Grounds Supervisor

Under limited supervision, performs a variety of routine and complex technical, physical and administrative work in planning, maintaining, and implementing a ground maintenance program for all City right of ways, public parks, and beautification areas. Work involves supervising maintenance workers, grounds workers, part-time, contracted, or seasonal personnel as assigned.

*Monitors, assists and makes recommendations in the daily maintenance of City parks, green space areas, right of ways, and beautification areas; determines schedules for mowing, mulching fertilization, herbicide/pesticide application, pruning, and planting.
*Supervises department employees, which involves such duties as instructing, assigning, and reviewing work, maintaining standards, acting on employee problems, selecting new employees, appraising employee performance, and recommending promotions, discipline, termination, and salary increases.
*Assist in preparing budget requests; assures effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and time.
*Coordinates the cultivation, propagation, care, and display of turf, flowers and shrubs.
*Determines the proper methods of planting, spraying, and cultivating turf, flowers, trees, and shrubs.
*Inspects areas for conditions of flowers, shrubbery, gardens, and the like for indications of insect infestations, plant diseases, or other physical disturbances or conditions. Understands and uses necessary Integrated Pest Management and Plant Health Care methods to combat plant pests, diseases, and other biotic and abiotic stresses.
*Negotiates and supervises contracted landscaping services.
*Plans annual color program, wildflower program, and other programs, as directed.
*Manages the City of Clemson Community Garden including, budgeting, registration, updates waiting list, communication with gardeners, acts as liaison to the garden property owners (Clemson United Methodist Church), supervises site maintenance, drafts, implements, and ensures adherence to the garden guidelines and plans and coordinates all garden event programs.
*Determines work procedures, prepares work schedules, and expedites workflow; studies and standardizes procedures using Best Management Practices to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations and projects.
*Prepares a variety of studies, reports, and related information for decision-making purposes.
*Supervises the control of, and is responsible for, all materials and supplies used.
*Maintains liaison with other departments as well as state, local, and other public officials.
*Meets with and makes recommendations for homeowners, HOAs, churches, commercial property owners/managers, and real estate companies.
*Refers to policies and procedures, codes/laws/regulations, publications and reference texts, etc.
*Operates an automobile and a variety of equipment such as personal computer, calculator, copy and fax machine, telephone, mobile or portable radio, landscaping and grounds maintenance equipment (mower, backhoe, front end loader, skid steer) etc.
*Uses a variety of tools such as drafting tools, etc.; a variety of supplies such as general office supplies, etc.; and a variety of computer software such as word processing, etc.
*Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the Parks and Recreation Director, other City departments and staff, and the general public.
Additional Job Functions
*Serves as a member of various city employee committees, as assigned.
*Attends conferences and meetings, as required.
*Performs related duties as required.

Bachelor's degree in horticulture, arboriculture, agriculture, or related field; five (5) years of groundskeeping experience; or any combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Must be a certified Arborist and Pesticide Applicator or the ability to obtain within 1 year. Must have a valid South Caroling driver's license. Must have a South Carolina pesticide or herbicide applicator's license or the ability to obtain within 1 year.

Applications accepted online at www.cityofclemson.org. Applications accepted until 11/28/2025. The City of Clemson provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.