Grounds Lead

Posting Number

STA00740PO26

Job Family

Building and Grounds Maintenance

Job Function

Facilities Maintenance

USC Market Title

Maintenance Tech

Link to USC Market Title

https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/132151

Job Level

T2 - Technical Support

Business Title (Internal Title)

Grounds Lead

Campus

Beaufort

Work County

Beaufort

College/Division

USC Beaufort College/Division Level

Department

BFT Grounds Services

State Pay Range

G06

USC Market Range

MRC - $41,073 $50,315 $59,556

Anticipated Hiring Range

Commensurate with experience and education

Location of Vacancy

USC Beaufort supported area

Part/Full Time

Full Time

Hours per Week

40

Work Schedule

Standard working schedule: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm, Schedule may be changed by the supervisor to meet the needs of the University.

Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department. Can include nights and weekends.

Basis

12 months

Job Search Category

Trades/Maintenance

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Benefits for FTE Positions

The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary

GROUNDS****LEAD

University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB)

Help Keep the Lowcountry—and USCB—Beautiful

The University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) is seeking an experienced and dependable Grounds Lead to provide hands-on leadership in maintaining the University’s beautiful coastal campuses.

Located in the heart of South Carolina’s Lowcountry, USCB offers the opportunity to build a rewarding career while helping create safe, welcoming, and attractive outdoor environments for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Make an Impact on Campus

The Grounds Lead performs and supervises grounds maintenance activities across USCB’s landscaped and natural areas, walkways, driveways, parking areas, and other outdoor spaces. This position provides day-to-day direction to grounds personnel while actively participating in the work necessary to maintain the appearance, safety, and functionality of University property.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead & Supervise: Plan, assign, perform, and oversee daily grounds maintenance activities while ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and according to University standards.
• Maintain Campus Landscapes: Direct and perform turf maintenance, planting bed care, tree and shrub maintenance, and general landscape improvements.
• Manage Seasonal Operations: Coordinate and participate in spring cleanup, fall leaf removal, planting, pruning, and other seasonal grounds activities.
• Support Grounds & Weed Management: Control weeds using appropriate mechanical and chemical methods while following established safety procedures.
• Maintain Safe & Welcoming Outdoor Spaces: Help ensure landscaped areas, natural areas, sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, and other campus grounds are maintained to a high standard.
• Support the Campus Community: Assist with outdoor and indoor event setups for University meetings, conferences, student activities, and special events.

More Than Grounds Maintenance

At USCB, our campuses are an important part of the student experience. The Grounds Lead plays a key role in creating the first impression of our University and maintaining outdoor spaces where students learn, connect, celebrate, and build community.

We are looking for a candidate who takes pride in their work, can effectively lead and motivate a grounds team, understands safe landscape maintenance practices, and is ready to be an active part of a growing university community.

Work Where Others Vacation

With campuses located in Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head Island, USCB is surrounded by the natural beauty and distinctive character of the South Carolina Lowcountry. Join a university where your work can make a visible difference every day.

Bring your leadership, grounds maintenance experience, and commitment to excellence to USCB—and help us keep our campuses beautiful, safe, and ready to welcome the Sand Shark community.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Requires job related accreditation from a technical school or an applicable skilled trades program and 2 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

Drivers license

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of safety practices, tools, equipment, materials and supplies used in maintenance of grounds. Ability to perform heavy manual labor. South Carolina pesticide license

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Knowledge of safety practices, tools, equipment, materials and supplies used in
maintenance of grounds. Skills in making emergency and general repairs and adjustments to equipment used in building and maintenance work. Ability to perform heavy manual labor. Landscape industry knowledge

Job Duties

Job Duty

Plans, performs and directs personnel in the maintenance of facility grounds including all landscaped areas, natural areas, walks, driveways and parking areas. Performs and directs
seasonal grounds maintenance work, including turf maintenance, planting bed maintenance, tree & shrub care, spring cleanup and fall leaf cleanup. Control weeds both mechanically and chemically.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

50

Job Duty

Performs and directs personnel and contractors in the completion of landscape construction
activities.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

25

Job Duty

Performs maintenance on grounds equipment.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

10

Job Duty

Performs other maintenance duties, including assisting with event setups for meetings, conferences and student activities.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

15

Position Attributes

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive

Yes

Hazardous weather category

Essential

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies

1

Desired Start Date

Job Open Date

09/30/2026

Job Close Date

Open Until Filled

No

Special Instructions to Applicant

Positions will remain posted on our employment website for a minimum of five (5) business days. After this period, postings may be closed at the department’s discretion. Our site is updated regularly, and the length of the recruitment and screening process may vary depending on the position and related factors. If your qualifications are selected for further consideration, you will be contacted directly by phone or email.

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

Quicklink for Posting

https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/213992

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.