Position Overview

The Manager of Grounds, Landscaping & Gardens is responsible for planning, managing, budgeting, and overseeing all landscape care and maintenance of University property in a manner that advances the University’s aesthetic, safety, and sustainability goals. This includes but is not limited to: turf and athletic fields, flower and shrub beds, trees, rain gardens, wooded areas, mini-prairies, no-mow zones, and native plantings, along with campus-wide snow removal. Supervises a team of landscaping/gardening staff, volunteers, student interns, and external contractors.

Responsibilities

• In consultation with the AVP for Operations and Chief Facilities Officer, implement and clearly communicate a team vision and approach to planning, managing, budgeting, and overseeing all landscape care and maintenance of University property.
• Seamlessly manage and prioritize the time, tasks, and seasonal schedules of a team of landscaping/gardening staff, volunteers, student interns, and external contractors.
• Execute and track safety trainings and practices; ensure compliance with OSHA, State of Indiana, and Butler regulations; ensure team preparedness for weather and other emergencies such as felled trees.
• Manage, oversee, and track the care and well-being of the University’s land; ensure adequate irrigation and proper plant placement; direct propagation practices; manage invasive weeds and pests utilizing Integrated Weed and Pest Management approaches whenever viable; serve as liaison to landscape architects involved in new construction; direct and schedule contractors such as Bartlett Tree Service.
• Lead and track the team’s environmental impact mitigation efforts, such as increasing the extent of areas managed sustainably, iterative conversion of turf areas to non-turf areas, reductions in landscaping chemical usage, and team trainings on sustainable landscaping methods.
• Foster a positive working environment that values diverse backgrounds and experiences; encourage professional development, training, and creative problem-solving among team members; collaborate with internal and external stakeholders and establish approaches that optimize the financial efficiency, educational value, and community benefits of Butler’s landscaped environment.
• Manage the inventory and maintenance of all Landscaping and Grounds equipment, vehicles, and supplies, ensuring that all items are in good working order and replaced when needed; purchase low- or no-emissions vehicles and machinery whenever viable.

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in any field, degree or certification in sustainable landscape management or landscape design preferred.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and take part in physical labor in all weather conditions. 
• Minimum 3 years team leadership experience in landscaping/grounds, agriculture, forestry, or related field.
• Ability to budget, plan, and create short and long-term schedules carefully and resourcefully.
• Professional, personable demeanor with a strong work ethic; ability to create and build positive relationships with a wide variety of people; ability to motivate others to achieve excellence. 
• Working knowledge of propagation methods; basic garden design; integrated weed and pest management; composting systems and equipment; irrigation systems and equipment; landscaping equipment, machinery, and vehicles; and urban forestry. 
• Passion for, and knowledge of, sustainable landscaping practices.
• ​​​Good written communication skills. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience working within an academic environment and/or mentoring young adults.
• Willingness and ability to define and advocate for broad goals in sustainable landscape management.
• Interest in networking and collaborating with external stakeholders such as IN Department of Environmental Management, Purdue University, Indiana Native Plant Society, and the Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District.

BU Benefits and Perks

Please check out Butler’s Total Rewards website to learn more about our benefit offerings, which include:

• Paid Time Off and Holidays:
  • 18 days of paid time off (vacation and PTO days)
  • 8 Paid Holidays
  • Paid Winter Break between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
  • Paid Parental Leave (after 1 year of full-time employment)
• Health:
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans including disability and life insurance programs
• Retirement:
  • 10% employer contribution after 1 year of full-time employment
• Tuition Assistance:
  • Remission of tuition for classes taken at Butler for employees, spouses, and dependent children.
    • Eligibility after 9 months of full-time employment
    • Employees & spouses- undergraduate/graduate degrees
    • Dependents (under age 26)- undergraduate degree
    • Covers tuition only
  • Tuition Exchange Program for Dependents
• Butler Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks:
  • Access to Butler’s on-site fitness facility and libraries for full-time staff and faculty
  • LinkedIn Learning Courses
  • Free premium subscription to the Calm App
  • Free subscription to the WSJ and NYT
  • Discount at the College Bookstore
  • Discount on select Athletic and Arts/Events Center Performances

About Butler

Butler University is a private, nationally recognized comprehensive university encompassing seven colleges: Arts, Business, Communication, Education, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Pharmacy & Health Sciences and Founder's College. Approximately 4,500 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and doctoral students are enrolled at Butler, representing 46 states and 24 countries.

Join us at the crossroads of tradition & transformation. A career at Butler University means so much more than a job. Join the dedicated, innovative, and supportive community of faculty and staff that is moving Butler Beyond.

Butler University is an equal-opportunity employer.  We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees.  We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of age, gender, gender identity, sex, race, religion, color, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other legally protected category.