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.

Maryland SoccerPlex