Grounds Supervisor

Job Title
Grounds Supervisor

Requisition Number
RE52893

Working Title

Department Name
3CP07:Phys Plt-Grounds Services

Work Location
Lexington, KY

Grade Level
42

Salary Range
$17.41-27.87/hour

Type of Position
Staff

Position Time Status
Full-Time

Required Education

AA

Click here for more information about equivalencies:
https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies

Required Related Experience

5 yrs

Required License/Registration/Certification

None.

Physical Requirements

Lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects up to 50lbs; Standing or walking with objects up to 25lbs; Sitting at computer workstation for extended periods; Repetitive Motion.

May work at various locations on the University Campus and transport materials and/or equipment to/from such locations.

May be exposed to elements of weather and temperature extremes while on-the-job as well as when traveling to/from job site(s).

Shift

7:00am – 3:45pm (Monday – Friday)Hours of work may vary dependent upon situational factors, emergencies, and crisis management requiring night(s), weekend(s), and holiday(s) response.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Grounds Manager, this position oversees sustainable grounds maintenance and landscaping for the University of Kentucky – Lexington Campus; Leads in a manner consistent with the best in environmental and sustainable practices; Collaborates in the development and implementation of the Campus Landscape Plan; Ensures the safe function and aesthetic standard of an urban campus with extensive turf areas; Demonstrates knowledge of Central Kentucky plant selection, landscape design. and horticulture; Coordinates work with contractors and vendors, as required; Ensures lawns, gardens, athletic areas, and plant displays are attractive and healthy; Coordinates grounds maintenance and landscape staff who mow lawns, irrigate planting beds, plant and spray, trim shrubs and hedges, eradicate weeds, clear sidewalks, drives, and parking areas, remove rubbish, control insects, operate greenhouses, and perform other outdoor maintenance tasks; Performs regular daily inspections of assigned grounds and facilities; Develops and implements a system whereby staff, students, and visitors can report needs for repair or other consideration; Ensures a beautiful, safe, and welcoming campus for all users, throughout the year.

In addition, The Grounds Supervisor directly supervises assigned Grounds staff in all aspects of grounds, landscape, and turf maintenance providing sufficient coverage for facilities operations; Encourages staff to maintain personally challenging achievement goals and to exert effort toward mastering tasks; Proactively assists direct reports in reaching and obtaining their goals and objectives; Promotes teamwork and a positive work environment; Monitors cost center allocations; obtains and reviews relevant cost information, constraints, compliance to ensure overall quality, and cost containment; Models and promotes excellent customer service for internal and external customers; Demonstrates a Safety First Commitment; and Ensures safe, reliable, and efficient operations.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

MS Windows/Office; SAP; and KRONOS.

Demonstrated experience in environmental and sustainable grounds and landscape maintenance; Knowledge of the safe function and aesthetic standard of an urban campus with extensive turf areas; Snow removal; Turfgrass; Irrigation; Basic mechanical aptitude; and Operation of grounds maintenance equipment.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
Yes

Preferred Education/Experience

High School + 7 Years

Technical Diploma + 6 Years

Associate’s Degree + 5 Years
Valid Kentucky Driver’s License preferred

KY Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License — preferred (or the ability to obtain within one year of employment).

Professional Grounds Technician (CGT) — Highly Preferred

Deadline to Apply
02/08/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.