Grounds Supervisor

Landon School•Bethesda, MD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Landon School seeks a highly skilled and experienced Grounds Supervisor to oversee the care, maintenance, and long-term stewardship of our 75-acre campus. This individual will bring deep expertise in turf management, particularly Bermuda grass athletic fields, and high-end landscaping practices consistent with premier institutional campuses. The Grounds Supervisor will lead all aspects of outdoor operations, including athletic field conditioning, landscaping, irrigation, fertilization, pesticide application, tree care, and snow removal. This role requires both hands-on execution and team leadership, with a focus on maintaining a safe, visually exceptional, and highly functional campus environment year-round.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in grounds management, turf management, arboriculture, or a related field; experience at a golf course, collegiate athletic facility, or high-end campus strongly preferred.
Demonstrated expertise in Bermuda grass and athletic field management.
Experience with tree care, pruning, and removal, with working knowledge of arboricultural best practices.
Valid pesticide applicator license (or ability to obtain quickly); arborist certification preferred.
Strong knowledge of fertilization programs, irrigation systems, and integrated pest management.
Proven ability to lead and manage a team in a hands-on environment.
Experience with snow removal operations and planning.
Proficiency in operating and maintaining grounds and tree-care equipment.
Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and lift/move equipment as needed.

Responsibilities

Oversee all aspects of turf care across multiple athletic fields, with a strong emphasis on Bermuda grass management (seeding, aeration, topdressing, overseeding, dethatching, and seasonal transitions).
Develop and execute annual turf management plans to ensure optimal field performance, safety, and aesthetics.
Monitor field conditions daily and proactively address wear, compaction, drainage, and weather-related impacts.
Coordinate field preparation for practices, games, and special events to ensure high-quality playing surfaces.
Maintain campus landscaping to a high-end, golf course–level standard, including lawns, planting beds, trees, shrubs, and ornamental areas.
Oversee seasonal plantings, pruning, mulching, edging, and overall landscape design execution.
Ensure campus appearance aligns with Landon’s standards of excellence and curb appeal.
Oversee the health, maintenance, and long-term management of all campus trees.
Conduct regular tree inspections to identify disease, pest infestations, structural weaknesses, or safety risks.
Manage tree pruning, trimming, and removal, including emergency response following storms or damage.
Coordinate with certified arborists and external vendors for large-scale removals or specialized treatments.
Develop and manage fertilization and integrated pest management (IPM) programs.
Apply fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides in accordance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
Maintain all required licenses and certifications for chemical applications.
Keep detailed records of applications, inspections, and compliance documentation.
Manage and maintain irrigation systems across campus, including troubleshooting, repairs, and seasonal adjustments.
Monitor water usage and optimize irrigation schedules for efficiency and sustainability.
Coordinate with leadership on long-term water management strategies.
Lead campus-wide snow and ice removal operations, including planning, staffing, and execution.
Ensure timely clearing of walkways, roads, and critical areas to maintain safety and campus operations.
Manage equipment and materials (salt, sand, etc.) for winter readiness.
Supervise, train, and schedule a team of groundskeepers and seasonal staff.
Set performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching and development.
Collaborate with Facilities & Operations leadership on staffing, budgeting, and capital planning.
Coordinate with Athletics, Events, and other departments to align field and campus readiness with programming needs.
Oversee maintenance, repair, and safe operation of all grounds equipment (mowers, aerators, tractors, utility vehicles, chainsaws, and tree-care equipment).
Perform and support general campus maintenance tasks as needed, including minor repairs, preventative maintenance, and support for facilities operations.
Ensure proper storage, inventory, and lifecycle management of tools, equipment, and materials.