Manager, Turfgrass and Athletic Grounds

University of Rhode Island; Kingston (RI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Rhode Island is seeking a Manager of Turfgrass and Athletic Grounds to oversee daily operations of Athletics Lands and Grounds. You will manage turf areas, fields, and landscapes, design maintenance plans, and coordinate with Athletics and Recreation for field use.

The role requires strong supervisory and communication skills, a background in turfgrass management, and the ability to oversee contracts and preventive maintenance. Kingston campus-based position with competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences, Turfgrass Management, Turf Pathology, or related field.
• Minimum of five years of hands-on turfgrass management experience.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience overseeing athletic/recreational fields.
• Knowledge of turfgrass equipment maintenance and repair.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Written communication skills and ability to work with diverse groups.
• Willingness to travel throughout the State and region.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement best management practices for recreational and intercollegiate fields.
• Coordinate with Athletics and Recreation to optimize field use.
• Supervise Lands & Grounds operations and maintenance staff.
• Manage contracts for facilities operations and landscape projects.
• Oversee field resurfacing, drainage, and irrigation improvements.
• Develop preventive maintenance schedules for equipment and vehicles.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Team leadership

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences, Turfgrass Management, Turf Pathology, or related field

Master’s degree in turfgrass, plant, environmental science, or business administration

Tools

Pesticide certification (commercial applicator)

Job description

Position Information

Posting Number SF02239 Job Title Manager, Turfgrass and Athletic Grounds Position Number 108520 FTE 1.00 FLSA Exempt Position Type Professional Staff Union PSA/NEA - Professional Staff Assoc Pay Grade Level Grade Level: 12 Pay Grade Range Salary Hiring Range: $90,000 - $100,000 Status Calendar Year, Full-time, Permanent

Department Information

Department Facilities Operations Contact(s)

Contact Phone/Extension

Contact Phone/Extension Contact Email Physical Demands Campus Location Kingston Grant Funded No Extension Contingency Notes Job Description Summary

About URI

The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State’s flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston, and the Bay Campus is located in Narragansett. Both campuses are near major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. URI is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston, and New York City.

Position Summary

Manage the daily operations of Athletics Lands and Ground workers. Oversee the University’s turf areas and other sports field surfaces, including campus landscapes and athletic/recreation fields. Design and execute maintenance plans to provide aesthetic and functional turf using best management practices. Communicate and coordinate varsity sports fields and recreation fields use with the Department of Athletics, Department of Recreation, and Special Events Staff. Develop maintenance operating standards and specifications for commercial equipment, landscape maintenance, turf maintenance, construction, and winter operations. Manage and verify hourly time entry and related records for department personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Duties And Responsibilities

Develop and implement best management practices to achieve the highest possible standard for the University’s recreational and intercollegiate sports fields, including natural grass and synthetic turf surfaces in addition to other exterior sport facility surfaces. Collaborate with and make recommendations to University Facilities Operations and Athletics Departments to develop a systematic approach to turfgrass management with a goal of developing exceptional quality playing surfaces for the University’s student athletes, visitors, and external users. Supervise operations and assigned workers in the division of Athletics Grounds. Act as secondary supervisor for the Campus Grounds division operations and assigned workers. Manage, inspect, and document construction, renovation, and deferred maintenance projects. Manage construction and maintenance contracts for Facilities Operations and provide oversight for landscape projects for other University departments, including Campus Planning and Design and the office of Capital Program Design and Delivery. Manage the summer use of athletic and recreational sports fields and coordinate with external customers to optimize revenue opportunities and showcase campus facilities. Write specifications to procure equipment and materials. Develop written project specifications. Coordinate with the Procurement department for ordering of equipment, materials, and other required services. Directly supervise one small engine mechanic and oversee maintenance of all Turf and Landscape Equipment within Athletics Lands and Grounds. Assist with Campus Grounds Turf and Landscape Equipment maintenance when needed. Develop preventive maintenance schedules for vehicles and equipment. Coordinate with the Automotive department for repairs and maintenance to department fleet vehicles.

Other Duties And Responsibilities

Exercise knowledge of function and ability to operate and perform adjustments and maintenance on: reel mower cutting units, commercial sprayers, tractors, aerifiers, topdressers, fertilizer and seed application equipment, field painting equipment including robotic autonomous marking equipment, and paint removal equipment. Operate, maintain, and repair irrigation systems for sports fields and landscape areas. Provide oversight and recordkeeping for the application of turf chemicals and pesticides. Provide oversight for accurate field layout and installation, painting sports fields lines, logos, and other markings. Provide management oversight for grounds crews working Athletic department sports events. Manage snow removal operations to include state employees, students, and contractors. Coordinate and collaborate with university turfgrass experts on research and outreach activities. Coordinate with Athletics’ Operations and Coaching staffs to provide timely setup needs for field facilities and events. Develop and implement projects on the University’s sports turf areas, to include field resurfacing, drainage improvements, irrigation improvements and other construction as needed. Establish and cultivate collaborative relationships with university faculty/staff, strategic partners, turf industry representatives, and professional turf organizations in Rhode Island and the Northeast Region. Evaluate and provide recommendations on products, tools, and equipment used to cultivate, maintain, and use University turf areas. Train employees on equipment operation, pesticide application, and other department procedures and safety protocols. Manage and disseminate Personal Protective Equipment to Lands & Grounds employees. Work in partnership with the Manager, Lands and Grounds to oversee daily Lands & Grounds operations. Coordinate and work closely with the URI Coordinator, Recycling and Solid Waste Management for campus litter cleanup tasks and trash/recycling removal. Perform other duties as assigned.

Licenses, Tools, And Equipment

Personal computers, printers; word processing, database management, and spreadsheet software; cell phone; pesticide certification (commercial applicator); RI hoisting license within 6 months of hire; valid driver’s license; willingness to travel throughout the State and region.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences, Turfgrass Management, Turf Pathology, or related field.
• Minimum of five years of hands-on combined experience in turfgrass management, commercial agriculture, and/or closely related field.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience (including overseeing athletic and recreational NCAA level of playing fields).
• Demonstrated knowledge of turfgrass equipment maintenance and repair.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.
• Valid driver’s license.
• RI hoisting license within six months of appointment.
• Pesticide certification (commercial applicator).
• Willingness to travel throughout the State and region.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in turfgrass, plant, environmental science, or business administration.
• Minimum of five years hands-on experience working in university facilities management or professional sports field management (including managing union workers).
• Commercial Pesticide License Category 3B.
• CDL class B driver license.

Environmental Conditions

This position is frequently exposed to ambient environmental conditions, to include extreme weather conditions. Must be willing to work outside and with pesticides.

Posting Date

10/19/2026 Closing Date 11/01/2026