Director of Grounds at Miami University

Director of Grounds at Miami University

Job Type
Full-time
Posting Date
June 22, 2018
Location of Position

Oxford, OH

Company Summary

Welcoming Workplace

Imagine the possibilities with a career at Miami…

Miami University is a major public university with a small college feel.  Creating environments for learning excellence and providing career opportunities in Oxford, Hamilton, Middletown, West Chester and Luxembourg, our faculty and staff are the fuel that drives Miami!

We rank first nationally among public universities for best teaching by U.S. News & World Report.  Our opportunities for growth and advancement aren't limited to students in the classroom.  Our faculty, staff and student employees are highly valued for their contribution toward the Miami experience.

Miami’s main campus is located in Oxford, Ohio, 35 miles north of Cincinnati.  A true college town, Oxford features a wide variety of shops and restaurants within walking distance of the main campus.  Our regional campuses are located in Hamilton, Middletown and the Voice of America  Learning Center in West Chester, Ohio.

Duties and Responsibilities

Job ID:5930  Unclassified – FT (Salary)

The beauty of the campus’ grounds is a key element in recruiting top students, faculty and staff. This position is responsible for developing and implementing landscape planning and maintenance and achieving a high level of park-like quality for a university campus consisting of approximately 180 buildings and 2,600 acres (600 finished) of land.  Responsibilities include contributing to the maintenance of existing landscape, storm water, and circulation master plans. Ensures best practice design standards for campus landscape and hardscape are employed in all project work. Provides leadership, management, and day-to-day direction of campus grounds staff. Position also oversees and coordinates work of outside contractors.  Perform other duties as assigned.

Duties/Physical Demands:

  1. Leadership-Management-Relationship with Superiors – provides direction, focus, guidance, support, prioritization and oversight for supervisory staff and technicians; implements new and/or enforces existing programs, policies, processes and procedures that result in high levels of efficiency, performance, and effectiveness; keep superior informed; be responsive to directives from superiors; support the unit, departmental, and institutional goals
  2. Continuous Improvement – promotes continuous improvement through lean programming; expects a high level of participation throughout all employees in Grounds in lean initiatives; expects Grounds employees to develop and submit continuous improvement ideas on a regular basis; establishes a culture seeking improved service levels with the same or fewer resources
  3. Daily Management – ensures safety is a top priority, directs care of grounds, maintenance and operation of irrigation systems, hardscape installation and repair, maintenance of trees, and horticulture for large in-house grounds staff. The position is responsible for coordinating and implementing snow and ice removal. Establishes work priority and organizational structure to operate in the most efficient and effective manner
  4. Quality Control – maintains a frequent presence in the field providing guidance and feedback to in-house employees and contractors on quality and performance of work. Establishes regular inspection process enabling front-line supervision to provide frequent and consistent guidance on desired quality of work
  5. Design and Construction – coordinates with Planning, Architecture, and Engineering (PAE) and senior leadership for the development of project scope, design and construction documents, estimating, scheduling and project management for renovation and new landscape architecture projects that support and are in response to the Landscape, Storm Water Management, Circulation, and other master plans as applicable. Works closely with project managers in the development and review of project designs and specifications related to new or renovated architectural and engineering capital improvement projects relating to the restoration of grounds
  6. Record Keeping Function – develops policies and work practices that result in accurate and timely tracking of work, labor and material costs; develops/prepares periodic reports detailing performance of the business unit
  7. Personnel Function – enforces work rules; holds subordinates accountable for effectiveness and efficiency; screens job applicants; makes hiring recommendations; participates in administration of discipline
Position Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

  1. Education/Experience – Bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, horticulture or a related field plus a minimum of 3 years of full-time experience in managing contractors or in-house staff grounds/landscape staff preferred; or related associate’s degree plus a minimum of 5 years of full-time experience in managing grounds/landscape staff; or a minimum of 10 years full-time verifiable experience in facilities management or management of skilled trades technicians
  2. Specific Knowledge – in depth knowledge of landscape architecture or horticulture and an understanding of how to engage and lead staff
  3. Communication Skills – ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to a wide range of persons
  4. Customer Service Skills – thorough understanding of modern customer service theories, practices and methods
  5. Managerial Complexity – must be able to successfully handle multiple tasks at once, and be able to determine appropriate priorities; must be able to make independent interpretations and make appropriate decisions that are in the best interest of the organization and that are consistent with the objectives of upper-management
  6. Computer Skills – must be proficient in the use of business application software, to include word processor, spreadsheet, and database programs; must be experienced in the use of a computerized maintenance-management software program

Preferred Qualifications:

  1.  APPA – Certified Educational Facilities Professional
  2.  PGMS – Certified Grounds Manager
Required Experience
Apply Here

Miami University, an EO/AA employer, encourages applications from minorities, women, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Miami does not permit, and takes action to prevent, harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities should be directed to ADAFacultyStaff@MiamiOH.edu or 513-529-3560. Annual Security and Fire Safety Report may be found at: http://www.miamioh.edu/campus-safety/annual-report/index.html. Criminal background check required. All campuses are smoke and tobacco free.