Grounds Maintenance and Landscape Coordinator

Metropolitan Community College • Penn Valley, MO

1d

About The Position

The Grounds Maintenance and Landscape Coordinator oversees the aesthetic appeal, safety, and environmental health of exterior landscapes across the Metropolitan Community College District. The role manages daily grounds operations, athletic field maintenance, and seasonal landscaping projects, supporting an inspiring learning environment and campus safety, curb appeal, and environmental sustainability goals.

The position serves the MCC–Penn Valley and MCC–Maple Woods campuses and requires regular travel between locations. The coordinator works with external vendors, manages specialized turf care and plant maintenance, supports seasonal and winter weather planning, promotes sustainable landscaping, and helps manage the grounds fleet and operational budget.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Five years of experience in grounds and landscape management.
• Possess a valid Commercial Pesticide Applicator License or be able to obtain one within six months.
• Valid driver's license.
• Knowledge of plant identification, soil health, pest and disease management, and regional climate adaptations.
• Knowledge of OSHA standards related to chemical handling, including SDS, heavy equipment operation, and personal protective equipment.
• Knowledge of sustainable pest control strategies that minimize environmental and health risks.
• Knowledge of regional plant species and their role in creating low-maintenance, ecologically beneficial landscapes.
• Skill in operating, repairing, and programming commercial-grade irrigation controllers and hydraulic systems.
• Skill in operating backhoes, skid steers, zero-turn mowers, and snow removal equipment.
• Ability to read, analyze, evaluate, interpret, and summarize materials and statistical data.
• Communication and interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange or convey information with coworkers, supervisors, the public, and others.
• Ability to read landscape design plans and coordinate multi-phase exterior improvement projects.
• Ability to interact effectively with students, campus leadership, and the public regarding campus beautification efforts.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work and coordinate teams during extreme heat or emergency winter weather conditions.
• Ability to inspect landscaping work and evaluate compliance with design plans and performance standards.
• Ability to travel regularly between the Penn Valley and Maple Woods campuses.
• Physical capacity for very heavy work, including exerting more than 100 pounds of force occasionally, more than 50 pounds frequently, and up to 20 pounds constantly.
• Ability to perform job tasks involving climbing, crawling, crouching, keyboarding, grasping, hearing, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, standing, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree in Horticulture, Landscape Management, Turf Science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Two or more years of experience leading teams or coordinating large-scale vendor contracts.
• Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) or Landscape Industry Certified Technician certification.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with external vendors to maintain campus landscape health and complete weekly maintenance schedules across district sites.
• Manage specialized turf maintenance, including aeration, fertilization, and irrigation scheduling.
• Oversee planting, pruning, and health monitoring of trees, shrubs, and ornamental beds.
• Assist with developing and executing winter weather response plans and seasonal landscape rotations.
• Implement sustainable landscaping practices to reduce district water consumption.
• Manage procurement, maintenance, and safe operation of the grounds fleet.
• Assist in managing the grounds operational budget.
• Supervise external landscaping and tree-service contractors to ensure work meets district quality standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED