Head of Grounds (Construction Services)

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access fuel innovation and creativity and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863 UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching research scholarship and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse equitable and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valuedand thrives and offers a full range of undergraduate graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental social economic and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

The Head of Grounds (Construction Services) responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of grounds-related construction maintenance and improvement collaboration with other Heads of Grounds Services the incumbent may also oversee various functions across the entire Grounds Department includingmaintenance repair and upgrade of the campus landscape hardscape and waste handling systems.

Essential Functions

• Supervises and coordinates a multi-disciplinary grounds and construction staff responsible for landscape hardscape and waste handling maintenance and upgrades.
• Plans directs and manages in-house and contracted construction and upgrade projects related to campus grounds including scope budget schedule resources and quality control.
• Ensures that staff are equipped with the necessary tools inventory and equipment by planning coordinating and managing resource allocation to support efficient and uninterrupted work operations.
• Provides technical expertise and assistance to the University in construction services and participates in the development of related policies and programs.
• Ensures the upkeep repair and improvement of campus hardscape elements (e.g. walkways roads walls) and softscape elements (plants turf trees) as well as waste handling systems and underground utilities.
• Uses work management tools and software to assign tasks and promote efficient operations.
• Procures oversees and inspects contracted services for specialized grounds and construction projects.
• Participates in coordination and execution of snow and ice removal operations campus-wide including off-campus satellite locations.
• Provides leadership continuity in the absence of higher-level managers and supporting campus-wide outdoor events through grounds services.
• Collaborates with campus stakeholders responding to campus community needs and promoting high service standards.
• Ensures all operations comply with safety codes environmental regulations and university policies.
• Researches and implements new products equipment and practices to enhance efficiency safety and sustainability.
• Hires trains supervises and evaluates full-time and seasonal staff; manages performance and workplace issues in coordination with Human Resources and Labor Relations.
• Ensures that vehicles and construction equipment are properly maintained and serviced.
• Manages and supports outdoor campus events including landscape maintenance waste handling and logistics.
• Maintains availability for on-call rotations snow removal and emergency response.
• Uses University vehicles to travel to work sites as required.
  
  
  

Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  
  

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge Skills Abilities Education Experience Certifications Licensure)

• Minimum of five (5) years experience in the maintenance repair upgrade of landscape or hardscape systems or in project management within construction services.
• Minimum of two (2) years experience supervising a multi-disciplined work team in grounds maintenance waste handling or construction fields.
• Commercial Drivers License Class B.
• Massachusetts Hoisting Engineers License Class 2A.
• Knowledge of the equipment materials maintenance procedures and safety practices in the maintenance repair and upgrade of campus landscape hardscape and waste management systems.
• Ability to give and follow complex oral and written instruction including maintaining accurate records and reports.
• Ability to read and interpret plans specifications blueprints drawings and documents.
• Ability to understand explain and apply the policies procedures standards and guidelines governing the assigned work team. Must be capable of working in a union environment and understanding the labor relations aspects involved with unionized employees.
• Ability to work for extended periods of time and varying climactic conditions.
• Ability to draw plans and write specifications for hardscape/landscape projects and to estimate time and costs for such work.
• Certificate of University Supervisory Leadership Development within one (1) year of hire.
  
  

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Must be available for rotating on-call second and third shift assignments; scheduled overtime during emergencies; and scheduled stand-by shifts. This position is classified as essential personnel.
• Must provide University with current contact information and phone number.
  
  
  

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday 6:00am - 2:00pm.

Salary Information

• PSU-B Pay Grade 18.
• Non-Exempt Salary Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.