How to hire a grounds supervisor

How to hire a grounds supervisor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step grounds supervisor hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a grounds supervisor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new grounds supervisor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the grounds supervisor you need to hire. Certain grounds supervisor roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A grounds supervisor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, grounds supervisors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents grounds supervisor salaries for various positions.

   Type of Grounds Supervisor	Description	Hourly rate
   Grounds Supervisor		$12-23
   Lead Mechanic	A lead mechanic coordinates the teams of mechanics and ensures the timely completion of repairs. Lead mechanics supervise their subordinates, order mechanical parts, and inspect their work making sure that the standards are met... Show more	$19-35
   Maintenance Manager	A maintenance manager's role is to lead and oversee the workflow and workforce involved in the upkeep of a building or establishment. Duties include ensuring that all aspects are operational and in good condition... Show more	$22-52

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Mowing
   • Grounds Maintenance
   • Safety Procedures
   • GRASS
   • Hand Tools
   • Snow Removal
   • Irrigation Systems
   • CDL
   • Rakes
   • Pest Control
   • Blowers
   • Safety Regulations
   • Grounds Equipment
   • Mowers

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage sales, run machinary, complete wekly inventory, run forklift, deliver orders, and keep financial records
   • Operate vehicles/powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, or snow blowers.
   • Coordinate all contract mowing and snow removal for all FCPS schools sites as well as administrative and warehouse facilities.
   • Cut grass using gasoline-fuel riding lawn mowers, push (walk-behind) power lawnmowers, string trimmers and edger's.
   • Mow, weed eat, trim trees and hedges.
   • Develop a chemical maintenance plan that addresses the needs of both the turf grass and landscapes.

   More grounds supervisor duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your grounds supervisor job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A grounds supervisor can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, grounds supervisors' average salary in south carolina is 44% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level grounds supervisors 48% less than senior-level grounds supervisors.
   • Certifications. A grounds supervisor with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a grounds supervisor's salary.

   Average grounds supervisor salary

   $35,208yearly

   $16.93 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level grounds supervisor salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average grounds supervisor salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$48,666	$23
   2	District of Columbia	$47,777	$23
   3	Washington	$40,166	$19
   4	Arizona	$39,585	$19
   5	Florida	$37,958	$18
   6	Nevada	$37,957	$18
   7	Michigan	$37,391	$18
   8	New Mexico	$36,805	$18
   9	Illinois	$35,704	$17
   10	Pennsylvania	$35,414	$17
   11	Texas	$33,700	$16
   12	Oklahoma	$32,757	$16
   13	Ohio	$32,732	$16
   14	Indiana	$29,323	$14
   15	North Carolina	$29,316	$14
   16	South Carolina	$27,358	$13

   Average grounds supervisor salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	University of California	$46,607	$22.41	5
   2	Clean Harbors	$43,709	$21.01	2
   3	Broward County Public Schools	$40,443	$19.44
   4	Northern Quest Resort & Casino	$39,897	$19.18
   5	Benchmark Group	$37,919	$18.23
   6	Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University	$37,459	$18.01	2
   7	Cecil College	$37,019	$17.80
   8	ASRC Federal	$36,903	$17.74	4
   9	Shady Side Academy	$36,683	$17.64	2
   10	WFF Facility Services	$35,884	$17.25
   11	Bell Partners	$35,765	$17.19	9
   12	ABM Industries	$35,716	$17.17	75
   13	Trinity Health	$35,625	$17.13	5
   14	Universal Alloy	$34,626	$16.65
   15	Palace Entertainment	$33,988	$16.34
   16	State Of Illinois - Illinois Student Assistance Commission	$33,894	$16.30	1
   17	Peckham	$33,335	$16.03
   18	Travel and Transport	$33,323	$16.02	17
   19	Cal-am Properties, Inc.	$33,225	$15.97	5
   20	Tresco	$32,872	$15.80	3

4. Writing a grounds supervisor job description

   A grounds supervisor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a grounds supervisor job description:

   Grounds supervisor job description example

   Charlestown is a beautiful 110-acre continuing care retirement community located just minutes from Baltimore in the charming neighborhood of Catonsville, Maryland. We're part of a growing network of communities developed and managed by Erickson Senior Living, a national provider of senior living and health care with campuses in 11 states-and growing.
   
   We are hiring a Grounds Supervisor for our award-winning, gated retirement community. This position is responsible for the overall grounds maintenance of the Campus, supervision of all grounds employees, and management of all contract administrative functions related to the Grounds Department.
   Compensation: commensurate with experience starting at $24 per hour
   
   **How you will make an impact:**
   
   + Perform the administrative duties of the Grounds Department, including developing and managing a budget and purchasing equipment/supplies.
   
   + Interviewing and hiring of staff, employee coaching, counseling, performance appraisals, and contract administration
   
   + Train employees on the use of the equipment and safety standards and policies.
   
   + Supervise and assist in all operations of the Grounds Department, including maintaining all lawns, trees, gardens, shrubbery, plants, and ponds.
   
   + Maintain all parking areas, install and maintain exterior signs.
   
   + Cleaning of all exterior windows and doors, remove snow and ice from roads and walks.
   
   + Planning, purchasing, and coordinating seasonal decorating. Assist residents with gardening.
   
   **What we offer:**
   
   + Competitive benefits packages including medical, dental, vision, and PTO
   
   + 401k for all employees 18 and over. Company contribution up to 3% once eligible.
   
   + Education assistance, certification reimbursement, and student loan refinancing partnership programs are available.
   
   + Gated community with 24/7 security.
   
   + Onsite medical centers, providing wellness visits and sick care for all employees over 18 years of age.
   
   + Free onsite parking at all of our communities and corporate offices
   
   + A culture of diversity and inclusion, which builds on our values, vision, and mission.
   
   **What you will need:**
   
   + Associates Degree in Horticulture or related field preferred
   
   + High school diploma or GED required.
   
   + 5 years of experience in grounds maintenance.
   
   + 3 years of supervisory experience.
   
   Erickson Senior Living, its affiliates, and managed communities are Equal Opportunity Employers and are committed to providing a workplace free of unlawful discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, veteran status, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find grounds supervisors for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any grounds supervisors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level grounds supervisors with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your grounds supervisor job on Zippia to find and recruit grounds supervisor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit grounds supervisors, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new grounds supervisor

   Once you've selected the best grounds supervisor candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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