Grounds Manager

GROUNDS MANAGER

The Grounds Manager is responsible for the overall maintenance, appearance, safety, and functionality of all school grounds, athletic fields, outdoor facilities, and landscaped areas across campus. This position provides leadership, supervision, planning, and hands-on management of groundskeeping operations to ensure the campus remains clean, safe, attractive, and properly maintained for students, faculty, staff, visitors, and the surrounding community. As an essential employee, the Grounds Manager is expected to report to work during emergency situations, inclement weather, school closures, and other circumstances when campus operations require essential facilities support.

Grounds Maintenance and Operations

• Oversee all daily groundskeeping and landscaping operations.
• Maintain lawns, trees, shrubs, flower beds, walkways, parking lots, courtyards, and outdoor common areas
• Establish and maintain mowing, trimming, edging, pruning, mulching, and seasonal maintenance schedules
• Ensure all campus grounds are clean, presentable, and free of debris.
• Monitor irrigation systems, drainage, and exterior water management.
• Maintain athletic fields, playgrounds, and outdoor recreational areas.

Supervision and Leadership

• Supervise, train, and evaluate groundskeeping personnel.
• Assign daily responsibilities and establish work priorities.
• Develop staffing schedules and ensure adequate coverage
• Monitor employee performance, productivity, and workplace safety.
• Coordinate with other facilities departments and school administrators.
• Provide leadership and direction during special events and emergency situations.

Safety and Risk Management

• Conduct routine inspections of campus grounds and exterior facilities.
• Identify and correct hazardous conditions, including fallen branches, damaged walkways, uneven surfaces, and drainage issues.
• Ensure playground, athletic fields, sidewalks, and parking areas are maintained safely.
• Maintain proper storage and handling of equipment, fuel, chemicals, and landscaping materials.
• Report maintenance concerns and potential liability issues promptly.

Snow and Severe Weather Operations

• Serve as an essential employee during snowstorms, severe weather, and emergency campus closures.
• Coordinate snow and ice removal from sidewalks, entrances, parking lots, roadways, and emergency access routes.
• Apply appropriate ice-melting materials as needed.
• Respond to fallen trees, storm debris, flooding, and other weather-related campus conditions.
• Assist with preparing the campus for reopening following severe weather.
• Maintain emergency equipment and supplies necessary for weather response.

Equipment and Budget Management

• Oversee the maintenance, repair, and safe operation of groundskeeping equipment.
• Maintain inventory of tools, equipment, fuel, supplies, and materials,
• Develop annual grounds maintenance budget.
• Monitor expenditures and identify cost-effective maintenance practices.
• Obtain vendor estimates and coordinate outside contractors when necessary.
• Maintain accurate records of equipment inspections, repairs, and maintenance activities.

School Events and Campus Support.

• Prepare outdoor spaces for athletic events, graduations, ceremonies, and other school functions.
• Coordinate setup and cleanup of outdoor event spaces.
• Work collaboratively with athletics, security, custodial, and facilities departments.
• Maintain campus appearance to reflect the school's standards and professional image.
• Respond to urgent grounds-related requests from school administration.

Essential Employee Responsibilities:

• Report to work when directed during emergency closures and severe weather events.
• Be available for emergency grounds response outside of normal business hours.
• Assist with snow and ice removal before, during, and after winter weather events.
• Respond to urgent conditions that may affect campus safety or accessibility.
• Maintain communication with school leadership during emergency operations.
• Perform other essential duties as assigned to support school operations

What You Will Need to Succeed:

• 2-4 year degree in turf management
• 5 or more years of groundskeeping, landscaping, or athletic field management experience.
• Supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Valid driver's license
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, snow, humidity, and other environmental conditions.
• Ability to walk extensively throughout the campus on a daily basis over uneven terrain, athletic fields, sidewalks, and landscaped areas.
• Ability to stand, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, reach, and perform repetitive motions as required.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials, tools, equipment, and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds on a regular basis and occasionally more with assistance or equipment.
• Ability to climb ladders and work at varying heights when performing grounds maintenance tasks.
• Ability to respond to campus emergencies, severe weather events, and snow and ice removal operations, which may require extended work hours and physically demanding activity.
• Ability to see, hear, communicate, and maintain situational awareness to safely perform work around equipment, vehicle traffic, staff, students, and visitors.

Compensation and Benefits:

We are committed to transparency and supporting our employees' well-being. For this role, we offer a competitive salary range of $70,000 - $85,000 based on experience and qualifications.

In addition to the annual salary, Gilman School offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as life, critical illness, and accident coverage, and both short- and long-term disability coverage. We offer a 403 (b) retirement plan with an employer match to help you plan for the future.

We also believe in the importance of work-life balance. Eligible employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and winter and spring breaks as part of Gilman's standard time‑off package. Vacation and sick leave are prorated based on hire date. At Gilman School, you'll find a supportive environment where your health, wellness, and professional development are valued.