Working Title: Irrigation and Landscape Zone Supervisor

State Role Title: Trades Technician III

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Business Services

Department: 100258 - Landscape E&G

Pay Band: 3

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $52,000 - $54,000 

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 5/8/2026

About JMU:

James Madison University is a publicly funded university with a beautiful campus and a supportive community that is committed to preparing students for the future. The university offers excellent comprehensive benefits which include paid vacation, sick, parental, and community service leave in addition to 19 paid holidays a year; affordable health insurance; retirement through the Virginia Retirement System. We also offer a work-life balance and integration program, Balanced Dukes, that is designed to support the overall wellbeing of our employees and a Tuition Waiver Program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.

Visit our Prospective Employee site to learn more about what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

General Information:

James Madison University’s Facilities Management is accepting applications for a Irrigation and Landscape Zone Supervisor. The regular schedule is Monday – Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., with an altered summer schedule and overtime as required to cover special events and inclement weather.

JMU offers excellent comprehensive benefits which include:

• Paid vacation, sick, parental, and community service leave.
• 19 paid holidays a year including one week off for Thanksgiving Break and almost two weeks off for Winter Break.
• Affordable health insurance; retirement through the Virginia Retirement System.
• A work-life balance and integration program, Balanced Dukes, that is designed to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.
• A Tuition Waiver Program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform skilled and technical work to maintain safe, functional, and attractive university grounds and landscaping.
• Supervise and perform installation, repair, inspection, and preventive maintenance of all irrigation systems, including oversight of contractor work.
• Utilize and train staff on the GIS utility location system for irrigation purposes.
• Develop and manage irrigation schedules based on site conditions, turf needs, and weather.
• Apply and monitor herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers in compliance with safety standards.
• Inspect irrigation systems regularly to ensure efficiency and minimize breakdowns.
• Supervise and perform routine landscape maintenance, including mowing, trimming, pruning, edging, grading, planting, and debris removal.
• Coordinate and assist with special events, athletic events, graduation, and other campus activities.
• Supervise snow and ice removal operations in assigned areas.
• Provide on-site training and support to staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Employee is required to work all home football games.
• The employee in this position will be considered designated, meaning the work performed is essential to university operations and the employee will be required to work during periods of authorized closings.

Qualifications:

Required:
• Demonstrated experience in the installation, repair, maintenance, and scheduling of turf irrigation systems.
• Knowledge of irrigation control systems; experience with Toro and Sentinel systems preferred.
• Ability to troubleshoot irrigation issues, install heads, and assist with irrigation design and layout.
• Knowledge of turf types (e.g., bent, Bermuda, bluegrass, fescue, rye) and their specific care and irrigation requirements.
• Working knowledge of grounds maintenance practices, including use of grass seed, sod, fertilizers, and control of turf diseases, pests, and weeds.
• Knowledge of excavation practices and ability to read and interpret blueprints and site plans.
• Experience operating grounds and landscaping equipment, including tractors, mowers, trenchers, seeders, spreaders, sweepers, and snow removal equipment.
• Supervisory and leadership skills, including the ability to plan, schedule, prioritize work, and evaluate staff performance.
• Ability to maintain records, perform basic mathematical calculations, and inspect landscapes for deficiencies.
• Ability to respond to irrigation emergencies and adapt to changing workloads.
• Knowledge of safety procedures related to groundskeeping and chemical application.
• Applicants must be at least 19 years old, possess a valid driver’s license for a minimum of 24 consecutive months and an acceptable motor vehicle report.

Additional Considerations:
• Possession of or willingness to obtain a Virginia Responsible Land Disturber (RLD) License along with fertilizer and pesticide applicator certifications.

Additional Posting Information:

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.