Manager, Grounds and Utilities Operations

Job Posting Title

Manager, Grounds and Utilities Operations

Employee Type

Regular

Recruiting Start Date

11-03-2026

Job Exempt?

Yes

Recruiting End Date

Open Until Filled

Aloha mai!Mahalo for your interest in Kamehameha Schools.If you are looking for an opportunity to utilize your skills and talents and grow in your profession, while serving and strengthening our Native Hawaiian community, we would love to have you join our ʻohana!

Kamehameha School, Hawaii Campus is looking for a Manager, Grounds & Utilities Operations to lead the day-to-day operations of both our Grounds & Utility teams.  The Grounds team maintains the campus landscaping and outdoor facilities, ensuring the environment is safe, clean, attractive, and ready for daily use.  The Utilities team leads the set up & break down for various campus events.

This role is responsible for supervising personnel, managing departmental operations and budgets, and delivering high-quality service across campus.  This position also provides secondary leadership for the Custodial team.

Our ideal candidate will have…

• Proven experience managing and developing large teams, including scheduling, hiring, performance management, and employee development.
• Leadership experience in either Groundskeeping/Landscaping or Convention Services, preferably within educational institutions, hospitals, hotels, resorts or other larger organizations with high standards.
• Experience managing departmental budgets, staffing resources, and operational priorities.
• Strong organizational, communication, and customer service skills with a commitment to excellence and team success.

Job Summary

Leads the day to day operations of the Grounds and Custodial department including supervision of staff, servicing of clients, and securing and issuing appropriate work products to meet overall  daily operation needs. Keeps abreast of industry trends and developments.

Essential Responsibilities

Staff Supervision

• Provides supervision of all Grounds and Custodial staff including making hire and termination recommendations; setting performance standards,  sustainable cleaning practices, and providing written performance evaluations and feedback.
• Manages the culture of the work team by strengthening communication and nurturing a collaborative work environment.
• Provides appropriate professional development opportunities to maximize the growth of staff to align with the future-focused direction of the department.
• Plans, schedules, and resolves workflow challenges to ensure campus needs are met.
• Develops new work methods when appropriate.
• Assigns work to maximize group strengths.
• Consults with Director and implements disciplinary actions as warranted, coaches, develops and provides training and motivation to make full use of individual capabilities to meet changing operating demands.
• Monitors all staff time and attendance records, completes staff payroll and is responsible for approval/denial recommendations for vacation and leave requests.  Supervises multiple work shifts, which requires availability to respond to non-routine occurrences requiring quick decisions and follow up actions.  Develops and communicates detailed job expectations for the department line staff.  Prepares and performs staff evaluations. Tracks all scoring to ensure consistent supportable rating available at year end.

Program Management

• Establishes standards of service for Grounds and Custodial staff to ensure facilities are cleaned and groomed regularly and are well maintained.
• Reviews, prioritizes and assigns work orders as they relate to facility set ups for events, changes to building configurations and miscellaneous faculty requests.
• Conducts routine inspections to ensure work quality maintained.
• Ensures the safe handling of hazardous chemicals and materials by establishing procedures aligned to industry best practices.
• Provides hands-on training to regular and part-time staff to safely handle specific work in assigned areas to include specialty grounds and custodial responsibilities; and trains staff to adhere to standard and Hazardous Material safety procedures.
• Maintains the Hazardous Material Safety Data Sheet Folder on a consistent and regular basis.
• Ensures work group adherence to safety procedures and precautions.
• Ensures compliance with all governmental regulations for activities performed by the grounds service.
• Serves as an SME by providing input and recommendations for procedural and process changes as well as decisions around building maintenance.

Inventory and Equipment

• In concert with line staff, ensures all tools and equipment are properly maintained and in proper working order.
• Ensures the work groups are supplied with the necessary equipment (including safety) and supplies needed to complete their work.
• Maintains adequate inventory of supplies.
• Assures storage and use of supplies and chemicals comply with local, state and federal regulations.
• Ensures operational storage areas are neat, organized and safely secured.
• Performs inventory of equipment.
• May pick up and deliver material and equipment for the work crew.
• May work odd shifts as required for special projects.

Position Requirements

Minimum Qualifications - An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute for the requirements listed.

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum 3 years' experience overseeing a multi-skilled workforce including the establishment of work schedules that maximize utilization of staff.
• Demonstrated leadership ability to include effective motivational, developmental and coaching techniques for all levels of staff.
• Previous supervisory experience with scheduling, evaluations, disciplinary procedures, training.
• Excellent customer service skills to work with internal and external clients.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple functions and priorities in an efficient manner. 
• Ability to maintain composure, tact, sensitivity and flexibility during peak periods and crisis intervention situations.
• Ability to manage people and coordinate work efficiently and effectively.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of staff; must be able to clearly communicate job assignments and work directions to work groups; and train staff on standard and hazardous material safety procedures.
• Excellent oral and writing skills needed to clearly communicate instructions to support staff.
• Ability to work effectively with work crews to create an effective team; resolve conflicts among workers; and be responsive to staff concerns.
• Ability to remain flexible in scheduling work assignments on a daily basis; including working odd shifts for short periods of time/special projects.
• Working knowledge of the safe application, storage and disposal of fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions and simple sketches, work independently with little or no supervision,
• Performs work with due regard for safety of self and fellow workers, exercising proper care and protection of KSBE property.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Work evenings and weekends as necessary; be accessible and available in the event of emergencies or when needed to meet the ongoing mission of KS.
• Demonstrates professional knowledge regarding facilities maintenance, horticultural practices, landscape maintenance procedures, and irrigation; presents oneself as a landscape and custodial maintenance expert to clients, vendors, and suppliers; understands industry best practices and trends.

Preferred Qualifications

• Work experience with a multi-service function (custodial, grounds, maintenance, etc.).
• Bachelor’s degree in management or related field or work experience.
• Experience overseeing construction projects and working with consultants, contractors and vendors.
• Knowledge of OSHA and EPA rules and regulations.
• Experience with Green Seal certification.
• Proven experience in working with a workforce of varying skill levels.
• Sensitivity with Hawaiian culture and Christian values.
• Experience and knowledge of school operations.
• Knowledge of the interrelationship of various departments to ensure the smooth coordination of the work.
• Working knowledge of the proper use and maintenance of tools used working with grounds keeping and building custodial functions.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently sit, perform desk-based computer tasks and grasp light/fine manipulation.
• Ability to handle, lift and move items and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• Ability to handle the physical demands of the job to include, but not limited to, squatting, kneeling, crouching, stooping, climbing hills and working in cramped or awkward positions

Working Conditions

• Work is conducted in an office environment but the purpose of the work may require work to be conducted in non-standard workplaces.
• Work is typically conducted Monday through Friday at regular business hours but evening and weekend hours may be required to meet goals and objectives.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbents assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities, duties and skills required. The incumbent may be expected to perform other duties as assigned.

For Internal Use Only: #LI-CAR

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Please contact us at [email protected] or 808-534-8040 if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job.  Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

KS does not accept unauthorized solicitations of candidate referrals from third-party vendors (i.e. Staffing Agencies, Executive Recruitment Firms).  Any third-party vendor who has interest in supporting KS's recruiting efforts must be authorized by Human Resources prior to the vendor’s candidate applying with KS.  

Work Year

12

Pay Range

81,500.00 - 111,700.00 Annual

Compensation and Benefits

Based on the compensation range provided below, salaries are commensurate with job-related experience, skills and competencies, education, internal equity, length of work year, and other organizational needs.

At Kamehameha Schools (KS), we recognize that compensation is just one facet of a fulfilling employment experience. Our commitment lies in fostering a positive work environment and equipping employees with the necessary resources to excel every day. Our Total Rewards Program embodies KS's dedication to the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our employee ʻohana. Explore our comprehensive Benefits Summary for more information.

Primary Location

Hawaii Campus

City, State

Keaau, Hawaii

Additional Locations