Towson University (TU) has earned distinction as both a top-100 public university and one of the nation's great colleges to work for. Located north of Baltimore, TU currently enrolls over 19,000 students and is the second-largest university in the prestigious University System of Maryland. Towson University fosters a climate that is grounded in respect to cultivating the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.

The Groundskeeper Supervisor supervises groundskeepers while performing manual labor in the maintenance of grounds, stormwater, hardscape, site furnishings, and facilities. This role assists Landscape Technician Supervisors, and monitors crew job performance, while determining daily work schedules and priorities for maintenance crews and personnel training. This position performs activities in all types of weather conditions while ensuring readiness and safety of both landscape equipment and personnel for assigned tasks. This position requires a broad range of skill sets. The standard workday for this position is Monday-Friday, 6:00am-2:30pm.

Responsibilities and Duties

• While working alongside landscape technicians and other personnel, supervise ground maintenance activities, including cultivating, planting, watering, fertilizing, weeding, gardens; pruning trees, and /or, mowing lawns as needed. Performs and demonstrates knowledge of properly mixing and applying liquid weed control.
• Coordinates and determines work priorities, plans schedules, assigns work, trains subordinate personnel. Ensures PM (Preventative Maintenance) Crews and Groundskeepers have adequate supplies and tools to complete the assigned tasks.
• Ensures the operational readiness and safety of equipment such as mowers, tillers, sweepers, snow blowers, edgers, shovels, and small vehicles. Perform routine assembly, cleaning and maintenance of equipment as needed. Ensure adequate supplies, materials and equipment are maintained in the department. Directs the removal of trash and debris from assigned areas. Assists in the maintenance of outdoor furnishings and playgrounds, as necessary.
• Performs the removal of snow and ice from assigned areas using hand and power snow removal equipment. Spread salt, sand, and deicers to prevent slipping. Ensure post storm snow equipment cleaning and storage. 
• Monitor work and perform staff reviews. Maintains written reports and records. Prepares and completes daily reports in Maintenance Connection.
• Performs groundskeeper and other duties as required. This position is an Essential Personnel position for emergencies such as snow removal, special events, storm damage, power outages and other emergencies that occur.

Qualifications and Skills

• Three years in groundskeeping in a lead or supervisory capacity.

General knowledge of ground maintenance practices; of the methods and techniques for cultivating, planting, mowing, and caring for lawns, gardens, shrubs, and trees; of procedures for mixing and applying pesticides and other chemicals. Thorough knowledge of and skill in the operation and proper care of assigned hand and power tools and equipment. Skill in organizing and coordinating the grounds maintenance work; in providing guidance and instruction to groundskeepers. Ability to read, write, and perform arithmetic calculations; to follow oral and written instructions; communicate effectively; to supervise and train groundskeepers; to operate and perform minor maintenance on assigned hand and power tools and equipment; to perform work in, on, around, under and over trees, shrubs, buildings and facilities; to work at heights up to 35 feet (roof gardens); to perform physical work requiring bending, stooping, reaching, carrying, and frequent heavy lifting; to work in adverse weather conditions; to wear and work in personal protective equipment.

This is an Essential Personnel position for emergency preparedness – snow and ice removal, special events, storm damage, power outages, etc.

Employee will be required to take additional Training Sessions but not limited to: Ladder Training, Confined spaces, heat stress. A valid Maryland Class C or equivalent driver's license is required. Candidates selected for employment may be subject to medical inquiries and/or medical examinations to determine ability to perform the job.

Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 college credits being equivalent to one year of experience.

Salary and Benefits 

$44,053 annually and full University benefits that includes annual leave, up to 17 holidays, personal and sick days; excellent health, life, and retirement plans; and tuition remission. Applicants with TU or USM service may receive salary credit. When applicable, a 2.5% increase may be added to the annual salary, pending successful completion of the initial six-month probationary period, for this position. To learn more about our benefits, click here. TU also offers a variety of great perks and discounts, which can be found here.

This position will be open for a minimum of 14 days. For consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume with your online application. 

About Towson University

The largest comprehensive university in the Baltimore area, Towson University is nationally recognized for its excellent programs in the arts and sciences, communications, business, health professions, education, fine arts and computer information systems. Located in suburban Towson, eight miles north of Baltimore, our beautifully landscaped, 328-acre setting offers a pleasant environment for study and a diverse campus life, as well as easy access to a wealth of university and community resources. Towson University's educational experience branches out to off-campus locations throughout Maryland, including a number of online options. Our many interdisciplinary partnerships with public and private organizations throughout Maryland provide opportunities for research, internships and jobs. Towson University is a founding member of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU).

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