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
