Facilities and Business Operations:
Facilities and Business Operations at UCF is dedicated to fostering a conducive educational environment for our faculty, staff, students, and the broader community. We are committed to excellence, providing unparalleled expertise, and maintaining a world-class standard in service.
Please visit us at: https://fs.ucf.edu/ or Facebook and Instagram: UCF Facilities
The Opportunity:
The Landscape and Natural Resources department within Facilities and Business Operations is seeking to hire a Manager, Landscape Operations. This role is responsible for overseeing daily landscape operations and maintenance across campus. In this role, you'll manage and coordinate the work of landscape maintenance teams, irrigation specialists, enhancement project crews, and the horticultural spray team. The incumbent will play a critical role in ensuring the campus grounds are maintained to the highest standards of care, beauty, and sustainability. They will work closely with leadership to guide operations, support team members, and ensure efficient, responsive service to meet the university’s evolving needs.
Responsibilities:
Oversee all landscape operations and maintenance activities, including daily supervision of maintenance crews, irrigation specialists, project teams, and horticultural/spray teams.
Serve as second-in-command of the Landscape and Natural Resources Department, providing leadership, guidance, and operational support to the Director and departmental staff.
Collaborate with the Director to develop and implement strategies that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of landscape maintenance processes.
Monitor and manage landscape maintenance contracts to ensure compliance with university standards and expectations.
Lead the development and execution of departmental procedures, workflows, and standard operating protocols.
Assist in supervising and training staff, setting priorities, and coordinating resource planning, materials procurement, and equipment needs.
Support department-wide initiatives, including budgeting, cost control, procurement, and policy development.
Manage human resources matters, including recruitment support, performance evaluations, training initiatives, and career development planning for landscape operations staff.
Design and lead preventive maintenance programs, including tree pruning and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Develop training materials aligned with industry standards and certifications such as FNGLA, ISA, and APPA.
Oversee game day and emergency response operations for the department, serving as the primary point of contact with vendors and coordinating event staffing and post-event cleanup logistics.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's or Master's degree and 4+ years of relevant experience. Or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219. Click here for more information
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in horticulture, landscape management, environmental sciences, turfgrass science, agronomy, or a related field.
5+ years of progressively responsible experience in landscape operations, with 2+ years in a supervisory or management role.
Experience managing large-scale landscape maintenance programs in a university, municipal, or campus-like environment is preferred.
Applicator’s License for pesticide/herbicide application (State of Florida).
Proven experience with contract management, budgeting, and operational planning.
Strong understanding of landscape maintenance best practices, irrigation systems, IPM, tree care, turf management, and seasonal planning.
Knowledge of sustainable landscape practices and environmental regulations.
Proficient in using IWMS (Integrated Work Management Systems), landscape design software, or GIS tools is a plus.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage change, and build collaborative working relationships.
Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Experience managing emergency or special event operations (e.g., game day logistics, storm response) is desirable.
Certified Arborist – via ISA (International Society of Arboriculture), or ability to obtain within one year of employment.
Florida Certified Horticulture Professional (FCHP) – via FNGLA, or ability to obtain within one year of employment.
Landscape Industry Certified – via NALP (National Association of Landscape Professionals).
APPA credentialing or training related to grounds management in higher education (e.g., CEFP).
Special Instructions to the Applicants:
The anticipated salary range for this position is $85,000 to $88,713. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations.
This position may be eligible for a sign-on bonus.
Position requires a valid Class E driver’s license. The position may involve driving to various locations on and off campus to conduct University business.
If you are selected as the final candidate for an employment opportunity, both your position and salary will be significantly based upon the information that you have provided in your application for employment. We urge you to please take the time to complete the application in its entirety.
Classification Title: Manager, Landscape Natural Resources
Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?
As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.
Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:
Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program
Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays
Retirement savings options
Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions
Education assistance
Flexible work environment
And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide.
Dive into our Total Rewards Calculator to discover the diverse selection available to you, giving you a glimpse into the benefits that together shape your comprehensive rewards package at UCF.
Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.
#LI-ONSITE
Department
Landscape & Natural Resources
Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 6:00am - 3:30pm
Type of Appointment
Regular
Expected Salary
$64,518.00 to Negotiable
Job Posting End Date
08-14-2025-12-00-AM
As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.
UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.
If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email onac@ucf.edu.
For general application or posting questions, please email talent@ucf.edu.
