Grounds Supervisor

Landon School seeks a highly skilled and experienced Grounds Supervisor to oversee the care maintenance and long-term stewardship of our 75-acre campus. This individual will bring deep expertise in turf management particularly Bermuda grass athletic fields and high-end landscaping practices consistent with premier institutional campuses.

The Grounds Supervisor will lead all aspects of outdoor operations including athletic field conditioning landscaping irrigation fertilization pesticide application tree care and snow removal. This role requires both hands-on execution and team leadership with a focus on maintaining a safe visually exceptional and highly functional campus environment year-round.

Key Responsibilities

Turf & Athletic Field Management

• Oversee all aspects of turf care across multiple athletic fields with a strong emphasis on Bermuda grass management (seeding aeration topdressing overseeding dethatching and seasonal transitions).
• Develop and execute annual turf management plans to ensure optimal field performance safety and aesthetics.
• Monitor field conditions daily and proactively address wear compaction drainage and weather-related impacts.
• Coordinate field preparation for practices games and special events to ensure high-quality playing surfaces.

Landscape & Grounds Maintenance

• Maintain campus landscaping to a high-end golf courselevel standard including lawns planting beds trees shrubs and ornamental areas.
• Oversee seasonal plantings pruning mulching edging and overall landscape design execution.
• Ensure campus appearance aligns with Landons standards of excellence and curb appeal.

Tree Care & Arbor Management

• Oversee the health maintenance and long-term management of all campus trees.
• Conduct regular tree inspections to identify disease pest infestations structural weaknesses or safety risks.
• Manage tree pruning trimming and removal including emergency response following storms or damage.
• Coordinate with certified arborists and external vendors for large-scale removals or specialized treatments.

Fertilization Pesticides & Compliance

• Develop and manage fertilization and integrated pest management (IPM) programs.
• Apply fertilizers herbicides and pesticides in accordance with all local state and federal regulations.
• Maintain all required licenses and certifications for chemical applications.
• Keep detailed records of applications inspections and compliance documentation.

Irrigation & Water Management

• Manage and maintain irrigation systems across campus including troubleshooting repairs and seasonal adjustments.
• Monitor water usage and optimize irrigation schedules for efficiency and sustainability.
• Coordinate with leadership on long-term water management strategies.

Snow & Ice Management

• Lead campus-wide snow and ice removal operations including planning staffing and execution.
• Ensure timely clearing of walkways roads and critical areas to maintain safety and campus operations.
• Manage equipment and materials (salt sand etc.) for winter readiness.

Team Leadership & Operations

• Supervise train and schedule a team of groundskeepers and seasonal staff.
• Set performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching and development.
• Collaborate with Facilities & Operations leadership on staffing budgeting and capital planning.
• Coordinate with Athletics Events and other departments to align field and campus readiness with programming needs.

Equipment & General Maintenance

• Oversee maintenance repair and safe operation of all grounds equipment (mowers aerators tractors utility vehicles chainsaws and tree-care equipment).
• Perform and support general campus maintenance tasks as needed including minor repairs preventative maintenance and support for facilities operations.
• Ensure proper storage inventory and lifecycle management of tools equipment and materials.

• 5 years of experience in grounds management turf management arboriculture or a related field; experience at a golf course collegiate athletic facility or high-end campus strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in Bermuda grass and athletic field management.
• Experience with tree care pruning and removal with working knowledge of arboricultural best practices.
• Valid pesticide applicator license (or ability to obtain quickly); arborist certification preferred.
• Strong knowledge of fertilization programs irrigation systems and integrated pest management.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a team in a hands-on environment.
• Experience with snow removal operations and planning.
• Proficiency in operating and maintaining grounds and tree-care equipment.
• Strong organizational communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and lift/move equipment as needed.