GROUNDS - Manager Arboretum/Grounds

Job Classification

  Salaried Administrative

Position summary

This position oversees the Office of the Arboretum through management, maintenance, and enhancement of the university’s arboretum and surrounding landscaped areas. This includes managing daily operations, supervising staff, managing budgets, and aesthetic quality of plant collections and grounds. Additionally, snow and ice removal for sidewalks, and building entries is a key responsibility.

Qualifications summary

This position requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in botany, horticulture, plant science, landscape architecture, or related field.

The position requires established expertise in horticulture, arboriculture, irrigation systems, snow and ice removal, and sustainable landscape practices. Additional preferred experience in personnel and budget management.


Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Duties and responsibilities

Operations & Grounds Management

• Oversee daily operations of the arboretum, including scheduling, workflow coordination, and quality control.


• Maintain lawns, gardens, natural areas, and curated plant collections to high horticultural standards.


• Develop and implement seasonal maintenance plans, including mowing, pruning, mulching, and snow removal.


• Lead and coordinate snow and ice removal operations, including plowing, salting, de-icing, and ensuring safe access to sidewalks, and building entrances.


• Routinely monitor weather conditions and proactively deploy staff and resources for timely snow and ice response.


• Ensure compliance with university policies, environmental regulations, and safety standards.


• Serve on committees as assigned, including event committees (such as Graduation Committee, Arboretum Council) and facility committees.


• Being available through rotating schedule after hours for campus Grounds-type emergencies

Personnel Management

• Supervise, train, and evaluate all employees including full-time staff, part-time employees, and student workers.


• Develop work schedules, assign tasks, and monitor productivity and performance.


• Promote a safe, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.


• Coordinate training programs related to equipment use, safety procedures, horticultural practices, and snow/ice operations.

Irrigation Management

• Design, operate, maintain, and repair irrigation systems across the arboretum.


• Monitor water usage and implement water conservation strategies as needed.


• Troubleshoot system issues and oversee upgrades or expansions.

Tree Care & Arboriculture

• Plan and oversee tree planting, pruning, removal, and risk assessment.


• Maintain tree inventory and health records.


• Implement best practices in arboriculture to ensure long-term vitality and safety.

Planting & Landscape Development

• Plan and execute annual and seasonal planting displays.


• Select appropriate plant materials based on climate, soil conditions, and design goals.

Plant Health Care & Pest Management

• Diagnose plant health issues and implement treatment plans.


• Apply pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers in accordance with regulations and integrated pest management (IPM) principles.


• Maintain accurate records of chemical applications and ensure proper licensing.

Project Management

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee landscape improvement and capital projects.


• Manage timelines, budgets, contractors, and materials.


• Collaborate with campus departments, designers, and external vendors.

Equipment & Fleet Management

• Oversee maintenance, repair, and inventory of Grounds equipment and vehicles, including snow removal equipment.


• Ensure proper usage, storage, and safety compliance.


• Evaluate and recommend equipment purchases or replacements.

Purchasing & Budget Management

• Develop and manage annual operating and project budgets.


• Monitor expenditures and ensure cost-effective use of resources.


• Procure plants, materials, equipment, and services in accordance with university policies.


• Prepare financial reports and forecasts.

Supervisory responsibilities

Leading in personnel decisions (selection, hiring, promotion, discipline, termination, etc.)

Leading in office decisions (scope of work, equipment, supplies, etc.)

Providing employee development and mentorship.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

In addition to the subsections below:

• Ability to rely on experience, training and judgment to execute policies and procedures.


• Ability to work cohesively in a team-oriented environment.


• Advance communication and customer service skills with the faculty, staff, students, and contractors to resolve conflicts or respond to requests for assistance.


• Advanced proficiency in English speaking and writing skills.


• Experiences in leadership and management preferred.


• Must function well while under stress and deadlines.


• Must gave strong problem solving skills.


• Must have excellent human relation skills. 


• Must have or obtain a valid Michigan driver’s license.

Specific Grounds-based qualifications:

• Knowledge of irrigation systems, plant health care, landscape maintenance practices, and snow/ice removal operations.


• Ability to operate and oversee use of landscaping and snow removal equipment.

Education, Experience, and or Certifications

Must have Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Arboriculture, Landscape Management, or related field. Equivalent experience can substitute for degree.

Experience:

• 3–5 years of progressive experience in grounds or arboretum management.


• Experience in a university or public garden setting.


• Experience with budget planning and financial management.

Must have or be capable of obtaining certifications:

• Golf Cart operator’s permit (internal)


• ISA Certified Arborist credential.


• MDARD Pesticide Applicator License in (common core, right of way, ornamentals, and turfgrass) appropriate licensing.


• Occupational safety certifications as appropriate (OSHA 10hr, GHS)


• Powered Industrial Truck operator’s permit

Leadership & Received Direction

Ability to provide leadership to both regular and student employees. Expected to lead by example and be capable of developing leadership skills in subordinates.

Ability to function with limited-to-no direction and provide chain of command with recommendations and guidance on maintaining and improving Grounds operations.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, distances, area, circumference, and volume.  Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to calculate statistical data.


Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Technical competencies

Computer Skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, and Excel.

Equipment & Software Used

• Communications equipment, including radios, phones, messaging applications (Teams)


• Vehicles, including road, off-road vehicles and golf carts


• Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklifts)


• Landscaping equipment/tools


• Snow & ice removal equipment/tools

Metal and wood working tools/equipment

Interpersonal interactions

• Must act professionally and comfortably with all who interact with this office, including:  students, employees, community members, contractors and vendors. 


• Must have a friendly personality and be willing to help "clients" according to their needs. Must also be professional and enforce University policy and process.

Physical demands

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is regularly required to use other senses to talk, hear, taste, and or smell. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, jump, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and or move more than 100 pounds, frequently lift and or move up to 50 pounds, and regularly lift and or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Employee will also be required to work in and be exposed to all weather conditions associated with the State of Michigan.

Work environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While it is impossible to predict all situations that someone might encounter while performing their duties, it is understood, that employees will routinely work around or near machinery, equipment, vibration, and other environments associated with grounds work. They will occasionally be work around fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, blood borne pathogens. The noise level is usually moderate to loud.

The majority of work will be completed in the field with exposures to all types of weather conditions.

While a regular shift is expected, they may be called in for campus emergencies at all hours of the day and night, including the hours of Sabbath and holidays. This also applies to early morning snow/ice removal.

While completing these duties, the employee will be walking through campus grounds including sidewalks, parking lots, roadways, and grass areas. The employee will also be accessing buildings or any other area belonging to the University.