Assistant Superintendent of Grounds

Title: Assistant Superintendent of Grounds

Division Name: Finance and Planning

Department: Campus Services Division / Grounds

Under administrative supervision from the Superintendent of Grounds, this position plans, organizes, directs, and implements the goals and objectives of Grounds Operations, serving as second in command.

Responsible for 400+ acres of the campus of Illinois State University. This includes maintenance, design, and long‑range planning for all outdoor lawns, pest control, trees, flower beds, and other horticultural areas.

Prepares landscape designs, approves plant selection, and oversees the installation of landscape projects throughout campus.

Oversees ornamental horticulture maintenance programs for campus green spaces including greenhouses, turf areas, lawns, trees, shrubs, and other plant materials.

Responsible for administrative functions such as budget planning and forecasting. Serves as the horticulture expert for campus and community events and committees such as Tree Campus Higher Education.

• Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
• Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
• Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
• Paid holiday and administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
• Paid benefit time

For more University Benefit information: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

Information regarding eligibility for participation in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program can be reviewed here /

$65,000 - $70,000 annual

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Any one or combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the categories below:
  • Coursework in horticulture, landscape design, or a closely related field as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
    • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
    • Associate’s degree (60 semester hours) equals 18 months (18 months)
    • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
• Additional one (1) year (12 months) of supervisory work experience in grounds maintenance
• Valid State of Illinois driver’s license
• Must complete a post‑offer pre‑employment physical. Employment is contingent on the successful results of the physical.

NOTE: Must acquire a Class C non‑CDL driver’s license within first five (5) months of employment.

• Knowledge of planting, care, and maintenance of lawns, trees, shrubs, and flowers including chemical applications, inspection, and assessment of plants.
• Experience development design plans for green spaces.
• Eligibility for licensure to apply pesticides under the Illinois Pesticides Act, the category of the license depending on the nature of the work to be performed; the license must be obtained with the probationary period.
• Knowledge of and previous experience supervising greenhouse operations.
• Experience with the tools and equipment required to successfully perform job duties.
• Project management experience in supervising ornamental horticulture landscape projects of varying sizes.
• Experience in preparing budgets for Grounds projects, annual planting needs and purchase or replacement of equipment.
• Strong communication skills in order to interact with the general public as well as other University personnel.

Core work hours:
Monday - Friday; 7:00 a.m.

- 3:00 p.m.

• Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Must be able to bend, twist, kneel or crouch for up to three hours at a time
• Ability to lift 50 pounds

Work Environment - temperatures can reach extremes in summer months and winter during planting and maintenance seasons. Work is performed both indoors and outdoors.

August 2026

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and, if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an…