About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary
Manages and leads the overall operation of the Grounds maintenance division. Supervises and coordinates all activities involved in the maintenance, repair, and upgrade of campus landscape, hardscape, and waste handling systems. In cooperation with other Heads of Grounds Services, may supervise any and all functions of the Grounds Department.
Essential Functions
- Supervises and coordinates a multi-disciplined work team in the maintenance, repair, and upgrade of campus landscape, hardscape, and waste handling systems. This includes
- Care and culture of campus plants, flowers, trees, and turf;
- Repair and maintenance of campus roads, sidewalks, and underground utilities;
- Collection, removal, disposal, and recycling of campus solid waste;
- Moving and storage of campus furniture, site furnishings, bulk materials, and utility gear;
- Repair and maintenance of campus equipment and motor vehicles; and
- Snow removal.
- Serves as project manager for in-house and contracted upgrade projects with focus on scope, schedule, budget, quality, and resources. Provides operational continuity in the absence of the Assistant Director for Grounds Services.
- Procures and oversees contracted services for maintenance, repair, and upgrade of campus landscapes, hardscapes, and waste handling systems. This includes snow removal; waste handling, transfer, and recycling services; tree work, arboricultural, and landscape services; fencing and enclosure services; paving, masonry, and hardscape services. Inspects and verifies that daily work assignments are completed within delegated timeframes and budgetary guidelines, adheres to specifications and standards, and complies with safety codes, policies, and procedures.
- Assigns and evaluates full-time and seasonal staff to uphold University standards of performance and etiquette. Provides team motivation and performance reviews to improve quality and performance. Recruits, hires, trains, coaches, supervises, and evaluates the job performance of the Landscape, Construction, and Waste Handling staff. Manages all hiring, on-boarding, training, and professional development, job performance reviews, disciplinary concerns, and off-boarding within the union. Addresses workplace concerns. Works with Human Resources and Labor Relations staff to resolve personnel matters. As needed, participates in grievance investigations and hearings.
- Leads regularly scheduled effective meetings, provides context for decisions, fosters open lines of communication, maintains appropriate levels of confidentiality, and cultivates a staff culture rooted in collaboration, civility, adaptability, and professionalism.
- Researches and tests new products, materials, equipment, and processes to improve quality, productivity, and safety of departmental operations. Provides technical expertise, information, and assistance to the University regarding Landscape, Construction, and Waste Handling subject matter. Participates in the formulation and development of programs, policies, and procedures.
- Manages support efforts for campus outdoor events, including landscape and hardscape maintenance, waste handling, and moving services.
- Manages campus-wide snow and ice removal operations for sidewalks, roadways, loading docks, and parking lots. This includes in-house and contracted services. Manages snow contracts for off-campus satellite locations. Available for on-call rotation second and third shift assignments.
- Meets routinely with customers and customer service representatives to determine their needs. Implements new approaches to promote and assure quality improvement and exhibits a clear commitment to meet the diverse needs of the customer.
- Uses University vehicle to travel to and from work sites.
- Works cooperatively with Facilities & Campus Services and Environmental Health & Safety personnel and outside contractors in meeting assigned objectives and ensuring compliance with applicable state and departmental policies.
- Practices and promotes excellent customer service in the workplace. Meets routinely with customers and Customer Service Representatives to determine needs. Implements new approaches to promote and assure quality improvements and exhibits a clear commitment to the diverse needs of customers.
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 and upgrade of landscape, hardscape, or waste handling systems.
- Minimum of two (2) years’ experience supervising a multi-disciplined work team in grounds maintenance, waste handling, or construction fields.
- Massachusetts Commercial Driver’s License Class B.
- Massachusetts Hoisting Engineers License Class 2A.
- Certificate of University Supervisory Leadership Development within one (1) year of hire.
- 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 supervise staff including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished and the capabilities of the subordinates and available resources. Ability to control work through periodic reviews and evaluations and to motivate subordinates to work effectively, determining the need for disciplinary action and training and initiating such action.
- 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 operate a personal computer and willingness to lean and use computer software including email word processing and work management software.
- Ability to work for extended periods of time and varying climactic conditions.
- Ability to estimate the type and quantity of supplies, materials and equipment required for maintenance and repair work.
- Ability to draw plans and write specifications for hardscape/landscape projects and to estimate time and costs for such work.
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 through Friday, 6 am to 2 pm
Salary Information
PSU-B Grade 18
Salary Schedule
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume, and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.