Position Title:

Grounds Supervisor

Department/School:

Physical Plant

Salary/Pay Rate:

$95,000 - $110,000

Job Summary:

The University Grounds Supervisor is responsible for the comprehensive care, functionality, and long term stewardship of the university’s outdoor environments. This role requires advanced expertise in horticulture, agronomy, gardening, large scale irrigation systems, and mechanical/small engine maintenance, combined with strong leadership, administrative capability, and operational planning skills. The supervisor manages grounds staff and contractors, oversees the motor pool, and ensures that landscapes, roadways, pavements, and natural areas remain safe, sustainable, and visually exceptional year round.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge of horticulture, agronomy, turf science, irrigation systems, and garden management.
• Experience managing athletic fields, institutional grounds, or municipal landscapes.
• Demonstrated experience with mechanical repair and small‑engine maintenance.
• Experience supervising grounds staff and coordinating contractor work.
• Proficiency with computers, including email, spreadsheets, and digital recordkeeping.
• Experience using online work‑order systems or computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
• Ability to perform payroll and timekeeping functions accurately and on schedule.
• Ability to operate and maintain a wide range of grounds equipment and vehicles.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Possession of a valid New York State Department of Transportation (NYS DOT) Medical Certificate, or ability to obtain one upon hire.
• Ability to obtain pesticide applicator certification if required.

Essential Functions:

• Direct and oversee all campus grounds and landscape operations, including turf management, ornamental plantings, tree and shrub care, seasonal displays, integrated pest management, and maintenance of athletic fields to Division I standards, ensuring a safe, sustainable, and visually exceptional campus environment.
• Manage and maintain campus irrigation systems, including automated controls, pump stations, valves, distribution networks, and water conservation initiatives; monitor system performance and coordinate repairs, upgrades, and preventative maintenance.
• Supervise, train, schedule, and evaluate grounds personnel and contractors, ensuring efficient daily operations, quality workmanship, compliance with university policies, and adherence to environmental and safety standards.
• Plan and coordinate seasonal and emergency operations, including snow and ice removal, storm response, commencement preparation, event support, leaf removal, and other campus operational needs.
• Oversee the maintenance, repair, and inventory management of grounds equipment, small engines, utility vehicles, and the university motor pool, including preventative maintenance planning and equipment replacement recommendations.
• Utilize computerized systems and perform administrative functions related to work order management, payroll and timekeeping, scheduling, inventories, maintenance records, budgeting support, reporting, and operational documentation.
• Coordinate the maintenance and long-term stewardship of campus infrastructure and natural areas, including roadways, sidewalks, paved surfaces, drainage systems, trails, ecological zones, sustainability initiatives, wildlife management efforts, and campus beautification projects in collaboration with university departments and external vendors.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, botany, horticulture, agronomy, landscape management, or a related field.
• Experience with irrigation system design, snow removal operations, wildlife management, or roadway maintenance.

Required Application Documents:

Resume, Cover Letter, & Contact Information of 3 Professional References 

Benefits:

The position includes a comprehensive benefit package*. Benefits for this position include but are not limited to the following:

• 3 weeks of paid vacation. 4 weeks of paid vacation beginning in the 6th year of employment.
• Unlimited paid sick time.
• 14+ paid holidays per year.
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance programs at a 15% employee / 85% employer contribution rate. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care (FSD).
• Life insurance.
• Generous short-term and long-term disability programs and workers compensation.
• 403(b) defined contribution plan:
  • First 6 years University contributes 7.5%, Employee contributes a mandatory 4%.
  • University contribution increases to 10.5% in year 7, and 12% after 15 years.
  • Employee contribution decreases to 1% in year 7. Remains 1% thereafter.
  • Typical eligibility requirements: 1 year of service and 1,000 hours with Marist University.
• 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity – Roth option available. Voluntary, up to IRS maximum contribution.
• Tuition Benefits:
  • Up to 16 undergraduate credits per semester. Up to 18 graduate credit per academic calendar. Eligibility extends to employee, spouse, and dependent children under age 26.
  • University pays 100% tuition only.
  • Eligible dependents may be Reimbursed up to $2,000 per semester towards tuition at another accredited institution.

*Eligibility requirements including waiting periods and/or employee probationary periods may apply at the discretion of the University.

About Marist University:

Founded in 1929, Marist is a comprehensive, independent four-year institution whose signature educational approach blends the liberal arts with pre-professional studies and emphasizes experiential learning to enrich classroom instruction. With campuses in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Florence, Italy, plus over 70 programs offering a variety of international study, Marist is a portal to the world and is devoted to nurturing a welcoming, inclusive community. Through six schools offering almost 50 majors, Marist cultivates the intellectual growth and well-being of its more than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students and encourages them to color outside traditional academic lines as they pursue coursework and personal experiences that provide valuable occupational expertise and reflect their individual passions. Marist has been acclaimed a top institution in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse, Princeton Review, and others. To learn more, please visit https://www.marist.edu/about 

Type of Position:

Full-time

Classification:

Administrative (Exempt)

Months per Year:

12

Work Schedule:

Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm

Hours per Week:

37.5

Location:

Marist University Main Campus

Number of Position Openings:

1

Equal Employment Statement:

Marist University is committed to creating an inclusive workforce on our campus by ensuring that barriers to equal employment opportunity and upward mobility do not exist here. To this end, the University will strive to achieve the full and fair participation of all members of the Marist community.

Equal opportunity means employment, development, and promotion of individuals without consideration of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or veteran status unless there is a bona fide occupational requirement which excludes persons in one of these protected groups. The University will review its employment policies and procedures to ensure that barriers which may unnecessarily exclude protected groups are identified and eliminated. The University will also explore alternative approaches if any policy or practice is found to have a negative impact on protected groups.

Marist's policy of non-discrimination includes not only employment practices but also extends to all services and programs provided by the University. It shall be considered a violation of University policy for any member of the community to discriminate against any individual or group with respect to employment or attendance at Marist University on the basis of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other condition established by law.