Grounds Management at a Glance
As the Department of First Impressions, grounds are essential to projecting the correct image of an organization's health, longevity, and priorities. Organizations that invest in well maintained grounds provide social, economic, and environmental benefits to stakeholders and the surrounding community.
Grounds management professionals create safe, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing landscapes by:
- Utilizing technical expertise to make the most efficient use of human and financial capital;
- Leading team cultures focused on a high-quality product in a positive work environment;
- Protecting the environment through expert services in areas such as water conservation, chemical runoff, wildlife habitat, and air quality;
- Using organization foresight with design and maintenance practices to meet evolving stakeholder demands;
- Investing in continual professional development in four core competencies essential to a successful grounds operation:
- People, Leadership and Culture
- Financial and Program Management
- Technical Management
To learn more about the roles of responsibilities of grounds management professionals by core competency, click on the core competency below.
People, Leadership and Culture 
Communication
Grounds managers are responsible for extensive internal (direct team/organization) and external (customers/stakeholder/public) communication. Communication is both written and verbal, including marketing the purpose of the grounds department
within an organization. Transparency and accessibility are core leadership tenants to ensure clear and effective communication.
People, Leadership and Culture
Most grounds managers oversee multiple personnel and sub-departments. Grounds managers serve as their department's brand ambassadors, which can attract motivated and qualified talent while retaining and cultivating current talent.
Key areas within People, Leadership and Culture include:
- Recruiting, hiring, evaluation, and retention
- Diversity and Inclusion Training
- Use of job boards and employment websites
- Marketing
- Employee Benefits, Compensation, and Payroll
- Labor relations: union and non-union work environments
- Employment Contract Management following a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
- Compliance (state, federal, and local)
- Workers' compensation
- FMLA/FSLA/NLRA, etc.
- Anti-discrimination policies and training
- Development and Oversight of Workplace Policies
- Dress code, vacation, discipline, resource usage, internet usage, etc.
Leadership
Serving in a 360 leadership position, grounds managers are responsible for leadership at multiple levels. The cornerstone of effective leadership is culture, which is cultivated by authentic and transparent organizational leaders who consciously and consistently demonstrate behavior that aligns with the organizational culture they wish to foster. Cultures driven by leaders who engage in professional development and in turn, encourage their employees to participate in professional development see increases in workplace synergy, employee engagement, and reduce employee turnover.
- Culture
- Motivation
- Mentorship
- Professional Development
Safety/Regulatory Compliance
- Training
- Workers' compensation claims, settlements, and transition back to work
- Developing safety policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- OSHA
Financial and Program Management
Budget/Finance
- Supplies & Services Budget Development and Management
- CIP Budget Development and Management
- Cost-benefit analysis development
- Due diligence as to quality of proposed CIP buys
- Labor Budget Development and Management
- Budget Variance and Controls
- Forecasting
Contract Management
- Quality control/auditing scope adherence by contracted service providers
- Gatekeeping for out-of-scope tasks
- Developing requests for proposals/requests for quotes
- Scope/Specification development for contracted services
- Controlled Insurance Program (CIP) for construction projects
Examples of contracts that can fall under grounds management include:
- Arboriculture (large tree work, inventory, pruning, etc.)
- Mowing
- Irrigation
- Fencing
- Trash & Recycling removal
- Hardscape (pavers, concrete, asphalt) installation and maintenance
- Snow removal
Procurement
Due diligence as to pricing/efficacy of suppliers/services:
- Competitive bidding protocols for suppliers/service buys
- Quality/efficacy determination protocol development/adherence of equipment (non-CIP)/supplies/services
Technology
While the budget and need for technology will vary at each organization, grounds departments might utilize different technology applications for:
- Battery-powered and autonomous equipment
- Computer-aided design and drafting (CADD)
- Cloud-based programs for tree inventory, irrigation, etc.
- Drones
- Employment/HR software
- Environmental reporting software
- GIS
- Inventory Management
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
- Work order software
Technical Management 
Arboriculture
Grounds departments will vary with the scope of in-house or outsourced tree work. At a minimum, most grounds departments will oversee:
- Pruning
- Fertilization
- Hazardous tree identification and removal
- Trimming, removing dead branches
- Transplanting and removal
Additionally, many will have a Tree Management Plan.
Turfgrass Management
- Mowing
- Aeration
- Seeding
- Fertilizer applications
- IPM/Pesticide applications
Landscape Construction / Design
- Master Plan Development and Management
Horticulture
- Indoor Plants
- Outdoor Ornamental Horticulture
- Floriculture
- IPM/Pesticide applications
Safety in Design
- CPTED (when appropriate)
- Access management
- Stakeholder input and communication
- Proactive design and maintenance
- Emergency readiness
- Active shooter
- Fire
- Severe weather
*The information provided on this page was derived from a November 2022 survey of PGMS members. Responsibilities will vary by organization. This information is presented to provide an overview and insights into the broad responsibilities that grounds departments manage.
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