Director - Grounds

Director - Grounds

Salary

$84,010.00 - $98,835.00 Annually

Location

Main Campus - Orem

Job Type

FT Exempt Salaried Staff

Job Number

FY2706590

Division

VP Administration/Strategic Rel

Department

Grounds

Opening Date

09/25/2026

Closing Date

10/11/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

Required Documents Needed to Apply

Resume

Applicant Support

1-855-524-5627

Support@schooljobs.com

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Announcement

Join Utah Valley University in a leadership role that helps shape and maintain the campus environment that supports learning, recreation, and community engagement. As the Director of Grounds, you will oversee the stewardship of the universitys landscapes, athletic fields, urban forestry, irrigation systems, and snow removal operations across all university-owned properties. This position offers the opportunity to make a visible and lasting impact on the campus experience while leading complex operations that contribute to the universitys daily success.

The successful candidate will lead a skilled team, manage strategic planning and landscape improvement projects, and guide the allocation of personnel, equipment, and resources to support departmental goals. This role is ideal for a collaborative leader who enjoys balancing long-term planning with hands-on operational management, developing employees, and ensuring the universitys outdoor spaces remain safe, functional, and welcoming year-round. UVU offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic higher education environment where innovation, service, and professional growth are valued.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Directs and manages annual budgets for the organization and performs periodic cost and productivity analysis. Advises the University administration on the funding needs to adequately maintain the campus grounds.
• Designs, establishes, and maintains staffing and an organizational structure to effectively accomplish the department function; recruits, employs, supervises, and evaluates departmental staff; directs the implementation of management development, skills training, and safety and labor relations programs.
• Oversees the overall operations of the Grounds Department. Provides leadership and direction in all aspects of administering grounds management, including landscape design, plant selection, equipment justifications, maintenance of existing equipment, strategic planning, and customer-focused programs.
• Establishes and implements short- and long-range organizational goals, objectives, strategic plans, policies, and operating procedures; monitors and evaluates programmatic and operational effectiveness, and effects changes required for improvement.
• Attends meetings representing the Grounds department both on and off campus.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications

Graduation from an accredited institution with a bachelors degree in a related discipline plus three years of progressive management-level experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience related to the Summary of Duties totaling seven years.

For Example:

• Bachelors degree in a related field and 3 years of progressive management-level experience.
• OR an associate degree in a related field and 5 years of progressive management-level experience.
• OR one year of college coursework (approximately 30 credit hours) in a related field and 6 years of progressive management-level experience.
• OR two years of college coursework (approximately 60 credit hours) in a related field and 5 years of progressive management-level experience.
• OR three years of college coursework (approximately 90 credit hours) in a related field and 4 years of progressive management-level experience.
• OR a high school diploma or GED and 7 years of progressive management-level experience.

Licenses/Certifications:

Certified Grounds Manager or ability to achieve certification within 1 year of employment.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of record-keeping procedures.

• Knowledge of how to create tables, charts, and graphs that interpret and explain needs.

• Knowledge of principles, methods, and techniques of effective supervision.

• Knowledge of mechanical operations and methods of repairing equipment.

• Knowledge of grounds maintenance, horticulture standards, plant life, and landscape design.

• Knowledge of insects and pests that can damage landscaping.

• Knowledge of in-service training and staff development techniques.

• Knowledge of reading blueprints and working with design professionals

• Knowledge of effective public relations techniques.

• Knowledge of effective methods of resolving immediate critical situations.

• Knowledge of sustainable practices in groundskeeping and grounds maintenance

Skills

• Skills in computer software related to the position. Excel, PowerPoint, databases, Word.

• Skill in managing a large team of employees

• Skills in effective problem-solving, decision-making, and interpersonal communication.

• Skill in using tools needed to communicate the needs of the department.

• Skilled in public speaking.

Abilities

• Ability to give clear written and verbal instructions.

• Ability to build teams and foster collaboration.

• Ability to apply general principles effectively to specific conditions.

• Ability to direct the work of other professionals to accomplish the goals of the University.

EEO Statement:

UVU employment decisions are made on the basis of an applicant's qualifications and ability to perform the job without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), disability, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or other bases protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Utah Valley University's dedication to exceptional care offers quality service and benefits to employees while staying committed to meeting the needs of a diverse workforce.

UVU is pleased to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that supports employees and their family's overall physical and mental health, protects their income in case of unforeseen illness and life events, and assists in building financial security for retirement and the future.

Highlights from Utah Valley University's benefits package include:

• Medical network and plan options with low employee premiums
• Employer HSA contribution for those that elect the university's High-Deductible Health Plan
• Other tax advantage, reimbursement account options (i.e. Flexible Spending Account & Dependent Care)
• Dental and vision plan options
• Incentivized wellness program
• Employer paid basic life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), and Long Term Disability (LTD) coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan with an employer contribution of 14.2% based on employee's compensation (100% vested on first day of full-time employment)
• Undergraduate tuition remission benefit waiving up to 18 credit hours (each semester) for employees and their eligible dependents (spouses & children dependents unmarried and up to age 26)
• Generous leave package which includes sick, vacation (staff only), and personal leave; 13 paid holidays; paid medical maternity and parental leave

For more information about the benefits offered, visit https://www.uvu.edu/peopleandculture/benefits.

01

Do you meet the minimum requirements for this position as outlined? Graduation from an accredited institution with a bachelors degree in a related discipline plus three years of progressive management-level experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience related to the Summary of Duties totaling seven years. FOR EXAMPLE: • Bachelors degree in a related field and 3 years of progressive management-level experience. • OR an associate degree in a related field and 5 years of progressive management-level experience. • OR one year of college coursework (approximately 30 credit hours) in a related field and 6 years of progressive management-level experience. • OR two years of college coursework (approximately 60 credit hours) in a related field and 5 years of progressive management-level experience. • OR three years of college coursework (approximately 90 credit hours) in a related field and 4 years of progressive management-level experience. • OR a high school diploma or GED and 7 years of progressive management-level experience.

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?

• <1
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8+

03

What is your highest level of education?

• High School or equivalent
• Associates
• Bachelors
• Masters
• Ph.D.
• Ph.D. (abd)
• Juris Doctorate

04

Have you supervised employees, including hiring, performance management, staff development, and workforce planning?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have experience developing and managing departmental or organizational budgets, including forecasting, cost analysis, and resource allocation?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have experience overseeing grounds, landscaping, irrigation systems, athletic fields, urban forestry, snow removal, or similar operations?

• Yes
• No

07

Have you developed and implemented strategic plans, operational goals, policies, or process improvements for a department or organization?

• Yes
• No

08

Describe your experience managing budgets and organizational resources. Include any examples of cost savings, productivity improvements, or funding recommendations you have presented to leadership.

09

Describe your leadership and supervisory experience, including hiring, employee development, performance management, organizational planning, and achieving departmental goals.

10

What experience do you have leading, hiring, developing, and evaluating employees in a management role?

Required Question

Employer Utah Valley University

Address 800 W. University Parkway

Orem, Utah, 84058

Phone Applicant Support 855-524-5627

Website http://www.uvu.edu