Penn State Job Catalog

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:

– Manager

Base Description:

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

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates proficient ability in work design, project management, financial planning and development of goals for accomplishing unit assignments. Reviews and guides work to ensure conformity to policy and effective approaches. Evaluates employee performance and recommend development opportunities. Demonstrates ability to coach employees. Presents and communicates key university indicatives and connects it to unit contributions. Provides broad guidelines. Develops, evaluates, enhances, and/or implements quality improvement practices. Recommends innovative solutions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Oversees a team (typically 4 or more; no fewer than 2) full
– time direct reports of individual contributors and/or first level supervisors.

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Monitors and tracks department/area budget
– May plan, forecast, and/or assist in developing budgets
– May have final signature authority for specific area

Problem Solving:

– Encounters varied and complex problems
– Helps to develop creative and/or novel approaches to resolve problems that are difficult in nature but within limited scope
– Modifies, adapts, or refines guidelines if necessary to resolve issues or problems

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on complex or strategic assignments
– Uses existing practices and advanced working knowledge to determine appropriate work methods for the team
– Reviews completed work of others for conformity to policy, and effectiveness of approach
– Delegates 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
– Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and delivers to a broad variety of audiences
– Communicates key university initiatives and how unit’s work contributes to their achievement
– Presents ideas, concepts and instructions in a clear manner, and uses persuasion and negotiation to build consensus and cooperation
– Establishes and maintains networks to facilitate successful communication among units

• Comp Grade – 11
• Minimum – $68,200.00
• MidPoint – $85,200.00
• Maximum – $102,300.00

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