Director of Park Grounds

Summary: 

The Director of Grounds is responsible for managing all aspects of the grounds maintenance department including turf management, horticulture, volunteer management, and natural resources.  The candidate should have a strong belief in the value of native plants, and the importance of creating a thriving and sustainable urban ecology.  The position oversees the following teams: greenhouse, grounds, sanitation, sports fields, horticulture, volunteer and mechanic shop.  A Natural Resources team will be developed and will also report to the Director.   

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Other duties may be assigned 

• Provide for the administration, planning, and implementation and coordination of a comprehensive program of grounds maintenance within City Park. 
• Work with consultants, and oversee the conversion of non-native areas to native landscapes including establishment and ongoing maintenance. 
• Direct ground crews engaged in maintaining the physical appearance of the Park, gardens, waterways, native areas, turf, and other display.  
• Oversee greenhouse program, focusing on propagating native species for use within the Park, and supporting periodic public engagement events at the greenhouse. 
• Direct Natural Resources crew in managing the overall health of the natural landscapes, wooded areas, wetlands and lagoon system.  This may include site monitoring, record keeping, invasive species removal and control, brush clearing, canopy clearing, and composting of organic materials. 
• Direct forest planning strategies in conformance to forest compliance (NEPA) and forest restoration projects. 
• Direct waterways and wetlands management strategies and guide the development of conservation strategies. 
• Support a robust volunteer program that offsets the needs of the grounds department and other departments. 
• Responsible for financial management of grounds maintenance department with regard to accounting records and transactions, budget preparation and control and the purchase, inventory and reporting of equipment and supplies. 
• Recommend annual department budget; forecasts necessary funding for staff, equipment, material, and capital improvement plans. Monitors budget throughout the year. 
• Assist in preparation of grant applications; oversees grant implementation and ensures applicable reporting for County, State and Federal agencies. 
• Ensure necessary safety training and maintenance of equipment/inventory logs.  
• Follow and enforce Park’s tree, water protection, and turf protection policy.  
• Develop and implement Integrated Pest Management program, seeking to significantly reduce use of chemical applications. 
• Assist with enforcement of all Park rules, regulations and ordinances; assists in developing and revising such. 
• Establish priorities and schedules for grounds maintenance equipment, repair or replacement within approved operating budgets.  
• Manage contractors, assist with Requests for Proposals, review bids and select vendors to procure necessary equipment and supplies, and oversee inventory control. 
• Work with other departments, agencies, and consultants in the area of park operation and development. 
• Report regularly to the CEO and COO on operations and services. 
• Participate in the Master Plan capital projects or design projects decisions, providing input and guidance that may impact the overall park maintenance and operations. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for creating a culture of safety, collaboration, entrepreneurship, and developing excellent technical skills among staff.  
• Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the department. 
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. 
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; apprising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. 

Qualifications and Education Requirements: 

• Must have conviction in the importance of creating sustainable urban landscapes, and a willingness to think outside the traditional park management framework. 
• Bachelor’s degree required; Park Management, Natural Resource Management, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Studies or related field preferred; exceptions made for candidates with more than 10 years of directly related experience. 
• Minimum seven years related experience. 
• Must have knowledge of turf management including, but not limited to, lawn maintenance, fertilization, sports fields, and weed control. 
• Should have knowledge of proper care of equipment including, but not limited to, rotary mowers, tractors, gang mowers, string trimmers, and edgers. 
• Should have Horticultural knowledge including, but not limited to, proper pruning techniques, fertilization, and pest management.  
• Should have natural resources management knowledge including establishment techniques and invasive species management. 

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here are those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

Work Environment: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions.  The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock; explosives and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.  

Applicants should include two examples of past experience with implementing new capital projects or overseeing landscapes conversions.  Applicants should also include a statement outlining their experience with and commitment to sustainable land management practices.