Head Groundskeeper

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full Time Minneapolis, MN, US

Salary Range: $55,000 - $70,000 annually

Reports to:

Director of Facilities and Operations

Minnehaha Academy is a top-tier private, Christian Pre-K to 12 school in Minnesota, celebrated for offering students a rich and diverse educational experience rooted in Christian values. As a ministry of the Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church, we draw on a strong tradition of academic excellence, and we are committed to nurturing each student’s unique strengths and abilities in a caring, supportive environment.

Our mission is to provide a high-quality education integrating Christian faith and learning so students grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and others.

Our two school campuses are located on the shores of the Mississippi River that runs through Minneapolis among its many vibrant communities, offering wonderfully diverse cultural experiences, exquisite nature parks, and many local cuisine options.

The Groundskeeper provides strategic leadership and daily operational oversight to ensure that our campus remains safe, functional, and visually inviting for students, staff, and visitors. This role is responsible for directing the care and maintenance of all outdoor spaces—including lawns, gardens, walkways, athletic fields, and common areas—while directly supervising grounds teams.

Balancing hands-on support with administrative leadership, the Head Groundskeeper oversees event logistics, seasonal operations, safety compliance, and preventative maintenance. With an eye for excellence and a commitment to servant leadership, Head Groundskeeper fosters a collaborative team environment that reflects our community’s values, enhances daily experiences, and provides an exceptional first impression of our campus.

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate facilities and grounds, fostering a positive, productive, and faith-aligned work culture.
• Create, manage, and adjust daily work schedules, shift assignments, and seasonal labor allocations to ensure optimal campus coverage.
• Lead training initiatives for staff regarding equipment operation, safety protocols, chemical handling (OSHA/SDS), and efficient maintenance techniques.
• Conduct performance reviews, address personnel issues, and assist in the hiring and onboarding of new department team members.

• Oversee the comprehensive maintenance of lawns, trees, shrubs, and flower beds, directing mowing, trimming, fertilization, and seasonal planting programs.
• Establish quality standards for weed control, debris removal, and litter management to guarantee a pristine campus environment.
• Develop and execute seasonal plans for large-scale operations, including snow and ice removal, leaf collection, and holiday decoration installations.
• Manage vendor relationships for contracted services such as commercial tree trimming and major landscaping projects.
• Maintain inventory and service records for all grounds equipment and exterior fixtures (signage, benches, fences).
• Execute turf management practices of aeration, over seeding, topdressing, verticutting, fertilizing, and weed control.

Applicable to Ice Arena and the Campus Garage. Coordinate and audit basic cleaning, sanitation, and minor building maintenance schedules (sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, trash removal) across all shifts.

• Serve as a point of contact for school event logistics, collaborating with administrative staff to understand staging and equipment needs.
• Delegate and oversee the setup and takedown of furniture, staging, and specialized equipment for assemblies, athletic events, musical performances, and community functions.
• Develop and maintain a good working relationship with the athletic department, trainers, and coaches.

• Supervise basic electrical and plumbing troubleshooting (e.g., light fixtures, ballast replacements, drain clearing,…