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Grounds Director Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Groundskeeper

Washington, DC

$17.25 - $22/hr

Trim, edge and mulch as directed * Rake leaves and collect debris from grounds and common areas * Clean and pick up grounds and breezeways; including trash collection * Remove snow and spread salt in ...

Groundsperson

Washington, DC

$17.25 - $22/hr

Trim, edge and mulch as directed * Rake leaves and collect debris from grounds and common areas * Clean and pick up grounds and breezeways; including trash collection * Remove snow and spread salt in ...

Groundskeeper

Washington, DC · On-site

$17.25 - $22/hr

Trim, edge and mulch as directed * Rake leaves and collect debris from grounds and common areas * Clean and pick up grounds and breezeways; including trash collection * Remove snow and spread salt in ...

Groundskeeper

Washington, DC

$17.25 - $22/hr

Trim, edge and mulch as directed * Rake leaves and collect debris from grounds and common areas * Clean and pick up grounds and breezeways; including trash collection * Remove snow and spread salt in ...

Groundsperson

Washington, DC · On-site

$17.25 - $22/hr

Trim, edge and mulch as directed * Rake leaves and collect debris from grounds and common areas * Clean and pick up grounds and breezeways; including trash collection * Remove snow and spread salt in ...

Groundsperson

Washington, DC

$17.25 - $22/hr

Trim, edge and mulch as directed * Rake leaves and collect debris from grounds and common areas * Clean and pick up grounds and breezeways; including trash collection * Remove snow and spread salt in ...

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Grounds Director information

See Reston, VA salary details

$26K

$74.9K

$152.9K

How much do grounds director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for grounds director in Reston, VA is $74,875.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,300.00 and $93,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a director of grounds?

A grounds director is responsible for overseeing the maintenance, landscaping, and overall appearance of outdoor areas such as sports fields, parks, or institutional grounds. They manage staff, develop maintenance schedules, and ensure safety standards are met, often requiring knowledge of horticulture, turf management, and equipment operation.

What does a typical week in the life of a Grounds Director look like?

A typical week for a Grounds Director involves a blend of strategic planning, supervising grounds crews, managing budgets, and coordinating maintenance schedules. You’ll oversee landscape improvements, equipment maintenance, seasonal projects, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. Collaborating with administrators, vendors, and other facility teams is common, and you may also handle training for staff or respond to urgent grounds-related issues. This role balances hands-on fieldwork with administrative responsibilities, offering variety and the opportunity to make a visible impact on the property.

Is grounds management a good career path?

Grounds management is a viable career that involves maintaining outdoor spaces such as parks, sports fields, and landscapes. It requires skills in horticulture, equipment operation, and environmental management, often supported by certifications like the Certified Grounds Manager credential. The role offers opportunities for advancement and steady employment in various settings.

What is a Grounds Director job?

A Grounds Director is responsible for overseeing the maintenance, landscaping, and overall appearance of outdoor spaces for an organization. They manage teams of groundskeepers, coordinate maintenance schedules, and ensure facilities meet safety and aesthetic standards. The role often involves budgeting, equipment management, and collaboration with other departments to support special events or facility needs.

Is groundskeeping a hard job?

Groundskeeping can be physically demanding and requires attention to detail, often involving tasks like mowing, trimming, and maintaining outdoor spaces. It may also require working outdoors in various weather conditions and using tools such as lawnmowers and trimmers, with certifications sometimes needed for equipment operation. The job's difficulty depends on the scope of responsibilities and the environment.

What is the highest paying job in landscaping?

The highest paying jobs in landscaping often include roles such as Landscape Architects, Project Managers, or Executive Directors, with salaries reaching six figures for experienced professionals overseeing large projects or managing companies. These positions typically require advanced education, certifications, and extensive industry experience. Specialized skills in design, project management, and business operations contribute to higher earning potential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Grounds Director position, and why are they important?

A successful Grounds Director needs extensive knowledge of horticulture, landscaping, facility management, and leadership, often supported by a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Experience with grounds management software, irrigation systems, and certifications such as Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) are highly valuable. Strong organizational skills, effective communication, and the ability to motivate diverse teams are essential soft skills in this role. These competencies are critical to efficiently maintaining grounds, optimizing resources, and ensuring a safe, attractive environment for clients or the organization.

What are popular job titles related to Grounds Director jobs in Reston, VA? For Grounds Director jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Grounds Director jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Grounds Director jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Grounds Director jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Grounds Director job openings:
Infographic showing various Grounds Director job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $74,875 per year, or $36 per hour.
Director of Grounds and Pest Control

Director of Grounds and Pest Control

ABM Industries, Inc.

Washington, DC • On-site

$100K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago


ABM Industries rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 405 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

143rd of 218 rated facilities management


Job description


The Director of Grounds and Pest Control provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all campus grounds, landscaping, synthetic turf surfaces, pest control, waste management, and environmental sustainability programs. This role ensures that outdoor environments are safe, attractive, sustainable, and compliant with all regulatory requirements. The Director manages staff and vendors, oversees budgets and resources, ensures high-quality service delivery, and partners with internal stakeholders to support institutional goals in safety, sustainability, and operational excellence.
Compensation: $100,000 annual salary (US Dollars)
The pay listed is the salary range for this position. Any specific offer will vary based on the successful applicant's education, experience, skills, abilities, geographic location, and alignment with market data. You may be eligible to participate in a Company incentive or bonus program
Benefits: ABM offers a comprehensive benefits package. For information about ABM's benefits, visit
Benefits | Staff & Management
Responsibilities
Waste Collection & Diversion
  • Ensure strict separation of landfill, recycling, and compost waste streams during collection, handling, and transport.

  • Identify and report locations with recurring contamination issues and collaborate on corrective actions.

  • Support waste diversion activities for sustainability events such as Green Move Out and ReUse Market.

  • Oversee dining waste collection programs to reduce landfill disposal and improve diversion outcomes.

  • Manage event composting programs and support expansion of composting services across campus.

  • Provide enhanced seasonal and summer waste management support, including residence hall turnover and conference housing operations.

  • Oversee cardboard baling programs in designated buildings.

Training & Compliance
  • Partner with sustainability staff to train custodial and grounds teams on waste management protocols and sustainability programs.

  • Ensure training includes environmental compliance, green cleaning practices, and university-specific procedures.

  • Maintain training logs and provide documentation upon request.

Equipment & Inventory
  • Maintain a comprehensive inventory of waste management equipment, including all bins and containers.

  • Update waste equipment inventory maps annually and submit them to appropriate university offices.

Financial Transparency
  • Document and remit all rebates, refunds, and revenues generated from recycling or composting activities.

2. Waste Stream Supplies
  • Procure and manage color-coded liners for waste segregation:

  • Clear liners for recycling

  • Green BPI-certified liners for compost

  • Black liners for landfill

3. Waste Data Tracking & Performance
  • Collaborate with sustainability staff to establish baseline metrics and KPIs for waste diversion and contamination reduction.

  • Track and report waste performance data to support continuous improvement.

4. Green Cleaning Program Oversight
Policy & Procurement
  • Develop, implement, and maintain a Green Cleaning Policy aligned with sustainability standards.

  • Source environmentally compliant, high-quality, and cost-effective cleaning products.

  • Provide cleaning product purchase lists to support evaluation and pilot programs.

Operations & Training
  • Maintain documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for green cleaning practices.

  • Maintain staff training records related to green cleaning and environmental compliance.

Data Tracking
  • Track sustainable product usage and cleaning performance.

  • Collaborate to establish baselines and KPIs for green cleaning outcomes.

5. Groundskeeping & Sustainable Landscaping
Water & Irrigation Management
  • Minimize unnecessary water usage by optimizing irrigation schedules and avoiding watering during or after rainfall.

  • Update tree and plant inventory maps annually.

  • Maximize use of functioning irrigation systems; identify deficiencies and coordinate repairs.

  • Identify opportunities for drip irrigation and collaborate on implementation.

  • Oversee irrigation system maintenance and report inefficiencies or failures.

  • Manage daily policing and collection of exterior waste and litter across landscaped areas and grounds.

  • Ensure daily trash collection for key campus areas, including Big Belly collections on Saturdays.

Landscape Practices & Chemical Use
  • Reduce chemical inputs and use least-toxic, environmentally friendly herbicides and fertilizers.

  • Use organic materials for plant treatment where practicable.

  • Maintain transparent records of all chemical usage and provide documentation upon request.

  • Clear debris from stormwater drains and water feature drainage areas.

  • Compost landscape green waste whenever feasible.

  • Mulch organic materials on site and utilize chipped wood from pruning operations.

  • Limit use of plastics in landscaping operations and support no-single-use-plastic policies.

  • Maintain sustainable sites and ensure native landscapes are preserved per design.

Equipment & Operations
  • Transition to electric or low-emission landscaping equipment where feasible.

  • Oversee daily policing and collection of exterior waste in coordination with custodial services.

6. Pest Control Management
  • Oversee integrated pest management (IPM) programs across campus grounds and exterior structures.

  • Ensure pest control practices prioritize prevention, environmental safety, and least-toxic treatment methods.

  • Coordinate with vendors and internal teams to address pest issues promptly.

  • Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local pest control regulations.

  • Track pest control activities, treatments, and trends to support proactive management.

7. Education, Training & Collaboration
  • Train staff during onboarding and regularly on sustainable landscaping, pest control, waste management, and sustainability goals.

  • Collaborate with university offices, academic departments, and student organizations, including environmental justice groups.

  • Support living-learning laboratory initiatives and applied sustainability projects.

  • Utilize campus landscapes as educational and research spaces when directed.

  • Support installation of educational signage highlighting sustainable landscape features.

8. Sustainability Data Tracking
  • Track sustainable product usage and performance across grounds, pest control, and custodial operations.

  • Collaborate to establish measurable baselines and KPIs for sustainability outcomes.

  • Share quarterly material purchase lists and training logs with sustainability staff.

Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Strong knowledge of landscaping, horticulture, turf management, and irrigation systems.

  • Expertise in pest control methods, IPM principles, and pesticide regulations.

  • Understanding of environmental sustainability practices and green landscape management.

  • Ability to operate and oversee use of grounds and pest control equipment.

  • Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

  • Ability to manage multiple priorities across large or complex sites.

  • Proficiency with work order systems, reporting tools, and inspection platforms.

Education & Experience
  • High school diploma or GED required; Associate's or bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Environmental Science, Facilities Management, or related field preferred.

  • 5-10+ years of experience in grounds maintenance, landscaping, or pest control.

  • 2-5+ years of supervisory or management experience.

  • Experience in large campuses, healthcare, higher education, or commercial facilities preferred.

Certifications (Preferred / May Be Required)
  • State pesticide applicator license (or ability to obtain).

  • Landscape or horticulture certifications.

  • OSHA 10 or 30.

  • IPM certification.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements
  • Work performed primarily outdoors in varying weather conditions.

  • Ability to operate grounds equipment and lift/move materials and tools.

  • Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and respond to weather events.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
  • Grounds appearance and inspection scores.

  • Pest control effectiveness and incident reduction.

  • Waste diversion and contamination reduction metrics.

  • Safety performance and compliance.

  • Budget adherence and cost control.

  • Stakeholder satisfaction.

  • Response time to issues and service requests.

About Us
ABM (NYSE: ABM) is one of the world's largest providers of integrated facility, engineering, and infrastructure solutions. Every day, our over 100,000 team members deliver essential services that make spaces cleaner, safer, and efficient, enhancing the overall occupant experience.
ABM serves a wide range of market sectors including commercial real estate, aviation, education, mission critical, and manufacturing and distribution. With over $8 billion in annual revenue and a blue-chip client base, ABM delivers innovative technologies and sustainable solutions that enhance facilities and empower clients to achieve their goals. Committed to creating smarter, more connected spaces, ABM is investing in the future to meet evolving challenges and build a healthier, thriving world. ABM: Driving possibility, together.
ABM is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer that does not discriminate on the basis of any trait or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, including disability and protected veteran status. ABM is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in completing the employment application, please call 888-328-8606. We will provide you with assistance and make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.
ABM participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. E-Verify is an internet-based system used to electronically confirm employment eligibility.
ABM is a military-friendly company proudly employing thousands of men and women who have served in the U.S. military. With ABM, you'll have access to a world-class training program and ample opportunities to use the skills you developed while serving our country. Whether you're looking for a frontline or professional position, you can find post-military career opportunities across ABM.
ABM directs all applicants to apply at www.abm.com/careers. ABM does not accept unsolicited resumes or submissions outside of this portal. Applicants should submit their application by clicking Apply Now.
For more information, visit www.abm.com

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