Grounds Supervisor

Job Description

Job Description

Position Details

Title: Grounds Supervisor

Location: 4055 Papu Circle, Honolulu, HI

Reports to: Operations Manager

Status: Full time, exempt

How to Apply: Apply in ADP and submit a résumé. The priority application deadline for this position is April 12. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

BACKGROUND

Shangri La is a cultural campus located on a 5-acre oceanside property in Honolulu, anchored by its 14,000-square-foot museum and interconnected indoor and outdoor spaces designed for reflection, dialogue and gathering. Home to more than 4,500 works representing diverse Muslim cultures, Shangri La operates as a center for cultures and ideas, leveraging its campus and collection to advance dialogue, creative practice and cross-cultural exchange.

Shangri La is a center of the Doris Duke Foundation (DDF), whose mission is to build a more creative, equitable and sustainable future. We work across three areas: arts & culture, nature, and health & well-being. In addition to Shangri La, DDF operates five national programs as well as Duke Farms, a New Jersey-based center for applied conservation and sustainability. Headquartered in New York City, DDF’s activities are guided by the will of Doris Duke, who endowed the foundation with financial assets that currently total over $2 billion. To learn more, visit

POSITION

The Grounds Supervisor plays a central role in stewarding Shangri La’s vibrant 5-acre oceanfront site by overseeing the care and cultivation of its gardens, landscapes and hardscapes. Collaborating with the Operations team, the Grounds Supervisor ensures that outdoor areas are maintained to the highest standards of preservation, beauty and safety.

This position provides hands-on leadership to the Grounds staff, coordinating daily work schedules and seasonal priorities, while supporting long-term landscape restoration and enhancement goals. Through this work, the Grounds team helps advance the foundation’s mission by nurturing a dynamic cultural landscape that welcomes and inspires visitors, supports programmatic activities and reflects the natural and cultural significance of the site.

YOUR IMPACT AT DDF

As the Grounds Supervisor at Shangri La, you will:

• Elevate and preserve the beauty, safety and functionality of Shangri La’s grounds.
  • Ensure the health, beauty and integrity of gardens, plantings and hardscapes across the 5-acre oceanfront site.
  • Diagnose and address plant health, irrigation and environmental conditions to sustain a thriving landscape.
• Lead and develop a high-performing grounds team.
  • Supervise daily operations, set clear priorities and ensure consistently high-quality work.
  • Coach, train and support staff growth while fostering accountability and strong team culture.
• Champion operational excellence in grounds management.
  • Plan and execute daily, seasonal and long-term maintenance and restoration efforts, identifying risks and opportunities for improvement across the site.
  • Oversee equipment, materials and work practices to ensure efficiency, safety and compliance.
• Ensure seamless cross-functional collaboration.
  • Collaborate across teams to prepare for events, special projects and visitor engagement.
  • Contribute to restoration and capital improvement initiatives that enhance the center’s impact.
• Perform other work, including special projects, as assigned.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Landscape Industry Certified Technician (formerly known as CLT) preferred.
• High school graduate or equivalent work experience preferred.
• Proficient in plant identification, irrigation systems, soil management, pest/disease control and hardscape maintenance.
• Experience supervising or mentoring team members and promoting safe work practices.
• Skilled in using landscaping tools, equipment and vehicles.
• Strong organizational and communication skills; ability to give and follow instructions.
• Computer literacy, including comfort with Microsoft Suite, with a willingness to adopt new technology, including AI, to drive efficiency and communicate effectively.
• Ability to communicate in multiple languages is preferred.
• Commitment to inclusive, team-oriented work and a collegial attitude.
• Demonstrated hands-on leadership experience in: landscaping, horticulture, tree and shrub care, fertilizer and chemical application, pesticides, plant identification, pool and pond care, irrigation and sprinkler and/or drainage systems.
• Sound judgment to complete assigned tasks safely and report concerns or issues to the Operations Manager.
• Possession of or willingness to obtain specialized training and certifications as required.

• Flexible and positive approach to collaboration, with a willingness to jump in and support across departments.

• Ability to work in varied outdoor conditions, including heat, sun exposure and wet weather.
• Physically capable of performing demanding tasks that include lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, bending, climbing, navigating uneven terrain, working at heights over 10 feet and operating power tools.
• Willingness to work flexible hours for special events, including weekends, evenings and holidays.
• Valid Hawai‘i driver’s license and clean driving record.

We recognize that not every candidate will meet every qualification listed. If you are passionate about our mission and believe you have the skills and experience to perform the essential functions of this role, we encourage you to apply.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Anticipated starting salary range is $56,800 to $71,000, and the final offer will depend on experience.
• Industry-leading benefits, including a 15% employer contribution to your 401(k), comprehensive health insurance, four weeks of paid vacation with additional paid time off, and matching gift benefits of up to $20,000 per year—all designed to support employees’ well-being, productivity and engagement.
• A values-driven culture rooted in integrity, excellence, collaboration, openness and imagination, and a deep commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

The Doris Duke Foundation is committed to inclusive hiring and equal employment opportunity. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, orientations and communities to apply. Our recruiting and employment practices adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. We provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation in the job application process is needed, please contact us here .