Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.
Missing levels within the leveling matrix can be added based on business need.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Landscape Operations

The Landscape Operations Manager provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for landscape and grounds management operations; is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and evaluating comprehensive services including landscape maintenance, horticultural programs, tree care, landscape construction (hardscape and softscape), snow removal, equipment repair, and composting operations; ensures efficient use of personnel, equipment, and resources to support institutional goals, sustainability initiatives, and high-quality service delivery; collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to align services with organizational priorities and supports the use of campus grounds as a living laboratory for education and engagement.

• Oversee and manage landscape and groundskeeping operations, including maintenance, construction, arboriculture, composting, and snow removal
• Direct daily operations while establishing long-term vision and strategic direction for the department
• Lead implementation of sustainable landscape practices and contribute to the development and execution of the sustainable landscape master plan
• Identify, prioritize, and manage landscape renewal and improvement projects using both internal teams and external contractors
• Serve as project lead for major initiatives, ensuring cost control, quality assurance, and safety compliance
• Develop and implement snow and weather emergency response plans, policies, and safety procedures
• Participate in hazardous weather response teams and support institutional decision-making during emergencies
• Develop and administer annual and long-range operating budgets; monitor revenue and expenditures, ensuring alignment with projections and taking corrective action when necessary
• Forecast labor, equipment, and material needs; oversee procurement and inventory management
• Hire, train, supervise, schedule, and evaluate staff; foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement
• Mentor and develop employees to support professional growth and organizational success
• Assess and adjust organizational structure and staffing levels to meet operational needs
• Administer and ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements; participate in labor relations processes
• Negotiate and manage service level agreements; ensure high standards of customer service
• Collaborate with engineers, architects, designers, contractors, and vendors on planning and project execution
• Support academic engagement by facilitating student projects and partnerships related to landscape and environmental programs
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, licensing, certifications, and safety standards
• Lead and enforce comprehensive safety programs; provide training and resources to maintain a safe work environment
• Develop and implement quality control, environmental protection, and productivity improvement initiatives
• Monitor industry trends and best practices; recommend and implement operational improvements, policies, and procedures
• Utilize industry best practices, performance metrics, and improvement methodologies to enhance operations

Level:

– Senior Manager

Base Description:

– Manages direct reports where primary duty is the management of a working unit.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates advanced skills in critical functions related to unit's success. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of emerging technologies and processes. Monitors completed work of others to ensure effectiveness and adherence to requirements. Sets clear expectations and holds team accountable. Establishes a shared team/unit vision. Demonstrates ability to evaluate and enhance team/unit practices that promote a strong commitment to inclusionary practices. Coaches others using appropriate strategies. Demonstrates diplomacy. Demonstrates ability to serve as liaison between senior-level management and staff. Resolves complex, controversial, or unprecedented issues and problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Oversees large team or teams of individual contributors and/or supervisors/managers
– Leads a department or functional area

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Monitors and tracks large budgets
– Plans, forecasts, and/or develops budgets
– May approve budgets for specific area
– Typically has final signature authority for specific area

Problem Solving:

– Encounters highly varied and complex problems that impacts the team and possibly the unit
– Develops creative and/or novel approaches to resolve problems that are difficult in nature
– Independently resolves complex and/or unprecedented issues and problems

Independence of Action:

– Work results are not clearly defined
– Generally sets own goals and determines how to accomplish results with few or no guidelines to follow
– Monitors completed work of others to ensure soundness of approach, effectiveness of meeting requirements, the feasibility of recommendations and adherences to requirements
– Delegates more advanced tasks to others

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members and various areas across the University
– Fosters collaboration between units and engages others' coordinated efforts to reach desired outcomes with broad scope

• Comp Grade – 13
• Minimum – $91,488.00
• MidPoint – $114,384.00
• Maximum – $137,280.00

• Contract management
• Customer Service
• Landscape design
• Landscape maintenance
• Negotiation
• Policy analysis
• Project Management
• Regulatory compliance
• Resource management
• Safety management
• Structural analysis
• Technical support