Grounds Supervisor

Sweet Briar is a liberal arts college for women with a long history of forging female leaders. After a near closure in 2015, the College was saved by its alumnae and underwent dramatic transformation. Today Sweet Briar College is repeatedly named by the US News and World Report as one of the most innovative liberal arts colleges in the nation. Sweet Briar College is financially stable and actively growing again, attracting students who are drawn to it for its excellent liberal arts program, coupled with distinctive programs in women leaders hip, engineering, sustainability, arts and its legendary equestrian program.

Located in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains approximately 12 miles north of Lynchburg and 54 miles south of Charlottesville. Its campus is one of the nation’s most spectacular, replete with nature sanctuaries, lakes, forests, trails, and most recently, vineyards, apiary and greenhouses.
The College boasts a modern core curriculum focused on women's leadership in the 21st century and undergraduate programs in the arts, sciences and humanities, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching. It is one of only two women’s colleges in the United States with an ABET-accredited engineering degree.

The women’s leadership core curriculum is innovative and energizing. When students graduate, they are persuasive communicators who know how to think on their feet and bring people together. No matter what they study or where they go, Sweet Briar women are prepared to lead. The campus community is a family of faculty, staff, coaches, and alumnae who support and encourage students and each other. With an average class size of eight students, students lead research, ask questions and forge supportive relationships with faculty that can last for decades.

Job Title: Grounds Supervisor

Classification: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Director of Grounds & Projects

Job Summary/Objective: The Grounds Supervisor directs and supervises employees engaged in the daily maintenance and beautification of facility grounds.

Position Type/Expected Work Hours: Normal work hours will be Monday through Friday - Winter hours 7:00am to 3:30pm and Summer hours 6:00am to 2:30pm. Overtime is to be excepted and weekend work may also be required for events and special projects as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Will supervise Groundskeepers and Horticulturalist.
• Supervise the preparation of seed beds, plantings and transplanting.
• Determines need, orders, and maintains inventory of departmental supplies.
• Develops and conducts training programs for new and present departmental employees.
• Assists in coordination of projects with outside contractors.
• Organize and direct all snow and ice removal, including shoveling by hand.
• Makes recommendations concerning the hiring, advancement, discipline, and discharge of employees.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Plan, schedule and record all grounds maintenance efforts including: irrigation, mowing, fertilization, pruning, spraying and equipment preventive maintenance.
• Maintain accurate records for chemical use and maintenance work performed including mowing, seeding, fertilization, aeration and pesticide use.
• Implement landscaping plans including grading, planting, pruning.
• Insure that all grounds care is performed with all safety and applicable regulations taken into consideration.
• Inspect all grounds care operations to insure quality control.
• Manage care and maintenance of all interior plantings and landscaping.
• Provide and maintain proper trash disposal containers, bike racks, outdoor seating.
• Empty outside trash containers and keep all properties free of litter.
• Responsible to maintain and repair all campus drives and parking lots and make recommendations regarding long-term care and preventive maintenance.
• Conduct inspection of facilities and equipment to insure compliance with safety, sanitation and operating standards and initiates corrective action when necessary.
• Recommends equipment and landscaping changes to Director of Grounds and Projects.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to perform supervisory and administrative duties.
• Comprehensive, working knowledge of all aspects of grounds operations.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Have a valid driver’s license and insurability.
• Virginia Commercial Applicators (Not for Hire).
• Experience operating heavy equipment such as Bobcat or tractor, backhoe, and mowing equipment
• Operate handheld equipment such as blowers, weed eaters, and etc.
• Operate and perform maintenance checks on lawn mowing equipment.
• Operate and perform maintenance checks on large equipment to include bucket truck, skid steer, tractor, backhoe and trash truck

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or related field with a minimum of three years of supervisory experience.

Work Environment:

• Requires extensive walking and the ability to work in all types of weather.
• Requires full range of body motion, including reaching, stooping, kneeling, climbing and walking.
• Must be able to lift/carry up to 80lbs.
• Requires standing/walking for extended periods of time.
• Must have good vision, with or without corrective devices.

Travel: N/A

Deadline for Submission: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive
listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other
duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without
notice.

How to Apply: If applying for a faculty or staff position, please ensure you have attached a
cover letter, résumé and three professional references to your online application, and that
you have fully completed the online applicant profile information.