Assistant Director Grounds Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Posting Details
Position Information
Posting Number
SF02182
Job Title
Assistant Director, Facilities Operations/Landscape & Grounds
Position Number
106865
FTE
1.00
FLSA
Exempt
Position Type
Professional Staff
Union
PSA/NEA - Professional Staff Assoc
Pay Grade Level
Grade Level: 15
Pay Grade Range
Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $100,000 - $115,000
Status
Calendar Year, Full-time, Permanent
Department Information
Department
Facilities Operations
Contact(s)
Please note: Job applications must be submitted directly online only at: (https://jobs.uri.edu)
Contact Phone/Extension
Contact Email
Physical Demands
Campus Location
Kingston
Grant Funded
No
Extension Contingency Notes
Job Description Summary
About URI: The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State's flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston, and the Bay Campus is located in Narragansett. Both campuses are near major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. URI is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston, and New York City.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Supervise and direct personnel engaged in the maintenance and care of all lands and grounds at the University of Rhode Island Kingston campus. Manage and oversee the University's automotive maintenance operations, including mechanics and service technicians responsible for fleet vehicles and small-engine equipment (mowers, utility vehicles, snow removal equipment, landscape machinery). Manage the University's waste and recycling operations, including internal collection, waste hauling contracts, recycling material separation, sustainability tracking, and oversight of the campus transfer station. Oversee ongoing maintenance and continuous improvement of the campus landscape, grounds, sports fields, and hardscape. Organize and assign personnel, equipment, materials, and contracts. Ensure safe, clean, and accessible pedestrian walkways, roads, and parking areas in all conditions.
Duties and Responsibilities
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Plan, organize, direct, review and evaluate work of personnel assigned to the Landscape and Grounds Division, Automotive Maintenance operations, and Waste & Recycling Division.
Utilize GIS and mapping systems to plan and communicate department activities.
Develop and execute department budgets, manage personnel, equipment, materials, and contracted services.
Implement University Tree Council recommendations, maintain and manage tree inventories and tree care programs.
Consult with campus planning and construction units on landscape, roads, parking, athletic fields, irrigation, and exterior infrastructure projects.
Develop master plan components and project proposals for campus exterior environments.
Implement best management practices for landscape care, fleet operations, and waste and recycling management.
Review work schedules, assign workforce resources, establish and monitor performance standards.
Maintain campus access in all weather, direct snow removal and emergency response operations.
Prepare reports and develop specifications, bid documents, contracts, and procurement packages for materials, equipment, professional services, maintenance contracts, and construction projects; administer and monitor contractor performance and contract compliance.
Implement and oversee specialized Athletics Grounds staff to support athletic facilities and events.
Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance of fleet vehicles and small-engine equipment, manage parts inventory and maintenance tracking systems, ensure safety, environmental compliance, and regulatory adherence.
Plan for equipment lifecycles, replacements, and procurement.
Oversee internal waste collection and recycling programs, waste hauling contracts and vendors, transfer station operations, regulatory compliance; track and report waste diversion and recycling metrics, and support sustainability initiatives.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Initiate and present studies and recommendations.
Perform additional duties as required.
LICENSES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:
Valid driver's license. Current Pesticide application license or ability to attain within six months of appointment. Microsoft Office and GIS platforms.
Required Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED:1. Bachelor's degree in agronomy, environmental science, forestry, horticulture, engineering, construction, or related field.
2. Minimum five years of supervisory experience in full-scale grounds or facilities operations (or ten years related grounds or facilities experience).
3. Knowledge of plant materials, sports field management, fleet maintenance practices, and small-engine systems.
4. Ability to read and interpret plans, policies, and specifications.
5. Demonstrated experience managing contracted services, construction activities, site improvement projects, and capital renewal initiatives, including development of specifications, cost estimates, budgets, schedules, and contractor oversight.
6. Ability to prepare reports and present recommendations.
7. Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office and GIS platforms.
8. Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
9. Proficiency in written communication skills.
10. Ability to work with diverse groups/populations.
11. Valid driver's license.
12. Current Pesticide application license or ability to attain within six months of appointment.
Preferred Qualifications
PREFERRED:1. Master's degree.
2. Minimum six years of supervisory experience in full-scale landscape operations in higher education, government, or similar environment.
EEO Statement:
URI is unwavering in its commitment to equal opportunity, community, equity, and diversity. In furtherance of its mission to serve and support all learners as the state's public flagship university, URI continues to expand efforts to recruit and retain a broadly representative workforce as well as to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts. All employment decisions, including hiring, are made without regard to protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the URI benefits office at 401-874-2416. For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.
Environmental Conditions
Work involves inside and outside environments, exposure to weather, noise, vibration, and equipment hazards. Emergency call-back responsibilities.
This is a fully in person position and subject to emergency response callbacks.
Posting Date
07/23/2026
Closing Date
08/01/2026
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please attach the following 2 (PDF) documents to your online Employment Application:
(#1) Cover letter.
(#2) Resume.
Note: References will be upon request by the search committee.
Quicklink for Posting
https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/16863