FSU Facilities
Overview
Join to apply for the
Director of Grounds Operations
role at
FSU Facilities The Director of Grounds Operations serves as a visionary steward of Florida State University’s physical environment, leading with purpose to cultivate a campus landscape that reflects the excellence, heritage, and innovation of one of the nation’s premier research institutions and one of Forbes recognized 'Best In-State Employers'. This role ensures the beauty, safety, and sustainability of FSU’s grounds through strategic planning, expert horticultural oversight, and collaborative leadership. This role exemplifies what it means to do meaningful work in service of a vibrant academic mission.
Ensures the quality, service, and efficiency of the daily operations of the FSU Nursery, athletic field maintenance, landscaping, President’s House, Innovation Park, and surrounding Tallahassee-area satellite properties by providing leadership and strategic direction in the planning and coordinating of horticulture, landscape maintenance irrigation, and tree stewardship. Establishes and maintains communication and coordination with Facilities management, Athletics, and University leadership. Directs Grounds-related emergency operations for weather related events that have a direct impact on the continuous operations of the university.
Develops and ensures adherence to appropriate landscape maintenance standards and schedules for all aspects of landscape and grounds maintenance, maximizing the effectiveness of the resources allocated. Develops long-term strategic plans and master plans for the campus landscape and its renewal; develops priorities for campus site improvements.
Serves as the campus landscape architect, provides oversight and consistency in campus landscape architecture and adherence with the University design standards. Collaborates with university planners, architects, and facilities staff to review and approve landscape designs needed for existing areas, new construction, and renovation plans. Liaisons with construction project managers and architects on minor and major capital construction and renovation projects to ensure landscape design and maintenance is integrated with project plans. Represents Grounds by serving as a member of Facilities and Planning, Design & Construction committees to plan and develop future facilities. Maintains and updates the landscape related sections of the University Design Guidelines.
Responsible for developing and administering the annual budget for assigned areas and ensuring appropriate allocation and expenditure of resources in these areas; monitors and controls expenditures to assure compliance with budgetary constraints. Establishes contracts with vendors and coordinates related services.
Provides leadership and direction in policy development and implementation relating to assigned areas; interprets and administers policies established by federal, state, and local agencies; ensures compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
Qualifications Master's degree and five years experience related to facilities and/or grounds services or a Bachelor's degree and seven years of related experience.
Two years of experience must be in a supervisory role.
Preferred Qualifications
The ideal candidate will hold a degree in one of the following fields and demonstrate most, if not all, of the following competencies:
Horticulture
Turf Management
Core Competencies Strategic Management: Aligns people, processes, and tasks with university-wide strategic objectives; fosters collaboration across departments and stakeholders.
Policy & Process Development: Designs, implements, and evaluates policies, procedures, and workflows to support organizational effectiveness.
Communication & Documentation: Communicates clearly and professionally in both verbal and written formats; documents new and existing processes for transparency and consistency.
Leadership & Team Management: Provides direction in programmatic, budgetary, and operational functions; cultivates team effectiveness, creativity, and adaptability.
Problem Solving & Decision Making: Analyzes complex issues, evaluates options, and implements solutions; makes informed purchasing decisions based on independent research and judgment.
Compliance & Governance: Interprets and applies federal, state, local, and university policies, laws, and regulations to ensure compliance and informed decision-making.
Project Planning: Applies principles and practices of project planning, development, and evaluation to ensure successful outcomes.
Facilities Operations: Understands processes, procedures, and methods used in facilities operations and management.
Fiscal Control: Utilizes knowledge of fiscal control systems to manage budgets and financial resources responsibly.
Conflict Resolution: Employs conflict resolution skills to address and resolve workplace challenges constructively.
Emergency Communications: Demonstrates knowledge of emergency communications and hazard response protocols, procedures, and practices.
Grounds & Landscape Techniques: Possesses proficiency in landscaping and groundskeeping techniques.
Architecture & Landscape Design: Applies advanced knowledge of architectural principles and landscape design practices.
Candidates with relevant licensure and/or professional certifications are strongly preferred.
University Information
One of the nation's elite research universities, Florida State University preserves, expands, and disseminates knowledge in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, while embracing a philosophy of learning strongly rooted in the traditions of the liberal arts and critical thinking. Founded in 1851, Florida State University is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. FSU is a community steeped in tradition that fosters research and encourages creativity. At FSU, there’s the excitement of being part of a vibrant academic and professional community, surrounded by people whose ideas are shaping tomorrow’s news! Learn moreabout our university and campuses.
Anticipated Salary Range
The anticipated hiring range for this position is $115,000 to $145,000, commensurate with the candidate’s education and experience.
FSU Total Rewards
FSU offers a robust Total Rewards package. Visit ourwebsiteto learn more about our Compensation, Benefits, Wellness, Recognition, and Employee Development programs. Use ourinteractive toolto calculate Total Compensation options based on potential salary, benefits and retirement contributions, earned leave, and other employment-related perks.
How To Apply
If qualified and interested in a specific job opening as advertised, apply to Florida State University at https://jobs.fsu.edu. If you are a current FSU employee, apply via myFSU > Self Service. Applicants are required to complete the online application with all applicable information. Applications must include all work history up to ten years, and education details even if attaching a resume.
Considerations
This is an A&P position. This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check. This position is open until filled. FSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Join to apply for the
Director of Grounds Operations
role at
FSU Facilities The Director of Grounds Operations serves as a visionary steward of Florida State University’s physical environment, leading with purpose to cultivate a campus landscape that reflects the excellence, heritage, and innovation of one of the nation’s premier research institutions and one of Forbes recognized 'Best In-State Employers'. This role ensures the beauty, safety, and sustainability of FSU’s grounds through strategic planning, expert horticultural oversight, and collaborative leadership. This role exemplifies what it means to do meaningful work in service of a vibrant academic mission.
Ensures the quality, service, and efficiency of the daily operations of the FSU Nursery, athletic field maintenance, landscaping, President’s House, Innovation Park, and surrounding Tallahassee-area satellite properties by providing leadership and strategic direction in the planning and coordinating of horticulture, landscape maintenance irrigation, and tree stewardship. Establishes and maintains communication and coordination with Facilities management, Athletics, and University leadership. Directs Grounds-related emergency operations for weather related events that have a direct impact on the continuous operations of the university.
Develops and ensures adherence to appropriate landscape maintenance standards and schedules for all aspects of landscape and grounds maintenance, maximizing the effectiveness of the resources allocated. Develops long-term strategic plans and master plans for the campus landscape and its renewal; develops priorities for campus site improvements.
Serves as the campus landscape architect, provides oversight and consistency in campus landscape architecture and adherence with the University design standards. Collaborates with university planners, architects, and facilities staff to review and approve landscape designs needed for existing areas, new construction, and renovation plans. Liaisons with construction project managers and architects on minor and major capital construction and renovation projects to ensure landscape design and maintenance is integrated with project plans. Represents Grounds by serving as a member of Facilities and Planning, Design & Construction committees to plan and develop future facilities. Maintains and updates the landscape related sections of the University Design Guidelines.
Responsible for developing and administering the annual budget for assigned areas and ensuring appropriate allocation and expenditure of resources in these areas; monitors and controls expenditures to assure compliance with budgetary constraints. Establishes contracts with vendors and coordinates related services.
Provides leadership and direction in policy development and implementation relating to assigned areas; interprets and administers policies established by federal, state, and local agencies; ensures compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
Qualifications Master's degree and five years experience related to facilities and/or grounds services or a Bachelor's degree and seven years of related experience.
Two years of experience must be in a supervisory role.
Preferred Qualifications
The ideal candidate will hold a degree in one of the following fields and demonstrate most, if not all, of the following competencies:
Horticulture
Turf Management
Core Competencies Strategic Management: Aligns people, processes, and tasks with university-wide strategic objectives; fosters collaboration across departments and stakeholders.
Policy & Process Development: Designs, implements, and evaluates policies, procedures, and workflows to support organizational effectiveness.
Communication & Documentation: Communicates clearly and professionally in both verbal and written formats; documents new and existing processes for transparency and consistency.
Leadership & Team Management: Provides direction in programmatic, budgetary, and operational functions; cultivates team effectiveness, creativity, and adaptability.
Problem Solving & Decision Making: Analyzes complex issues, evaluates options, and implements solutions; makes informed purchasing decisions based on independent research and judgment.
Compliance & Governance: Interprets and applies federal, state, local, and university policies, laws, and regulations to ensure compliance and informed decision-making.
Project Planning: Applies principles and practices of project planning, development, and evaluation to ensure successful outcomes.
Facilities Operations: Understands processes, procedures, and methods used in facilities operations and management.
Fiscal Control: Utilizes knowledge of fiscal control systems to manage budgets and financial resources responsibly.
Conflict Resolution: Employs conflict resolution skills to address and resolve workplace challenges constructively.
Emergency Communications: Demonstrates knowledge of emergency communications and hazard response protocols, procedures, and practices.
Grounds & Landscape Techniques: Possesses proficiency in landscaping and groundskeeping techniques.
Architecture & Landscape Design: Applies advanced knowledge of architectural principles and landscape design practices.
Candidates with relevant licensure and/or professional certifications are strongly preferred.
University Information
One of the nation's elite research universities, Florida State University preserves, expands, and disseminates knowledge in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, while embracing a philosophy of learning strongly rooted in the traditions of the liberal arts and critical thinking. Founded in 1851, Florida State University is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. FSU is a community steeped in tradition that fosters research and encourages creativity. At FSU, there’s the excitement of being part of a vibrant academic and professional community, surrounded by people whose ideas are shaping tomorrow’s news! Learn moreabout our university and campuses.
Anticipated Salary Range
The anticipated hiring range for this position is $115,000 to $145,000, commensurate with the candidate’s education and experience.
FSU Total Rewards
FSU offers a robust Total Rewards package. Visit ourwebsiteto learn more about our Compensation, Benefits, Wellness, Recognition, and Employee Development programs. Use ourinteractive toolto calculate Total Compensation options based on potential salary, benefits and retirement contributions, earned leave, and other employment-related perks.
How To Apply
If qualified and interested in a specific job opening as advertised, apply to Florida State University at https://jobs.fsu.edu. If you are a current FSU employee, apply via myFSU > Self Service. Applicants are required to complete the online application with all applicable information. Applications must include all work history up to ten years, and education details even if attaching a resume.
Considerations
This is an A&P position. This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check. This position is open until filled. FSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr