Lead Groundskeeper

Lead Groundskeeper

Job no: 45002279

Work type: Internal (VCU Employees Only), Staff

Location: MCV Main Campus

Categories: Facilities Managememt

Unit: Facilities Operations Admin

Department: Facilities Ops Admin

Duties & Responsibilities:

VCU's Facilities Management Department is seeking to hire a Lead Groundskeeper in Facilities Operations.

The Lead Groundskeeper organizes, leads, plans, and directs a small team of groundskeeping workers and utilizes knowledge of the landscape trade and horticulture best practices to perform preventive maintenance, repair, and installation of landscape assets ensuring an attractive, healthy, and safe campus environment. The Lead Groundskeeper provides exemplary customer service to all faculty, staff and students supporting the University's mission of teaching, high-impact research and creative expression; identifies and documents landscape deficiencies using diagnostic skills and advise management of tasks requiring priority attention; and provides quality workmanship and service to maximize plant health and the service life of landscape assets.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

Performance Management:

• Expectations are clear, well communicated, and relate to the goals and objectives of the department or unit
• Staff receive frequent, constructive feedback
• Staff have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to accomplish goals
• Manage and complete all requirements of the performance management process; ensure evaluations are completed by established deadlines with adequate supporting documentation
• Performance issues are addressed and documented as they occur
• Safety issues are reviewed and communicated to assure a safe and healthy workplace
• Staff are held accountable for meeting University and Department standards

Leadership

• Goals are achieved in a timely manner
• Team is well organized and prepared for task at hand
• Team members have been instructed and understand the objectives and direction of the group
• Fosters team work and honest communication
• Advises supervision and/or management by recommending landscape and equipment maintenance tasks and identifying areas needing priority attention
• Provides worksite guidance and direction to other grounds team members assuring safe and orderly completion of service requests and projects
• Work with lesser skilled team members to increase their skill level and ability to work independently

Horticulture: Tree, Shrub, Turf, & Annual/Perennial Maintenance

• Performs all landscape maintenance in accordance with department standards
• Mows, trims, and edges turf at the appropriate height for turf type and season. Does not damage trees or other woody plants with string trimmer. Does not mow excessively wet turf and varies mowing pattern to minimize soil compaction and turf damage
• Irrigates, aerates, fertilizes, and overseeds turf areas as directed
• Prunes trees and shrubs according to ANSI pruning and safety standards
• Conducts IPM and applies pesticides as directed to turf, ornamental plants and weeds
• Identifies, reports, and corrects irrigation deficiencies
• Installs plant material as directed
• Mulches ornamental beds
• Waters plants by hand. Checks soil moisture and plant health to determine need first
• Keeps landscape beds weed free

Litter Control

• Sweeps and cleans litter and debris from turf and landscaped areas, sidewalks, and alleys with various hand tools and power equipment including litter vacuum machine
• Reports and removes graffiti, wear, or other damage in accordance with University policy
• Collects litter, empties trash cans, and replaces trash can liners as directed during special events

Equipment Operation and Maintenance

• Understands and demonstrates proficient, safe operation of tools and equipment including use of task appropriate PPE
• Performs visual and fluid checks on power equipment and vehicles and fills out vehicle logs daily
• Recognizes and corrects unsafe conditions or practices
• Performs basic maintenance such as checking fluid levels, inflating tires, or adjusting tools before use daily as needed
• Identifies maintenance needs and reports any damage or needed repairs to supervisor and shop mechanic

Work Management

• Assigns, performs and completes service work orders and preventive maintenance tasks
• Uses AiM and AiM Go daily to accurately track time, material and effort required to complete tasks and to update work order status as work is assigned, performed and completed. Time cards are completed daily
• Keeps accurate, detailed records including pesticide applicator logs and notes on work orders describing conditions observed and work performed
• Reviews time cards of assigned staff daily for accuracy
• Observes work in progress to ensure tasks are performed as instructed and on time
• Inspects work to ensure staff and contractors are meeting performance standards

Other Duties

• Designated to work and be on-call during emergencies, inclement weather and special events
• Safely operates snow removal tools and equipment including plows, spreaders, 4 x 4 vehicles, and off-road vehicles
• Capably assumes supervisor's responsibilities as needed
• Keeps shop, vehicle and other work areas clean and organized
• Other duties as assigned

Customer Service

• Listens to and anticipates customer needs, provides clear explanations; responds quickly; takes initiative to assist internal and external customers
• Communicates respectfully and effectively to internal and external customers
• Observes confidentiality

Ethical Standards (VCU Code of Conduct)

• Demonstrates respect, honesty, excellence, responsibility, accountability, stewardship, compliance, and a commitment to integrity and ethical behavior by example in his/her day-to-day activities

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Current VCU employee
• Strong leader with excellent written and oral communication skills and a customer service focus
• Advanced knowledge and skill in ornamental plant care and landscape maintenance
• Skillful operator of trucks, trailers, utility vehicles, mowers, sprayers, snow removal equipment, hand tools and outdoor power equipment common to landscape maintenance or installation in a congested urban
  environment
• Able to share knowledge and transfer skills to other employees through teaching, demonstration constructive criticism, and accountability
• Ability to give and follow direction, work independently, and lead others
• Has effective interpersonal skills that foster trust and productive work relationships
• Able to operate a personal computer and mobile electronic devices to communicate with supervision,
  employees, and customers, manage work assignments, and process time cards
• Able to work on-call, after hours, on weekends or holidays, at strenuous tasks in physically challenging
  environments including heat, cold, and inclement weather
• VDACS Pesticide Registered Technician required within 6 months
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
• Valid Driver License is required
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two-year degree in agriculture, horticulture, natural resources or related science is preferred
• A minimum of two years of commercial, municipal, park or similar landscape or tree maintenance experience is preferred
• Commercial Applicator Categories 3A and 3C preferred

Salary Range: $43,000

Benefits : All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Working Days/Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30am-3:00pm; overtime, nights, and holidays may be required for special events, emergencies, and inclement weather; subject to being on-call

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

University Job Title: 17034N - Sr Groundskeeper FM 1

Closing Date: July 30, 2026

Advertised: 23 Jul 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: 30 Jul 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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