"Grounds Manager"

Company: Villanova University

Job Location: Villanova, 19085

Category: Grounds and Landscaping

Type: Full-Time

Posting Number: 20260005S

Location: Villanova, PA

Work Schedule: full-time/12-months

Department: 817-Cabrini Grounds

Position Summary

Why work at Villanova?

• Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University's founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others.
• Villanova has been included among the nation's best colleges and universities. VU's inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report's 2025 "Best Colleges" rankings is another indication of the University's continued prominence and forward momentum.
• Villanova's most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more.

Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University's mission and values.

Duties and Responsibilities

• 30% Provide day-to-day supervision of unionized grounds employees in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and University policies: Assign work, set priorities, and ensure proper staffing levels to meet campus needs. Conduct onsite evaluations and support employee development and training. Enforce safety rules, work practices, and attendance standards consistently and fairly. Collaborate with Human Resources on disciplinary matters, grievances, and contract interpretation as needed.
• 20% Manage all grounds related service requests and preventive maintenance activities through the TMA work order system: Ensure accurate tracking of labor, materials, assets, and maintenance histories within TMA. Utilize UKG Ready for employee scheduling, timekeeping, attendance monitoring, and labor reporting. Review work order metrics to improve efficiency, response times, and service quality
• 10% Oversee landscape maintenance for Villanova University owned off campus residential properties.
• 10% Manage paving, asphalt, concrete, and sidewalk repair projects at off campus locations. Coordinate contractors, schedule work, and conduct site inspections to ensure quality and compliance with specifications. Serve as a primary liaison between Facilities Management and off campus stakeholders regarding exterior site conditions.
• 10% Ensure compliance with all University policies, OSHA standards, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations. Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and professionalism among staff and contractors. Conduct regular site inspections to identify and mitigate hazards.
• 10% Responsible for coordinating the Cabrini Campus University's snow and ice control operations in response to severe weather events. Position requires 24/7 365 availability for operational emergencies, such as snow management operations, and for some special events management.
• 5% Serve as a member of the Campus Event Committee and Commencement Committee, coordinating Grounds' involvement in Graduation, fundraiser events, Special Olympics, Family weekend, Homecoming, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

• Five years Grounds/Operations management experience.
• Horticultural and Arboricultural Knowledge
• PA Pesticide Certification

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, or related field

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours

a.) Tools, machinery and equipment used: computer and all equipment in the Grounds trade.

b.) Environmental conditions: (any unusual/adverse conditions such as exposure to chemicals, noise, illumination, air quality, weather exposure etc.) Exposure to noise, confined spaces, dust and dirt.

c.) Physical requirements: ( items such as lifting, pushing, pulling, standing or sitting for extended periods of time, manual dexterity, walking etc.)

Must be able to climb ladders, to bend and reach and to lift up to 60 pounds.

d.) Personal communication requirements:

Required to have a personal cell phone and provide the contact number to all managers and co-workers so that they may reach you when you are out of the office during normal working hours and in case of emergency.

Salary Posting Information

This position falls within salaried grade 17 and the range for this position is $82,400-103,000. The final salary will be determined with consideration of several factors including the selected candidate's qualifications, department budget availability, market data, and internal equity.