Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Associate Director of Grounds, Landscape & Recycling, the Grounds, Landscape & Recycling Manager provides leadership and oversight for the daily operations of the South Main Campus Grounds Services team within Facilities Development & Operations (FD&O). The incumbent develops, implements, and manages comprehensive grounds, landscape, irrigation, and recycling service plans focused on supporting a Division I Athletics environment through sustainable and organic practices.

This position is responsible for managing staff, ensuring regulatory compliance, overseeing contractor performance, maintaining quality standards, and developing strategies for efficient use of labor and resources. The Manager ensures that all maintenance and operational activities align with university sustainability goals, environmental standards, and customer service expectations, while fostering a safe, inclusive, and high-performance team culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all grounds and landscape services for South Main Campus, including Division I Athletics facilities, ornamental gardens, and stormwater prevention zones
• Implement and manage preventive maintenance plans, irrigation programs, integrated pest management, and tree care schedules
• Lead recycling and refuse management programs ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations
• Develop and monitor quality assurance programs, performance metrics, and customer service standards
• Manage personnel functions including recruitment, training, evaluation, and performance management for assigned staff
• Administer budgets, resource allocation, and inventory control to ensure efficient operations and fiscal accountability
• Coordinate with campus partners including Athletics, Club Sports, and Kinesiology to align grounds management with usage needs
• Support sustainability initiatives including soil health management, water-efficient irrigation, and organic nutrient programs
• Participate in long-term planning, deferred maintenance assessments, and design standards development for university projects
• Ensure safety compliance, emergency preparedness, and adherence to all environmental health and safety standards

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of grounds, organic landscape, irrigation, and athletic field maintenance methods, materials, and equipment
• Understanding of administrative and management techniques for planning and implementing large-scale grounds programs
• Knowledge of recycling and refuse management principles and regulatory requirements
• Ability to plan, communicate, and implement operational plans effectively
• Strong leadership, team-building, and interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate and supervise diverse teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a commitment to customer service
• Ability to analyze complex situations, develop solutions, and implement improvements
• Knowledge of sustainable and organic land management practices, including soil health, turfgrass, and IPM (Integrated Pest Management)
• Ability to interpret and apply standards from professional organizations such as SFMA and NOFA Organic Land Care
• Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), scheduling, and performance reporting tools
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 20 pounds occasionally

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts/Science degree in horticulture or a related field OR which may be obtained through a minimum of two years of supervisory experience in scheduling, coordinating, and performing grounds operations, a minimum of two years of which are associated with progressively responsible management experience
• Three years of professional work experience directly related to landscape management of a large campus or complex, of which a minimum of three years associated with progressively responsible management experience
• Knowledge of landscape practices as related to irrigation, integrated pest management, and organic vegetation management
• Supervisory work experience in management of personnel or employee relations issues
• Experience developing and implementing grounds maintenance plans

License

A valid driver's license is required for this position. Out of state candidates selected for the position must obtain a State of California driver's license within 10 days of hire in accordance with the California Department of Motor Vehicles regulations.

Once hired the employee must successfully complete the Defensive Driver Training Program provided by the State of California for California State University campuses.

Preferred Qualifications

• Pest Control Certification (QAL or QLC) from the State of California, or Certified IPM Technician (CIT)
• Organic Land Care Professional (AOLCP) credential from the Professional Grounds Management Society
• Membership or certification with the Sports Field Management Association (SFMA) with a focus on sustainable practices.
• Certified Arborist from the ISA or ASCA
• Certified Landscape or Golf Irrigation Auditor from the Irrigation Association
• NOFA Organic Land Care Professional certification, or equivalent training in organic land management
• Supervisory experience within a collective bargaining and represented staff environment
• Experience managing athletic fields using organic and ecologically sustainable methods
• Experience in grounds services management of a State facility, College or University, or other environment with extensive grounds

Compensation

Classification: Administrator II
Anticipated Hiring Range: $9,084/month
CSU Salary Range: $5,053/month - $16,221/month

The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: November 22, 2025, through December 7, 2025. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment, and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third-party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.