INTRODUCTION TO MARYLAND SOCCERPLEX
Maryland SoccerPlex is a 24 field, 160 acre sports complex located on the northwest side of Washington, DC (Germantown, MD). SoccerPlex hosts over 6,000 events / year w multiple sports ranging in level from youth to Professional. SoccerPlex Grounds & Environmental Management (GEM) is tasked w maintaining the Grounds & Fields to the highest quality possible so that every field user has a Professional level type experience. That quality goal on high-use natural grass requires SoccerPlex GEM staff to think outside the box & push field maintenance beyond traditional limits. With that, high-use natural grass concepts that have roots at SoccerPlex include Modern style fraze mowing, "Blue-muda", Seed-to-play in 35 days , "Rain-out proof" native soil fields, & #GrassCanTakeMore. Alumni of SoccerPlex GEM from the last 10 years include: 6 Head / Director of Grounds (4 - MLS /NFL, 1 - NCAA D1, 1 - Parks & Recreation) / 1 - Assistant / Manager of Grounds (NCAA D-1) / 1 - territory manager for turfgrass sales company / & 1 - International Advisor for high-use natural grass fields.

JOB SUMMARY
SoccerPlex GEM is currently seeking an enthusiastic, positive, hard- working, self- starter to join the team as Manager of Grounds. This individual, as the #2 of the Grounds department, should be motivated, open minded & environmentally conscience.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Operations:

Coordinate with Director of Grounds to execute day to day operations
Coordinate with Assistant Manager of Events on day to day events
Manage staff of 6-8 full-time people, including 2 - Assistant Managers + additional part-time / Interns / etc
Work with Director of Grounds to create & implement overall Grounds & Field Maintenance plan for the Grounds & Fields - 12 cool season (Kentucky bluegrass / Perennial ryegrass) & 9 Bermudagrass fields - each 2.1 acres each
Operate turf maintenance equipment including various mowers, tractors, utility carts and other equipment essential to turf management operations
Become familiar with TurfTank GPS field lining robots that are essential to produce field layouts for various sports, events, and activities
Support implementation of equipment maintenance plan
Instructs equipment operators on the operation and care of mowers and other equipment
Coordinate maintenance of 3 artificial turf field surfaces
Execute environmental safety plan
Assist with field improvement projects such as drainage and irrigation installation/repair, reseeding/sodding/sprigging of fields, etc.
Train grounds staff in all aforementioned Operations skills
Assume duties of Director in Director’s absence
Other duties as assigned

Staff Management:

Supervise full-time, part-time and seasonal grounds staff on various projects
Manage full-time and part-time maintenance staff during events
Coordinate with SoccerPlex Facilities and Operations staff during league, tournaments, and special events
Ensure quality control and safety of subordinate work crews

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

2- or 4-year degree in turf/landscape management or similar degree
3+ years of staff management experience
3-4 years of turf management experience
Has or can obtain within a reasonable timeframe a Maryland Pesticide and Fertilizer License

PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALITIES

Team Player
Positive attitude
Attention to detail
Willingness to leave behind traditional ideas of natural grass maintenance & believe in the #GrassCanTakeMore philosophy of new-age Field Managers
Have experience with - & / or at least willing to adopt - a data guided field maintenance philosophy
Experience with POGO Turf Pro
Ability to communicate in Spanish preferred, but not required

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to work weekends, nights and irregular hours as needed
Ability to work in varying climates including extreme cold/heat, wind, rain, and snow
Ability to work in varying physical positions including standing, kneeling, seated, at height and the use of assistance equipment such ladders, lifts, and motor vehicles
Valid Driver’s License and safe driving record
Reliable transportation
Employment contingent upon successful completion of a background check

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Salary range: $60,000 - $80,000 (based on experience & fit)
Benefits including, health, dental, and vision coverage, 403b Retirement Plan, paid vacation available

MORE DETAILS ABOUT SOCCERPLEX

In South Germantown Park, SoccerPlex is a public-private partnership between the Maryland Soccer Foundation & Montgomery County Parks. The park itself is much larger, with additional soccer fields, diamond fields, & a cricket oval maintained by Montgomery County Parks.

The 24 fields at SoccerPlex include:

- 11- native soil Kentucky bluegrass / Perennial ryegrass fields: 8 have been recently renovated via fraze mowing + adding drainage / 3 are scheduled for renovation in the upcoming years

- 7 - native soil Bermudagrass fields: 2 have been recently renovated via fraze mowing + adding drainage / 3 are scheduled for renovation in the upcoming years)

- 2 - sand-capped Bermudagrass fields: 6" sand-capped w internal drainage

- 1 - Kentucky bluegrass Professional stadium field w full sand profile, drainage, & stability fibers blended into the sand (2011 & 2014 STMA Professional Field of the Year)

- 3 - AstroTurf synthetic turf fields
SoccerPlex Grounds & Field Maintenance is powered by a very large fleet of John Deere equipment supplied by Finch, Inc
SoccerPlex Grounds & Field Maintenance is guided by data from Natural Grass Advisory Group

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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