Supervisor, Groundskeeping, Landscape Enhancement

About Us

Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower our 47,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision.

Location

Kennesaw State University has two main campuses:

• 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
• 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060

Department Information

• Leads and coordinates in-house tree removals
• Oversees campus landscape lighting systems, including troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance
• Installs, services, and repairs irrigation systems, including sprinklers, pumps, valves, controllers, and water lines
• Conducts routine inspections and preventative maintenance to ensure irrigation systems are operating effectively across university locations
• Diagnostics and repairs irrigation system issues, including malfunctioning components, leaks, electrical issues, and system inefficiencies
• Completes and maintains progress reports, maps, and records related to irrigation installations, repairs, and maintenance activities
• Maintains inventory of irrigation and related materials and communicates purchasing needs to department leadership
• Trains and mentors departmental staff on proper irrigation troubleshooting, repair techniques, and system operation
• Develops and maintains irrigation schedules that support plant health while preventing unsafe conditions for the campus community
• Conducts initiative-taking routine system audits to identify deficiencies, potential system upgrades and prevent malfunctions
• Performs seasonal irrigation system start-ups and winterization procedures
• Installs and maintains drainage systems, including but not limited to dry creek beds, French drains, catch basins, downspout tie-ins, and grading adjustments
• Create and maintain records of all irrigation systems located within the university

Job Summary

Supervises the landscaping maintenance of all University grounds keeping crews and directs the planting, pruning, and cultivating of trees, shrubs, and flowers, and the seeding, fertilizing, mowing, and trimming of all University grounds.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and performs a variety of semi-skilled manual tasks and duties in support of various services provided by the grounds team
• Installs plant materials, operates, repairs, and maintains various types of grounds equipment and hand tools
• Knowledge of proper and safe use of equipment, chemicals, tools, etc.
• Acts as the lead in the absence of leadership
• Oversees assigned staff that perform grounds maintenance duties (i.e., trash pickup, mowing, edging, blowing, weed trimming, weed pulling)
• Provides advisement to management related to staff performance
• Instructs by demonstration and trains employees in the safe and proper use of all related equipment and processes
• Manages time and assignments throughout the day following Grounds Task List
• Responsible for inventory management of equipment and/or supplies
• Ensures a clean, safe, and aesthetically pleasing campus environment
• Enhances the overall appearance of campus grounds to contribute to a positive campus image
• Performs mowing, edging, string trimming, weed pulling, and other tasks to maintain campus grounds
• Assists with training other staff within the department in the proper handling and processing of assigned area equipment, chemicals, etc.
• Oversees and perform duties related to campus trash collection and grounds maintenance operations
• Responsible for ensuring trash receptacles and grounds equipment for special events and campus activities are properly and safely placed as needed
• Makes sure to monitor and patrol all events on the campus green and other exterior spaces on both campuses as required
• Assists in planning, promoting, executing Arbor Day and other Grounds department events
• Supports university sustainability efforts by advising on drainage, plant material, irrigation, etc.

Required Qualifications

• Educational Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
• Other Required Qualifications: Current, valid and unrestricted driver's license
• Required Experience: Three (3) years related work experience and at least two (2) years supervisory experience in the safe operations of mowing and landscape equipment and processes

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional Preferred Qualifications: Additional licensing or certification may be required for select roles
• Preferred Educational Qualifications: An undergraduate or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field
• Preferred Experience: Experience operating landscape equipment
• Prior experience supervising small crews

Proposed Salary

The budgeted salary range is $20.60 to $24.40 per hour. Offers are based on relevant experience. Comprehensive benefits to include Medical, Dental, Vision, 13 paid holidays, vacation, generous retirement plans, tuition waiver, wellness options, and much more! Visit hr.kennesaw.edu/benefits.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• ABILITIES
  • Physical stamina to perform heavy manual labor outdoors and indoors in all weather conditions
  • Able to participate in and promote campus-wide Best Management Practices set forth by the University
  • Able to perform heavy labor outdoors in all types of weather
  • Able to use a variety of standard power and hand tools safely and efficiently
  • Wears the appropriate safety and protective equipment
  • Able to delegate giving clear and concise directions to staff
  • Able to keep records, prepare work and time reports
  • Able to identify plants and knowledge of proper care including pruning, planting, and watering
  • Able to drive University vehicles (gator, golf carts, etc.) to different areas
  • Able to operate groundskeeping and custodial equipment safely, including lawnmowers, trimmers, pressure washers, tractors, and dump trucks, depending on assignment
  • Able to work extended shifts and weekends on short notice; based on the condition of the facilities, grounds, and campus event schedule
  • Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlines
• KNOWLEDGE
  • Knowledge of maintenance processes, equipment, and products
  • Knowledge of occupational hazards, safety rules, and procedures related to grounds maintenance and construction projects
  • Knowledge of tree felling and pruning techniques
  • Experienced in hardscapes, drainage, planting techniques
• Skills
  • Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management, and presentation skills
  • Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite)
  • Strong attention to detail and follow up skills
  • Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

Background Check

This role requires a background check. Please see the attached document for more information: Background Check Policy.