management or disposal.
• 1+ years of experience in a leadership role.
• ISA Certified Arborist, Qualified Applicator Certification, California Native Plant Landscaper.
• Proficient with the cultivation of native plants.
• Conversational fluency in one or more languages (e.g., Spanish) in addition to English.
• Experience at a higher education institution.
• Familiarity with university grounds.

Pay

The hourly rate for this position is $25.50/hr. - $27.00/hr. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.