Career Center

Director, Athletics Grounds
Position Number: 40070309
Payroll Title: LANDSCAPE GROUNDS SUPV 1
Application Review Begins: 03/05/2026
Department Code (Name): ATHL (ATHLETICS)
FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary Grade: Grade 21
Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $80,000 to $90,000/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $71,600 to $127,400/year.
Work Location: ICA Venues

Brief Summary of Job Duties:
Reporting to the Deputy Athletics Director – External for Intercollegiate Athletics, oversees the maintenance and operations of natural grass fields, synthetic fields, and facilities at Harder Stadium, Clemmenson Field, Caesar Uyesaka Stadium, Campus Diamond, Arnhold Tennis Center and other spaces as assigned for Intercollegiate Athletics. The employee works with coaches, staff, and the grounds crew on a daily basis to provide support to intercollegiate athletic teams and programs. Provides immediate supervision to a unit or group of operational or technical employees and must have strong skills in all areas in order to effectively oversee the staff. Supervises unit operations to ensure compliance with departmental or organizational policies, procedures, and defined internal controls. A portion of time may be spent performing individual tasks related to the unit; however, supervisory activities must constitute a primary part of the job. Ensures accountability and stewardship of department resources (operational, financial, and human) in compliance with departmental standards and procedures. Athletics fields require health monitoring, including scouting for stress, disease, and invasive weeds. They feature a variety of innovations including the synthetic sand / rubber turf mix, water cannon irrigation systems, subsurface drainage systems, and a variety of natural grass playing surfaces. Natural grass playing surfaces must maintain elite hybrid Bermudagrass to meet complex NCAA, FIFA and other collegiate and professional industry standard regulations, including precise mowing heights and playability standards. Maintenance of high-performance sports turf and synthetic surfaces field marking & logos, event preparation & practice support for NCAA Division I athletic teams, equipment operation (mowers, tractors, sweepers), irrigation installation & repair chemical application. The position also involves planning, organizing, coordinating and performing activities supporting department’s sports facilities, playing fields, and exterior landscaping, including gardening, planting, landscape, grounds maintenance, erosion, pest management, and exterior fire control projects.

Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of the cultural practices required for Bermudagrass at a professional/division 1 sports level
• Ability and experience maintaining high quality low cut natural grass athletic fields.
• Ability and experience in NCAA and/or professional sport team athletic field marking and painting
• Working knowledge of reel mowers, and associated turfgrass equipment
• Working verbal and written communication skills in the English language, including active listening, flexibility, critical thinking, and the ability to multi-task and ensure effective time management.
• Working decision making, reasoning, troubleshooting skills, and ability to develop original ideas to solve problems and conduct operations analysis and quality control analysis.
• Knowledge and previous experience working with NCAA Division 1/professional sport team/national sport team baseball, softball, tennis, soccer, track and field
• Working knowledge of tools and equipment related to managing a multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility including lighting systems
• Knowledge of baseline irrigation system or comparable central control system
• Working, effective interpersonal and work leadership skills to provide guidance to other personnel.
• Ability to provide plant and pest identification.
• Flexibility to work varying hours
• Excellent time management skills
• Extensive knowledge of landscaping techniques and processes
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Google Docs.
• QAL (Qualified Applicators License — pesticide applicators license) may be required.
• Bloodborne pathogen and sharps disposal training.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Turfgrass Management or related field and / or equivalent experience / training
• 3-5 years of relevant experience maintaining high quality natural and synthetic athletic fields year round. Experience in NCAA athletic field marking and painting. Experience maintaining infield diamond surfaces.
• 1-3 years Supervising grounds crews or landscape teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1-3 years Working directly with NCAA coaches, athletics operations staff, and game operations
• 1-3 years Supervising union represented grounds crews or landscape teams
• Maintain QWEL Qualified Water Efficient Landscape Certifications
• Certified Reclaimed Water Site Supervisor
• Certified Landscape Water Manager
• SFMA Member