Grounds Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Grounds Manager reports to the Director of Grounds / Community General Manager and plays a key leadership role within the Martis Camp Community Association (MCCA), overseeing the daily operations, planning, coordination, and execution of landscape and grounds maintenance operations throughout the community.

This is not a routine landscape management position. It is an opportunity to help lead and care for one of the most remarkable private mountain communities in the country — a 2,177-acre community near Lake Tahoe featuring parks, trails, recreation amenities, gathering spaces, water features, and extraordinary year-round natural environments.

The Grounds Manager supervises landscape teams and contractors while helping shape the property’s overall appearance, environmental stewardship, safety, and long-term care. This exempt level role combines leadership, horticulture, project management, operational planning, member interaction, and four-season mountain operations in a setting that feels less like a traditional job and more like managing a private national park.

The ideal candidate brings a balance of hands-on field leadership, operational discipline, horticultural expertise, and pride in maintaining exceptional outdoor environments with high presentation standards.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Grounds Operations & Team Leadership 35%

• Lead and oversee daily grounds maintenance operations throughout the community.

• Supervise, mentor, schedule, and support grounds team members and contractors.

• Maintain exceptional presentation standards across parks, trails, gathering spaces, landscaped areas, recreation amenities, road corridors, and common areas.

• Coordinate and oversee pruning, planting, annual and perennial color programs, turf maintenance, irrigation operations, and native landscape management.

• Assist with snow operations, seasonal transitions, and weather-related operational preparedness.

• Monitor property conditions and proactively identify maintenance priorities and improvement opportunities.

Landscape Stewardship & Environmental Management 25%

• Support long-term stewardship and preservation of Martis Camp’s native mountain landscape environment.

• Oversee irrigation system operations, troubleshooting, repairs, and water management practices.

• Assist with forestry operations, defensible space initiatives, erosion control, and environmental compliance programs.

• Coordinate with vendors and contractors to ensure alignment with community standards and environmental objectives.

• Support Best Management Practices (BMPs), Firewise initiatives, and sustainable landscape management strategies.

Project Management & Operational Coordination 20%

• Lead and coordinate landscape improvement projects, seasonal enhancements, and operational initiatives.

• Assist with planning and execution of capital improvement and infrastructure-related landscape projects.

• Coordinate logistics, materials, vendors, and staffing resources for grounds-related projects and community events.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal departments, including Roads, Forestry, Security, Club Grounds, and Facilities teams.

• Support operational planning for peak summer and winter seasons while minimizing disruption to members and residents.

Member Experience & Community Presentation 10%

• Maintain a visible and professional presence throughout the property.

• Interact professionally and courteously with members, guests, residents, and staff.

• Help create outdoor environments that enhance the overall member experience and reflect Martis Camp standards.

• Support community events and special projects as assigned.

Other Duties & Projects Assigned by Management 10%

• Participate in special projects, operational initiatives, and departmental support activities as assigned.

• Assist with emergency response, storm preparation, wildfire readiness, and seasonal operational needs.

• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

KNOWLEDGE –

• Landscape and Grounds Management: Knowledge of horticulture, turf care, pruning, irrigation systems, planting programs, and native mountain ecosystems.

• Irrigation Operations: Understanding of irrigation troubleshooting, repairs, scheduling, and water management practices.

• Environmental Stewardship: Familiarity with sustainable landscape practices, defensible space concepts, erosion control, and environmental compliance standards.

• Operational Planning: Understanding of staffing coordination, scheduling, resource management, and contractor oversight.

• Mountain Operations: Awareness of four-season mountain operational demands, including snow operations and weather-related impacts.

SKILLS –

• Leadership: Ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams in a high-expectation environment.

• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills with team members, vendors, management, and residents.

• Organization: Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and operational demands efficiently.

• Problem Solving: Ability to assess conditions and proactively resolve operational and landscape issues.

• Technical Proficiency: Competence using Microsoft Office products and operational tracking systems.

• Time Management: Ability to prioritize tasks and adjust schedules based on weather, projects, and seasonal demands.

ABILITIES –

• Exercise Independent Judgment: Make sound operational decisions with minimal supervision.

• Lead Field Operations: Successfully manage crews and contractors in dynamic outdoor environments.

• Maintain High Standards: Uphold Martis Camp’s quality, safety, and presentation expectations.

• Adapt to Seasonal Demands: Adjust operations based on changing mountain weather and seasonal priorities.

• Work Outdoors: Ability to work extended hours outdoors in varying weather conditions.

• Represent the Organization Professionally: Interact professionally with members, guests, vendors, and outside agencies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS – EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND LICENSES:

• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant landscape, grounds, or horticultural management experience.

• Strong knowledge of pruning, turf management, planting, annual/perennial care, and native ecosystems.

• Experience with irrigation systems, operations, and repairs.

• Resource management experience and strong organizational skills.

• Proficiency with PCs and Microsoft Office products.

• Valid driver’s license with insurability under company policy.

• Strong written and verbal English communication skills; Spanish helpful but not required.

• California DPR applicator certificate/license preferred, or willingness to obtain within six months of employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to regularly lift up to 55 pounds.

• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in changing mountain weather conditions, including heat, cold, snow, rain, and smoke.

• Ability to safely navigate uneven terrain and active work environments.

• Ability to operate safely around landscape equipment, vehicles, and operational work zones.

SCHEDULE & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The strongest candidates will bring a blend of landscape leadership, horticultural expertise, operational discipline, and a commitment to creating memorable outdoor environments.

This position requires some evenings, weekends, and holidays. Summer workdays often begin around 5:30 a.m., with schedules shifting seasonally based on operations, events, projects, and weather conditions.

Possible housing assistance may be available.

BENEFITS:

• Performance bonus opportunity

• Possible member holiday fund bonus

• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance

• 401(k) with 7% match

• Clothing/uniform program

• Annual fitness bonus

• Education and professional development reimbursement

• Mobile phone stipend

• Possible housing assistance

SALARY RANGE: $90,000 - $120,000/yr