Manager Of Grounds Services, Office Of Physical Plant

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Penn State's Office of Physical Plant Operations Directorate is seeking a Manager of Grounds Services . This position will have management responsibility for the grounds management operation within the Office of Physical Plant at University Park, Pennsylvania. The responsibilities include oversight and management of general landscape operations, tree care, horticultural programs, campus-wide snow removal, compost operations and service level agreements with University departments such as Housing, the Arboretum, and the people, tools, equipment and supplies needed to perform the work. This position will be responsible for budget management, personnel performance, strategic direction, and daily operations of the work unit affecting the entire university.

Finance and Business is a values-driven organization that supports thousands of university faculty, staff, and students, while also providing services to the broader community and society. The Office of Physical Plant is part of the Finance and Business team and is an organization driven by its mission to “Provide Excellent Facilities Services for Penn State.” The Office of Physical Plant's values follow those of Penn State’s and we are especially committed to our vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in Higher Education facilities, environmental, and safety management. In our search for excellence, we foster a unified high-performing team with mutual respect for each person's uniqueness, talents, value, and perspective. We also firmly believe in Penn State’s value of Respect , which encourages us to "respect and honor the dignity of each person, embrace civil discourse, and foster a diverse and inclusive community." As an incoming team member of the Office of Physical Plant, it will be expected that all employees embody and model Penn State's and Finance and Business's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This position will be a direct report to the Assistant Vice President of Operations, Office of Physical Plant and be responsible for supervision of distinct landscape shop operations with specialization in grounds maintenance, horticulture, ornamentals, agronomy, turf science, and arborist crews. The Manager of Grounds Services has responsibility of four direct report supervisors with an overall organization of 100 employees.

Education and experience: Typically requires a Bachelor’s Degree within landscape contracting, landscape architecture, horticultural, forestry or urban forestry, landscape management, turfgrass management or related field and eight years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s Degree preferred.

Additional skills sought for this position include: demonstrated leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities; labor relations experience in a union environment; ability to effectively adapt to and lead change; leadership of safety; employee development; work management and customer service; and quality assurance experience.

We are seeking candidates with the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Contracting
• Forestry
• Work management, resource allocation, and customer service

• Grounds-Operations subject matter expertise or experience within:

  • horticulture

  • arborists/tree care

  • contracting

  • landscape architecture/design/planning

  • snow removal

  • compost operations

  • tree care

  • turfgrass science

  • forestry

• Quality assurance experience and attention to detail
• Arborists/tree care
• Horticulture
• Leadership of safety
• Labor relations experience in a union environment
• Turfgrass science
• Personnel performance, employee development, hiring, and discipline experience
• Snow removal
• Compost operations
• Tree care
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities
• Effectively adapt to and lead change
• Budget management – service budget
• Landscape architecture/design/planning

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here .

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applications without regards to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State Covid-19 Vaccination or Testing Requirements

Penn State is committed to the health of our local and global communities. As a condition of employment, all employees are required to comply with COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements. Click on Penn State Covid-19 Vaccination or Testing Requirements to learn about the requirements as well as general COVID-19 information at Penn State.