Associate Director, Sports Turf & Grounds

Genesis Distribution; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

UCF Athletics is seeking an Associate Director of Sports Turf & Grounds to manage all athletic playing surfaces and intramural fields, including the newly renovated football stadium and practice field. This role supports the Director of Sports Turf & Grounds and collaborates with coaches and event staff.

The ideal candidate will lead a turf team, maintain safety standards in line with NCAA guidelines, and handle budgeting, procurement, and equipment maintenance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in sports turf, horticulture, or golf maintenance.
• Experience leading athletic field operations and teams.
• Knowledge of Bermudagrass maintenance in high-use environments.
• Ability to obtain Florida pesticide licensure and maintain records.

Responsibilities

• Oversees Baseball field operations, including maintenance schedules, game prep, and improvements.
• Coordinates with Baseball coaching staff and event management teams.
• Supervises four hourly full-time staff and assists in annual work plans and daily task assignments.
• Ensures safety protocols, NCAA and institutional compliance, and proper equipment maintenance.
• Responsible for budgeting, purchasing, inventory, and chemical storage safety.

Skills

Staff supervision

Leadership

Budgeting awareness

Regulatory compliance

Facilities coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in sports turf, horticulture, or related

High school diploma + 6 years related experience

Tools

Turf equipment maintenance

Chemical handling & storage

Job description

Associate Director, Sports Turf & Grounds

UCF Athletics, a proud member of the Big 12 Conference, is seeking an experienced and motivated Associate Director of Sports Turf & Grounds. Under the direction of the Director of Sports Turf and Grounds, this position plays a key role in the comprehensive management, preparation, and maintenance of all athletic grounds, playing surfaces, and intramural fields, ensuring they meet the highest standards of safety, performance, and visual excellence. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to work on a newly renovated football stadium (2025) and newly built (2024) practice football field.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Directly oversees all Baseball field operations, including maintenance schedules, game preparation, and improvements.
• Assists with the overall leadership and supervision of the Sports Turf & Grounds team.
• Directly supervises four hourly full-time staff within the team.
• Assists in developing annual work plans, seasonal strategies, and daily task assignments.
• Coordinates closely with the Baseball coaching staff and event management teams.
• Monitors field conditions and address any issues affecting playability or aesthetics.
• Supports budgeting and procurement efforts – especially as it relates to the playing field at John Euliano Park.
• Assist in overseeing the ordering, inventory tracking, and maintenance of equipment and supplies necessary for field operations.
  • Includes proper disposal of chemicals and upkeep of chemical storage areas.
• Ensures adherence to all safety protocols, regulatory standards, and compliance requirements within the unit – promoting a safe working environment for staff and maintaining fields in accordance with NCAA and industry guidelines.
• Serves as acting Director in their absence (as needed).
• Responsible for the upkeep and calibration of field maintenance equipment, ensuring tools are safe, operational, and ready for use during routine maintenance or game preparation.

Due to the nature of the position, selected candidate will need to have, or be able to obtain, related State of Florida pesticide licensure and maintain accurate records in accordance with federal and state regulations.

• Bachelor’s degree in appropriate area of specialization and 3 years appropriate experience; or a high school diploma and six (6) years appropriate experience.
• College or accreditation coursework in sports turf, horticulture, or golf maintenance may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Preferred qualifications:

• Previous experience in athletic field or golf course preparation, skinned/clay area management experience, and maintenance for athletics events.
• Demonstration of advancement in responsibilities and strong communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience managing Bermudagrass athletic playing surfaces in high-use or high-performance environments.
• Experience operating and calibrating boom sprayers, backpack sprayers, and fertilizer spreaders for turf applications; including fertilizers, pesticides, and plant growth regulators.

Due to the nature/scope of Athletics and Athletics events, position may require work during evenings, weekends, and holidays, as well as the ability to stand / walk for extended periods of time and occasional travel.

As a staff member of UCF Athletics, the selected candidate will be a person of integrity and character who shares a commitment for customer service and knowing / complying with NCAA, Conference, and institutional rules as they apply to the UCF Athletics program.