Grounds Supervisor

Grounds Supervisor

St. Paul Academy and Summit School seeks candidates for the position of Grounds Supervisor.

St. Paul Academy and Summit School (SPA) is a coeducational, non-sectarian, college-preparatory day school serving more than 920 students in kindergarten through grade 12. Our two campuses are located approximately a mile apart in St. Paul, Minnesota, serving Grades K-5 on our Goodrich Campus and Grades 6-12 on our Randolph Campus. The school draws students from St. Paul, Minneapolis, and throughout the eastern and western suburbs.

Our mission — shaping the minds and the hearts of the people who will change the world —is a promise to our students and our families, and it pushes us to be thoughtful about everything we do. It inspires us to be our best and reminds us that we have the responsibility to respect the unique potential in every child. Our mission gives us purpose and represents our greatest aspirations and values. But most of all, it reflects our deep belief in the talents and capabilities of our students.

Reporting to the Director of Operations and Security, the Grounds Supervisor is a working supervisory position responsible for managing the activities of the Grounds department on the two St Paul Academy and Summit School campuses. The Grounds Supervisor is required to plan, organize and schedule grounds activities and projects, so they are completed in a timely, efficient and professional manner.

Essential Functions:

1. Supervise the daily activities of the Grounds Technician and part-time employees by prioritizing and scheduling seasonal daily work projects and other projects assigned to the division.
2. Plan, organize, and supervise grounds projects and activities, including, but not limited to the following:
   1. maintenance of the campus and sports turf areas,
   2. planting and care of flower/ornamental shrub beds,
   3. planting and maintenance of campus trees,
   4. maintenance of athletic fields, including accurate field striping for athletic events,
   5. maintenance of campus sidewalks, steps, plazas, alleyways, service drives and parking lots,
   6. removal of snow from walks, steps, and parking lots,
   7. application of fertilizers, pesticides, and other necessary chemicals and carefully monitoring contractors employed to perform these applications,
   8. serve as a liaison with contractors hired to work on campus grounds.
3. Supervise the proper daily use of all equipment and supervise its recommended periodic preventive maintenance and repairs.
4. Coordinate the ordering and delivery of all plant material, supplies, and equipment needed throughout the year. Purchase all materials, equipment, and services under SPA's purchasing procedures.
5. Direct and supervise the trash hauling contractor, landscape maintenance, and snow removal contracts and liaison with those contractors. Perform the same functions with other contractors when agreements are established.
6. Assist the Director with planning and implementing grounds-related capital projects to include: planning, budgeting, bidding, contractor selection, and supervising construction activities.
7. Coordinate overtime schedule of full-time personnel for seasonal work.
8. Plan and schedule the training of new full and part-time employees and seek assistance with that training as needed.
9. Prepare the grounds annual budget, review monthly budget reports, maintain records of work performed, and develop long-range programs as requested.
10. Assist with coordinating the necessary Operations and Grounds services for special events such as Alumni Weekend, Homecoming, and Graduation, including on-site supervision during the event.
11. Maintain a safe working environment and follow recommended safety procedures.
12. Perform as appropriate all duties of the Grounds department in support of maintaining the campus grounds.
13. Facilitate effectiveness of the Grounds department and Operations through good working relationships with faculty, staff members, and students.
14. Take the initiative to perform work independently and attend to routine additional duties and responsibilities as requested by the Director of Operations and Security or other SPA supervisory personnel.

Job Specifications/Minimum Qualifications:

1. Minimum of A.A. degree in landscape technology, horticulture, landscape design, or demonstrated equivalent experience and abilities. Preferred -Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent experience, in a landscape-related field.
2. Preferred minimum of three years successful general grounds working experience under qualified supervision.
3. Preferred minimum of two years of successful experience supervising and coordinating a crew of employees.
4. Ability to work with employees in an understanding and sensitive manner.
5. Ability to take the initiative on both assigned and unassigned work projects and to complete them independently.
6. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
7. Ability to read, write, speak and understand English.
8. Experience and ability to use a desktop computer and software including Google, Excel, and security access programs.
9. Possess, or have the ability to obtain, Red Cross First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications.
10. Valid driver's license, driving record in good standing; able to operate a manual transmission vehicle.

Other Duties:

1. Perform any other related duties as assigned such as assisting the Operations staff with events and set ups.

Physical Requirements of the position:

1. Ability to stand and walk for an eight (8) hour shift. Grounds work includes standing, twisting, turning, pushing, pulling, bending, crawling, crouching, stooping, and kneeling depending on the project being undertaken.
2. Ability to lift, load, and carry up to 50 pounds.
3. Ability to type on a computer keyboard and operate other office equipment such as copy machine, computer printer and other hand-operated equipment.
4. Good eyesight, including clear distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception vision.

Work Environment:

Duties are typically performed outside on the campus grounds in all weather conditions and occasionally indoors for event setups. Tasks will require the ability to use various equipment, including mowers, snow removal machines, utility vehicles, skid loaders, powered hand tools, and other powered equipment. The Grounds Supervisor is considered "essential personnel" for the Operations department and must work early mornings, evenings, and weekends in the event of snow or other weather events. Exposure exists to hazards that are endemic to grounds maintenance with the use of power equipment. These hazards can be potentially dangerous, including exposure to sharp blades, gases, fluids, and physical injury.

How to Apply:

The position includes a competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience. Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume and a list of references.

SPA is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse faculty and staff, and maintaining a workplace culture in which all are treated equitably.