State of Maryland

A Grounds Supervisor is the supervisory level of work in the care and maintenance of grounds, gardens and landscaped areas surrounding State buildings and along State roads and highways.  Employees in this classification supervise lower-level Groundskeepers, general service workers, patients and students.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Maintenance Supervisor or other designated supervisor.  Employees may be subject to call-in on a 24-hour basis. Employees may be assigned to shifts to include weekends and holidays.  The work may be performed in extremes of heat and cold. Employees may be exposed to noisy, dirty and uncomfortable conditions.  The work may require the use of protective equipment such as goggles when operating machinery and power tools and back braces, safety shoes and gloves when performing grounds duties.  The work may require working in confined spaces and at various heights and moving heavy objects.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Grounds Supervisor is differentiated from the Groundskeeper Lead in that the Grounds Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Groundskeepers while the Groundskeeper Lead assigns, reviews and approves the work of and trains lower-level Groundskeepers.

Supervises lower-level Groundskeepers, patients and students performing manual tasks in grounds keeping, snow removal and other minor maintenance tasks;

Determines priorities, deadlines and sequence of work projects;

Ensures that workers have sufficient and proper tools, supplies and equipment to complete assigned tasks;

Trains staff in the proper use of safety equipment, pesticides, chemicals and tools;

Determines the cost and quantity of materials needed to complete proposed projects;

Inspects completed work to ensure compliance to work standards and instructions;

Prepares reports and maintains records to document status of work projects;

Requisitions and maintains control of grounds keeping equipment and supplies;

Performs tasks in grounds keeping, snow removal or other minor maintenance tasks, when needed;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of seeding, mowing, cultivating and general care of lawn areas;

Knowledge of methods of planting, cultivating, pruning, and spraying bushes and trees; and of planting, cultivating and cutting flowers;

Knowledge of care and use of gardening tools and equipment including both hand and power equipment;

Knowledge of the hazards and safety precautions related to the use of manual and power tools and equipment as well as pesticides and chemicals;

Skill in the use and maintenance of grounds tools and equipment;

Ability to supervise employees;

Ability to explain work assignments in a clear and concise manner;

Ability to prepare and maintain reports and records;

Ability to train employees in grounds keeping work;

Ability to work effectively with others;

Ability to use, maintain and make minor repairs to lawn mowers, sprayers and other gardening tools and equipment.

Ability to perform manual tasks involving the frequent lifting of weight, sometimes in excess of fifty pounds;

Ability to make cost and quantity estimates on proposed projects;

Ability to accept direction and instruction.

Education:   Completion of eighth grade.

Experience: Three years of experience in truck or flower gardening, in the care and maintenance of grounds and lawns, landscaping, horticultural or nursery work.

Note: Candidates may substitute additional experience on a year-for-year basis for up to two years of the required education.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit as indicated by the designation of S (supervisor), M (manager), T (agency head), U (Board or Commission member), W (student), X (excluded by executive order),  or Z (confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and therefore, all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.