Lead Groundskeeper

Under minimal supervision from the Groundskeeper Foreman and Groundskeeper Assistant Foreman, the Lead Gardener provides skilled landscape trade tasks, assists with shop-related work, and facilitates maintenance and upkeep of the Evanston and Chicago campuses’ roads, walks, landscape, grounds, and Auto Shop. Independently performs quality control in the field to ensure safe and efficient operations, coordinates and implements landscape maintenance and construction projects, and may supervise crews and contractors. Provides direction to staff and assists with limited supervisory responsibilities, ensuring timely completion of shop-related paperwork and electronic approvals. Cultivates good customer relations while supporting the department’s mission and values of inclusiveness, respect, initiative, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates tasks and work for shop personnel, supplemental contractors, or vendors to meet the unit’s mission and budget on both campuses.
• Ensures tasks and assignments are completed to the highest standard of excellence, cost-effectively, and in compliance with University standards and unit requirements.
• Performs and manages seasonal landscape activities on both campuses, including:
  • Flower bed maintenance: planting, weeding, and watering.
  • Turf maintenance: mowing, seeding, sodding, and watering (may include pesticide application).
  • Landscape construction: tree and shrub plantings, site preparation, and plant removals.
  • General landscape maintenance: lawn mowing, watering, weeding, and cultivating.
  • Detailed trimming and pruning.
  • General landscape clean-up and leaf removal.
  • Snow and ice removal using shovels, small snow brooms, and snowplows.
  • Refuse removal: carrying garbage cans and picking up trash from campus areas.
  • Operation of small equipment: lawn mowers, snow blowers, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, bulb drills, and walk-behind aerators.
• Drives University vehicles, including those requiring a commercial driver's license (Class B).
• Assists with special event setups for University departments.
• Manages shop performance to budget and other unit objectives.
• Develops and maintains standard operating and reporting procedures for shop staff.
• Participates in hiring, training, and performance evaluation of staff.
• Ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, ordinances, codes, and University/departmental policies, including safety, labor management, and conflict of interest.
• Available to respond to irregularities during evenings and weekends, ensuring 24/7 coverage.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Five or more years of professional landscape or grounds maintenance experience.
• Minimum two years of supervisory experience in planning, directing, and coordinating landscape maintenance activities.
• Valid Illinois Pesticide Operator License (must obtain and maintain).
• Valid Commercial Driver’s License Class “B” (must obtain and maintain).
• High school diploma or equivalent combination of educational training and experience.
• Must be a member of Local 681 or join after satisfactory completion of a 90-day probationary period.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of landscape maintenance and construction.
• Proficiency in plant identification, disease prevention and treatment, and pesticide application.
• Ability to read and understand landscape drawings and operate all landscape-related equipment.
• Physical ability to work in cramped quarters, climb ladders, work at heights, and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Exceptional customer relationship skills and ability to establish effective working relationships in a diverse environment.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to motivate work groups toward common goals.
• Comprehensive knowledge of tools, instruments, methods, and safety practices in landscape maintenance.
• Receptive to feedback, willing to learn, and embraces continuous improvement.
• Helpful, respectful, approachable, and team-oriented.
• Ability to build strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
• Balances listening and talking, speaks and writes clearly, and keeps others informed.
• Integrates health and safety precautions into daily activities.
• Works effectively in dynamic environments and adjusts to varying needs and situations.
• Proficient with multiple software programs, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), CMMS Systems, PeopleSoft, and mobile devices (iOS).

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in horticulture or related field.
• Facilitates open and effective communication, cooperation, and teamwork.
• Strong planning and time management skills, including punctuality.
• Familiarity with zone maintenance models.
• Recommends improvements to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
• Analytical skills, including critical thinking, decision-making, troubleshooting, and interpreting technical drawings.
• Achieves excellence in work processes and outcomes while adhering to policies and regulatory requirements.

Pay

Target hiring pay for this position is $46.92 per hour as determined by the Local 681 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Offered salary will be based on the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and market alignment.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Paid vacation and holidays.
• Paid medical/sick leave and parental leave.
• Tuition benefits for employees and dependents.
• Pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care.
• Retirement savings options.
• Wellness programs.
• Work-life and wellness programs, including flexible work arrangements (where possible), childcare and senior/adult care support.
• Professional growth and development opportunities, including career development tools and formal education support.