JOB SUMMARY
SoccerPlex Sports Turf Institute 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 8+ full-time people (including Apprentices) + additional part-time / Interns / etc
- Work with Director of Grounds to create & implement overall Grounds & Field Maintenance plan for 11cool season (Kentucky bluegrass / Perennial ryegrass) & 10 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 and proof of COVID vaccination
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
ABOUT MARYLAND SOCCERPLEX
SoccerPlex is one of the premier outdoor sports complexes in the United States. On the northwest side of Washington, DC in Boyds, MD, SoccerPlex hosts 6,000 events / year - for youth to Pro – across 24 full-size fields. Opened in 2000, SoccerPlex was built & is operated / maintained by Maryland Soccer Foundation (501c-3)
ABOUT SOCCERPLEX SPORTS TURF INSTITUTE
SoccerPlex Sports Turf Institute is tasked with maintaining the 160-acre SoccerPlex to the highest quality possible. The high quality kept on SoccerPlex's 21 heavily used natural grass fields is what the SoccerPlex team is best known for.
- SoccerPlex is constantly creating new ideas & testing new concepts for sports field maintenance (SFM)
- Widely used concepts for SFM that have originated at SoccerPlex include modern style fraze mowing, "Blue-muda", seed-to-play in 35 days w 100% Kentucky bluegrass, "rain-out proof" native soil fields, & #GrassCanTakeMore®
The unique work experience with GEM has yielded career success for many team members. GEM Alumni include:
- 5 - Director of SFM in MLS (1 MLS & NFL)
- 2 – Director of SFM for Parks & Recreation
- 2 - Manager of SFM in NCAA D-1
- 1 – large territory manager for a turfgrass sales company
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.
