Head Groundskeeper

Fort Lauderdale United FC; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Fort Lauderdale United FC is seeking a Head Groundskeeper to care for all natural grass and/or synthetic turf fields, ensuring safe, high-quality surfaces for training, matches, and events. This role leads a grounds crew, manages equipment and supply budgets, and coordinates closely with operations, event, and coaching staff.

This position requires a hands-on leader with deep turf knowledge, strong communication, and a commitment to safety and field availability across the club's facilities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3+ years of turf management or groundskeeping experience.
• Knowledge of turfgrass species, irrigation, and pest/disease management.
• Experience operating grounds equipment (mowers, aerators, sprayers).
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather and perform physical labor.
• Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Mow, aerate, verticut, topdress, and overseed fields on a scheduled program.
• Manage irrigation systems, including scheduling, repairs, and water conservation.
• Apply fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides per an integrated pest/turf management plan.
• Monitor and manage soil health, drainage, and compaction.
• Paint field lines, logos, and markings to league/competition specifications.
• Prepare and maintain synthetic turf infields, infill levels, and seams if applicable.
• Prepare fields for matches, practices, and special events; set up/breakdown of goals, nets, and boundary equipment.
• Conduct pre- and post-event field inspections for player safety.
• Respond to weather-related field conditions (rain delays, tarping, drainage).
• Coordinate with event staff on field access, timing, and logistics.
• Supervise, schedule, and train grounds crew/assistant groundskeepers.
• Manage equipment inventory, maintenance, and repair (mowers, aerators, sprayers, utility vehicles).
• Develop and manage the grounds maintenance budget.
• Maintain records of chemical applications, maintenance logs, and safety compliance.
• Order supplies, turf products, and equipment as needed.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental, and league/facility safety regulations.
• Work with coaching staff, facilities, and operations teams on field conditions and scheduling.
• Liaise with vendors and contractors (irrigation, turf consultants, equipment dealers).
• Support capital improvement projects (renovations, resodding, drainage upgrades).

Skills

Turf management

Groundskeeping

Irrigation management

Pest/disease management

Equipment operation

Safety compliance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Turfgrass Management certificate

Tools

Mowers

Aerators

Sprayers

Irrigation controllers

Job description

Fort Lauderdale United FC is a growing multi-sport organization, and as the Head Groundskeeper you are responsible for the overall care, maintenance, and playability of all natural grass and/or synthetic turf sports fields, ensuring safe, high-quality playing surfaces for training, matches, and events. This role leads a grounds crew, manages equipment and supply budgets, and coordinates closely with operations, event, and coaching staff.

Responsibilities:

Field Maintenance & Turf Management

• Mow, aerate, verticut, topdress, and overseed fields on a scheduled program
• Manage irrigation systems, including scheduling, repairs, and water conservation
• Apply fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides per an integrated pest/turf management plan
• Monitor and manage soil health, drainage, and compaction
• Paint field lines, logos, and markings to league/competition specifications
• Prepare and maintain synthetic turf infields, infill levels, and seams if applicable

Game-Day & Event Operations

• Prepare fields for matches, practices, and special events, including setup/breakdown of goals, nets, and boundary equipment
• Conduct pre- and post-event field inspections for player safety
• Respond to weather-related field conditions (rain delays, tarping, drainage)
• Coordinate with event staff on field access, timing, and logistics
• Supervise, schedule, and train grounds crew/assistant groundskeepers
• Manage equipment inventory, maintenance, and repair (mowers, aerators, sprayers, utility vehicles)
• Develop and manage the grounds maintenance budget
• Maintain records of chemical applications, maintenance logs, and safety compliance
• Order supplies, turf products, and equipment as needed
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental, and league/facility safety regulations
• Work with coaching staff, facilities, and operations teams on field conditions and scheduling
• Liaise with vendors and contractors (irrigation, turf consultants, equipment dealers)
• Support capital improvement projects (renovations, resodding, drainage upgrades)

Qualifications:

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 3+ years of experience in turf management, groundskeeping, or a related field
• Working knowledge of turfgrass species, irrigation systems, and pest/disease management
• Experience operating and maintaining grounds equipment (mowers, aerators, sprayers)
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and perform physical labor (lifting, bending, standing for extended periods)
• Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays around competition schedules

Preferred

• Degree/certificate in Turfgrass Management, Agronomy, Horticulture, or related field
• Experience maintaining fields for a specific sport (soccer, football, baseball, etc.) at a competitive or professional level
• Experience with irrigation control software and field-testing equipment (moisture meters, compaction testers)

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly
• Prolonged standing, walking, kneeling, and bending
• Ability to operate heavy equipment and power tools safely
• Exposure to sun, heat, cold, and chemicals used in turf care