Manager, Grounds & Fleet Maintenance

Salary Grade: 07

Department: Grounds Department

Job Summary

Manages Cleveland State Universities (CSU) Grounds and Fleet Maintenance operations. Oversees all aspects of campus grounds services, including landscaping, turf management, irrigation systems, tree care, snow and ice removal, exterior waste management, and campus beautification initiatives, while also directing the operation and preventive maintenance of CSU’s vehicle and equipment fleet. Provides strategic and operational oversight through effective planning, budgeting, resource allocation, policy development, and continuous process improvement to support CSU’s mission and facilities services objectives. Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including environmental, safety, and occupational standards, and promotes a culture of safety, sustainability, accountability, teamwork, and customer service. Performs other functionally related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in facilities management, horticulture, landscape management, business administration, public administration, construction management, fleet management, or a related field.
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible management experience in grounds maintenance, landscape operations, facilities operations, fleet management, or related operational services.
• Supervisor or leadership experience.
• Related work experience may be substituted for education requirement. One (1) year of related work experience can be substituted for one (1) year of education. For example, a candidate with a high school diploma, GED or state recognized equivalent and eight (8) years of related work experience can be eligible to apply.
• Valid State of Ohio Pesticide Applicator License in Ornamental and Turf Pest Control, OR within 1 year of employment at CSU.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to establish and maintain driver eligibility under CSU Driving and Motor Vehicle Policy.
• This position is classified as essential, meaning that the employee will be required to report to work during emergency situations, inclement weather, or other unforeseen circumstances that disrupt normal operations. Flexibility and the ability to work outside of regular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, may be required as needed to ensure continuity of business operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Progressive experience in grounds maintenance, landscape operations, horticulture management, or facilities maintenance, in a higher education, municipal, healthcare, or large institutional environment.
• Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) or other relevant certification for horticulture or landscaping.
• Certified Public Fleet Professional (CPFP) or other relevant certifications for fleet management.
• Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certified Automotive Technician.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge of grounds maintenance and landscape management principles, including turf management, arboriculture, irrigation systems, pest management, and seasonal campus maintenance operations.
• Knowledge of fleet management and automotive maintenance practices, including preventive maintenance programs, vehicle lifecycle planning, and repair coordination.
• Knowledge of safety regulations and compliance standards, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, environmental regulations, pesticide application laws, and motor vehicle/fleet regulations.
• Skilled in leadership and staff supervision, including hiring, training, performance evaluation, and workforce scheduling.
• Skilled in budget development and financial oversight, including monitoring expenditures and managing departmental resources efficiently.
• Skilled in communication and interpersonal relations, with the ability to interact effectively with students, faculty, staff, vendors, and external agencies.
• Skilled in problem-solving and decision-making, particularly in time-sensitive operational and weather-related situations.
• Ability to lead and manage an operational team in a complex, fast-paced institutional environment.
• Ability to respond effectively to emergency and weather-related situations, including snow and ice events and campus closures.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining service quality and operational efficiency.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint.

Requisition Number: PT0703859S