Director, Campus Grounds and Landscape - Facilities Services - Kennesaw State University : Job Details

Job Title: Director, Campus Grounds and Landscape - Facilities ServicesLocation: Kennesaw, GeorgiaRegular/Temporary: RegularFull/Part Time: Full-TimeJob ID: 283922About Us

Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower our 47,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Come Take Flight at KSU!

Location

Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Job Summary

Responsible for the overall appearance, safety, and care of university landscape grounds and team. Coordinates department work ensuring policy and procedure protocols are followed and oversees emergency response for various weather conditions and natural disasters on both campuses. Provides strategic and aspirational vision for campus grounds, ensuring they meet the highest standards of a world-class university. Leads multi-disciplinary teams in landscape design, maintenance, and sustainability efforts, while continually improving service quality and operational efficiency. Develops and implements comprehensive training programs in safety, general landscaping education, and sustainable landscape practices. Collaborates with the Planning and Design, Sustainability, Science and Research, and Environmental Health and Safety departments on new construction, landscape enhancements, and capital projects. Manages all aspects of the department's staff, budget, contract administration, and reporting related to the department.

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:1. Manages daily operations of the Landscape and Grounds department, ensuring efficient use of resources and adherence to best practices2. Oversees full-time staff, temporary labor, and vendors, including hiring, training, performance management, and disciplinary actions as needed3. Oversees the design and maintenance of campus landscapes and grounds, ensuring they meet world-class standards4. Manages department budgets and one-time funding projects, including purchasing, invoicing, and contractor management5. Develops and implements services, programs, and training for staff and student workers, focusing on professional development and landscape management education6. Leads and supports the University's sustainability initiatives related to landscape and grounds management7. Maintains the University arboretum and Trees USA certification8. Prepares key performance indicator reports, collects, and analyzes data, and provides reports on department activities9. Work closely with Planning, Design, and Construction (PDC) project managers and Sustainability, leadership, and external agencies on land use, construction projects, and landscape management10. Leads grounds emergency response planning and execution for natural disasters, including snow and/or ice removal and storm damage mitigation11. Guides the creation and implementation of long-term landscape plans, ensuring consistency with University goals, standards, and building design guidelines12. Provides technical guidance on landscape design, safety, and pedestrian traffic in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders13. Reviews landscape plans and integrates them with University construction projects, ensuring aesthetic, operational, and safety standards are met14. Serves as the department's public representative, promoting the University's landscape efforts and collaborating with stakeholders15. Ensures compliance with environmental and safety regulations and creates a culture of safety within the department

Required Qualifications

Educational RequirementsBachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Forestry, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.Other Required QualificationsCurrent, valid, and unrestricted driver's licenseRequired ExperienceEight (8) years of experience in leadership overseeing multiple teams and managing operations across various sites simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Preferred QualificationsCertified Arborist with ISA or TCIAA organizationsProfessional credentials or certifications related to horticulture, forestry, landscape architecture, and business managementPreferred Educational QualificationsAn advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field

Proposed Salary

The midpoint of the salary range is $96,000. Offers are based on relevant experience.

Comprehensive benefits to include Medical, Dental, Vision, 13 paid holidays, vacation, generous retirement plans, tuition waiver, wellness options, and much more! Visit hr.kennesaw.edu/benefits.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIESAble to delegate tasks, give clear directions, and develop positive relationships across all departmentsAble to lead during inclement weather or emergency situations and provide on-site support as neededCollaborates with other departments to improve mobility, safety, and accessibility across campus propertiesServes as a subject matter expert on landscape design trends, safety practices, and environmental sustainability effortsAble to work in the field with crews during peak seasons or emergenciesRequires 24/7 on-call availability for campus emergenciesAble to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlinesKNOWLEDGEExpertise in managing large-scale landscape projects, budget oversight, and contractor coordinationKnowledge of plant identification, pruning, planting techniques, and cultural requirements of plants and treesStrong background in sustainable landscaping initiatives and urban forestry principlesSKILLSExcellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management, presentation skills, team building and conflict resolution skillsSkilled in reading and interpreting plans, drawings, and maps, with proficiency in using computer programs (Microsoft Office, financial management systems, work management software, etc.)Travel may be required, including overnight stays for conferences or site visitsProficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite)Strong attention to detail and follow up skillsStrong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, [email protected]

Other Information

This is a supervisory position.This position has financial responsibilities.This position will be required to drive.This role is considered a position of trust.This position requires a purchasing card (P-Card).This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time

Background Check

• Credit Report
• Standard Enhanced
• Education
• DMV
• 9 Panel Lab Drug Test

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screeningresults which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.

All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.

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