Our Company

The Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation (TRMF) is a premier tourism operation and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. TRMF welcomes hundreds of thousands of guests each year through a diverse lineup of entertainment, historical, and educational attractions. We are committed to connecting people to Medora through positive, life-changing experiences.

Summary/Objective

The Grounds Manager leads the maintenance and enhancement of the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation’s (TRMF) outdoor environment, overseeing grounds operations to maintain attractive landscapes and horticultural excellence.

Duties/Responsibilities

Grounds care and seasonal operations

• Oversee the daily care, maintenance, and appearance of all outdoor areas, including lawns, flower beds, ornamental plants, shrubs, and trees using best practices and sustainable landscaping methods.
• Develop and implement seasonal landscaping plans, including plant rotation, replacement, and enhancement projects, to ensure optimal year-round presentation and plant health.
• Inspect grounds and landscaped areas for plant-health concerns, appearance deficiencies, and safety hazards affecting guests and employees. Prioritize corrective measures, implement improvements within the department’s scope, and report issues requiring support from the Maintenance Director or other departments.
• Supervise all mowing, trimming, pruning, planting, fertilizing, irrigating, treating, removing, and replacing of plants, shrubs, trees, hedges, and flowerbeds.
• Manage irrigation schedules and inspect irrigation systems for leaks, coverage problems, and operating deficiencies. Coordinate repairs, seasonal startup, and winterization with maintenance staff or qualified contractors.
• Plan and oversee snow and ice removal from assigned outdoor areas, prioritizing guest and employee access routes. Coordinate staffing, equipment readiness, and response activities with the Maintenance Director.

Equipment operation and maintenance

• Oversee the safe operation, preventative maintenance, servicing, and repair of landscaping and grounds equipment.
• Perform routine maintenance on power equipment and identify service or repair needs requiring additional support.
• Operate landscaping and grounds equipment when necessary, including mowers, trimmers, blowers, compressors, utility vehicles, and other related equipment.

Team leadership and TRMF coordination

• Lead the grounds team by assigning daily responsibilities, providing instruction and assistance, monitoring performance, and ensuring work is completed properly and on schedule.
• Maintain accurate employee timekeeping records and review and approve timecards.
• Coordinate, supervise, and evaluate work performed by outside vendors and contractors.
• Coordinate grounds maintenance with lodging, events, and other resort departments to minimize disruption to guests and scheduled activities. Communicate work schedules, temporary access restrictions, and project impacts to affected departments.
• Attend required staff and management meetings.

Budget, purchasing, and capital planning

• Prepare and manage the department’s annual operating budget. Monitor results against budget goals and take corrective action as necessary.
• Track departmental expenses, including payroll, supplies, fertilizers, chemicals, equipment, repairs, and contracted services.
• Identify, recommend, and plan capital improvements and major equipment purchases.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels of plants, landscaping materials, fertilizers, chemicals, supplies, tools, and equipment. Place orders as needed to replenish inventory.

Safety, procedures, and records

• Maintain accurate maintenance logs, equipment service schedules, expense records, regulatory documentation, and required departmental reports.
• Prepare, update, and maintain the Grounds Operational Manual and related departmental procedures.
• Implement and enforce departmental safety programs in compliance with TRMF policies.
• Ensure chemicals, fertilizers, and other controlled materials are safely used, stored, documented, and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations.

Additional duties

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Supervisory

• Interview and hire seasonal grounds department employees. Train, schedule, coach, and manage employees, including evaluating performance and administering discipline.

Skills/Abilities

• Ability to operate several types of power equipment including lawnmowers, trimmers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, chippers, tillers, other landscaping equipment, and snow removal machines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record. CDL is desirable.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in management, horticulture, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience in place of a degree.
• Currently possess or have the ability to obtain within 90 days of employment a ND Herbicide Applicator’s License.
• 2-4 years of progressive experience in landscaping or horticulture.
• Proven experience working with a workforce of varying skill levels.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outdoor conditions, including hot, dry, wet, and humid conditions and extreme heat. The employee is also regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Lifting and/or moving requirements are up to 10 pounds regularly, up to 25 pounds frequently, and up to 50 pounds occasionally. The employee is required to have good vision to operate equipment effectively.

AAP/EEO Statement

It is the policy of TRMF to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, TRMF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.