Grounds Manager

Permanent, full-time position – Guelph, ON

 

The Grounds Manager is a vital position responsible for the overall maintenance, safety, and aesthetic appeal of the University of Guelph’s 4-hectare campus grounds. This role is integral to creating a welcoming and safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. You will oversee a dedicated team of groundskeepers and machinery operators, manage a substantial budget, and ensure that the campus landscape is maintained to the highest standards.

 

Your key responsibilities will include:

Management of Grounds:

• Oversee the maintenance of all soft and hard landscapes, ensuring that the campus grounds are well-manicured, attractive, and safe while providing support to specific colleges or departments as required.
• Develop and manage a snow-removal program to keep essential areas clear and safe during winter months.
• Identify and mitigate potential risks on campus grounds, such as hazardous trees or erosion issues.

 

Team Supervision:

• Lead and manage a team of 8 machinery operators, 6 gardeners, and 1 arborist, including scheduling and task assignment.
• Effectively manage all human resources items as they arise, including performance management.
• Ensure all team members receive appropriate health and safety training.
• Foster a positive work environment, and motivate staff to maintain high standards in grounds maintenance.

 

Administrative Duties:

• Manage a $2.6M budget, including preparing and authorizing purchases and expenses.
• Schedule and plan workforce activities, including overtime, staffing levels, and student workers, monitor daily time records and make data-based decisions for future work requirements.
• Stay updated on government regulations regarding chemicals, pesticides, and other grounds maintenance aspects.

 

Grounds Development & Maintenance:

• Develop and maintain a sustainable landscape for the campus, including the care of sports fields, ornamental gardens, general turf areas, and an extensive tree inventory.
• Collaborate with community horticulture projects and academic research when needed.

 

Waste Management:

• Oversee communication between sustainability, custodial, and contractors to dispose of various types of waste.
• Supervise a large-scale manure composting operation, coordinating with relevant departments.

 

Long-Range Planning:

• Plan for future landscape maintenance, development, and equipment needs.
• Participate in the Landscape Advisory Committee, and contribute to procedure manual development.

 

Public Relations:

• Serve as a liaison with customers, salespeople, and university administration.
• Assist the community with horticultural information, and promote the University’s campus through public engagement.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for the role of Grounds Manager, you must be a trained horticulturist with solid leadership and team-building experience and an extensive background in grounds and turf management, and whose profile includes:

• 2-year college diploma or an undergraduate degree in Horticulture.
• 4 years’ trades-related experience.
• 2 years’ supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of ornamental horticulture and turf management.
• Proven experience in grounds management, preferably in a large institutional or campus setting.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Experience managing budgets and departmental expenses.
• Knowledge of horticulture, landscape maintenance, and snow-removal techniques.
• Ability to develop and implement safety procedures and risk mitigation strategies.
• Excellent communication and public relations skills.
• Knowledge of safe operation of on-the-road equipment and grounds equipment.

 

What would give you the edge?

• Pesticide License (land and structural).
• Integrated Pest Management Certificate.
• ISA Certified Arborist.
• Strong computer skills with expert-level ability with databases and MS Office suite.
• Knowledge of horticulture software such as ArcGIS considered an asset.
• Excellent communication, leadership ability, and excellent analytical abilities using sound judgement and creativity in decision-making.
• Human Resources Management Certification.

 

Why Join Us?

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the outdoor environment of our prestigious university, contributing to the overall student experience and the community’s engagement with the campus. You’ll work with a dedicated team, and have the resources to maintain and enhance one of Ontario's most beautiful campuses.

 

The University of Guelph (www.uoguelph.ca) is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive comprehensive institutions, with a record of outstanding scholarship in the arts, humanities, social sciences, life sciences, physical and engineering sciences, agriculture and veterinary sciences. This is your chance to join us in our endeavour to improve life.

 

To view a detailed posting for the role of Grounds Manager, please go to our website at www.uoguelph.ca/hr/careers.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.