Supervisor, Grounds

Rice University•Houston, TX

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Grounds team consists of 20-plus groundskeepers, arborists, and other specialists who develop and maintain our 300-acre, tree-lined campus in an environmentally sensitive and aesthetically pleasing manner. This dedicated team works throughout the year in all weather conditions while caring for our trees, fields, gardens, and lawns. Our mission is to create a great first impression and support the university’s mission of teaching and research through our effective and innovative stewardship of the campus landscape. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Campus Grounds, the Grounds Supervisor directs and oversees daily field operations to ensure the efficient execution of landscape maintenance and campus upkeep. The Supervisor enforces operational efficiency, safety protocols, and rigorous quality control across assigned functional areas, including turf mowing, solid waste removal, recycling, and pest control. Additionally, this role manages administrative duties such as scheduling, resource allocation, and performance tracking to ensure all operations are executed on time and precisely aligned with the high standards and strategic direction set by the Assistant Director and Director of Campus Grounds & Landscape Design. The ideal candidate is a results-driven landscaping professional with a deep passion for horticulture and at least three years of grounds management experience, preferably within a higher education campus or equivalent high-quality setting. They must be an effective people manager capable of managing a bilingual group of direct reports to effectively direct operations and execute administrative duties.

Requirements

Associate degree in Horticulture, Resource Management, Environmental Science, Sports Field Management, or a related field
3+ years of related experience in a leadership role in landscape maintenance, furniture moving, recycling, or a related field, including at least 2 years of supervisory experience
Must possess (or have the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire) and maintain a valid Texas driver’s license with no more than three moving violations and/or at-fault accidents within the past 36 months, and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past five years.
Dependability
Ability to follow instructions and manage multiple priorities
Advanced knowledge of grounds maintenance
Strong interpersonal skills
Leadership skills
Advanced knowledge of proper equipment use and maintenance
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Advanced knowledge of grounds maintenance and custodial practices

Nice To Haves

Vocational training, college coursework, or an Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Grounds Maintenance, Horticulture, Resource Management, Environmental Science, or a related field
Prior experience working within a university or higher education campus environment
Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (ability to speak, read, and understand Spanish is strongly preferred)
Experience utilizing technology and work task systems such as TRIRIGA or equivalent work control/facilities management software
Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Certified Pest Control Applicator License or a relevant Chemical Application License
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Licensed Irrigator certification
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist, Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) certification, Certified Grounds Technician certification, or other grounds management-related certifications

Responsibilities

Supervises, leads, and assigns daily tasks to the grounds and custodial crew to ensure efficient execution of landscape maintenance, horticulture, and campus upkeep.
Manages assigned grounds operations, such as turf mowing, solid waste/recycling removal, irrigation systems, and pest control.
Handles administrative duties, including crew scheduling, work order tracking, resource allocation, and recordkeeping, to ensure all operations and projects are completed on time.
Evaluates staff performance, provides counseling, and delivers on-the-job training (including commercial outdoor power equipment safety and upkeep) to maintain a skilled, safe, and accountable workforce.
Ensures high-quality control, adherence to safety protocols, and alignment with the strategic direction set by the Assistant Director and Director of Campus Grounds & Landscape Design.
Conducts routine inspections of assigned areas to ensure cleaning and landscaping standards are consistently met.
May assist with general landscape maintenance activities, including mowing, edging, trimming, pruning, raking, planting, watering, weeding, tree and shrub care, minor irrigation repair, and weed control.
Performs all other duties as assigned.