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Horticulture & Landscape Maintenance Supervisor

Northeastern University

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Posted:

November 6, 2025

Location:

Boston, Massachusetts

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Horticulture & Landscape Maintenance Supervisor

About the Opportunity

Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director, the Horticulture & Landscape Supervisor provides leadership and oversight of the daily operations of the university's grounds staff on the Boston campus. The Supervisor is responsible for ensuring safety, quality, and compliance with university standards while maintaining a landscape that supports and enhances the university's arboretum. While this position does not perform bargaining unit work, the successful candidate will blend horticultural expertise and leadership skills to guide grounds maintenance operations and preserve the distinctive character of our urban arboretum. This role requires an understanding of the challenges of caring for diverse plant collections as well as a commitment to creating and maintaining outdoor spaces that are reflective of our global university community.

The Horticulture & Landscape Supervisor is considered essential personnel. This is a condition of employment. Job description and schedule are subject to change due to University needs and demands.

Available schedule: Tuesday through Saturday, 6AM - 2:30PM

Qualifications & Certifications

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Landscape Management, Urban Forestry, or closely related field required; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered
Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in landscape or grounds maintenance required
Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience managing landscape or grounds crews required
Experience working in urban environments, arboretums, or university settings preferred.

Technical Competencies

Strong knowledge of plant identification and care, particularly woody and perennial species suitable for USDA Zone 6b
Understanding of urban soil conditions, turf care, and remediation techniques
Knowledge of sustainable landscaping practices, stormwater/green infrastructure, and integrated pest management
Familiarity with New England climate challenges, seasonal planning, plant selection, and snow/ice removal
Experience with landscape equipment, irrigations systems, and grounds safety standards

Required Certifications

Valid Massachusetts driver's license with clean driving record with a valid DOT Certificate
Massachusetts Pesticide Applicator License (Categories 36 & 37) or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire

Other Requirements

Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
Must lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly
Extensive walking across campus (73-acre Boston campus)
On-call availability for snow removal emergencies and storm response
Occasional evening and weekend work for special events and programs
Must successfully complete a criminal background check and motor vehicle record check

Preferred Qualifications

OSHA 10 (or equivalent) safety certification
OPSI Hoisting Engineer 2A/1C certification
Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) through PGMS
ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification/ISA Certified Arborist
Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist
Experience with GIS mapping and digital tree inventory systems

Key Accountabilities

Campus Landscape Operations (70%)

Coordinate daily assignments for 8-12 grounds staff, ensuring efficient operations across 11+ acres of campus landscape and hardscape.
Assess work quality, provide training on proper care techniques for trees and plant collections, and support skill-building and professional development.
Enforce safety protocols and ensure compliance with Northeastern University policies.
Manage and monitor snow removal/weather-related emergency crews, including assigning tasks, inspecting work, and ensuring operational standards are met.
Maintain high-traffic areas and manage snow removal operations to ensure pedestrian safety during New England winters.
Oversee irrigation systems and support water conservation initiatives.
Collaborate with campus departments to support special events and ceremonies and participate in Arbor Day and other arboretum-based educational programs.
Ensure campus grounds consistently meet PGMS Honor Award standards.

Horticultural Excellence (30%)

Oversee maintenance of signature campus features, including the Curry Student Center Koi Pond and Veterans Memorial Gardens.
Plan, manage, and implement seasonal plantings and displays featuring native New England species and international specimens to ensure year-round campus appeal.
Maintain campus ecosystems that support bee hotels and pollinator initiatives.

About Northeastern University's Arboretum

Northeastern University's Boston campus features the only university arboretum within Boston city limits. Our Level II ArbNet-accredited arboretum encompasses over 11 acres of green space in the heart of our urban campus, featuring more than 1,400 individual trees representing 143 different species. The arboretum recently received an Honor Award from the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) for exceptional grounds maintenance in Urban University Grounds. As a vital part of campus life, our arboretum serves as both an educational resource and an urban oasis for our diverse community of students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Position Type

Facilities

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Base Pay Rate:
$43.13

To apply, visit https://northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/job/Boston-MA-Main-Campus/Horticulture---Landscape-Maintenance-Supervisor_R136671

Internal Number: 6701394

About Northeastern University

Founded in 1898, Northeastern University is a private research university located in the heart of Boston. Northeastern is a leader in worldwide experiential learning, urban engagement, and interdisciplinary research that meets global and societal needs. Our broad mix of experience-based education programs?our signature cooperative education program, as well as student research, service learning, and global learning?build the connections that enable students to transform their lives. The University offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs leading to degrees through the doctorate in nine colleges and schools.

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Horticulture & Landscape Maintenance Supervisor

Northeastern University

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