Manager, Turfgrass and Athletic Grounds

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

Job summary

The University of Rhode Island, located in Kingston, RI, seeks a Manager of Turfgrass and Athletic Grounds to lead daily operations of Athletics Lands and Grounds. The role oversees turf areas, athletic fields, and landscape surfaces, designing maintenance plans and coordinating with Athletics and Recreation for optimal field use.

The position requires strong supervisory and communication skills, a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, and extensive turfgrass management experience.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement best management practices to achieve high-quality recreational and intercollegiate fields.
• Collaborate with Facilities Operations and Athletics to develop turfgrass management strategies.
• Supervise operations and oversee Grounds/ athletic fields staff.
• Manage construction, renovation, and maintenance contracts for turf areas.
• Coordinate with external customers to maximize field utilization and revenue opportunities.
• Write specifications for equipment and materials, and coordinate with Procurement for orders.
• Oversee preventive maintenance for turf equipment and coordinate with campus services.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Diversity & inclusion

Travel willingness

Education

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

Tools

Pesticide certification (commercial applicator)

RI hoisting license

Valid driver’s license

CDL Class B (preferred)

Job description

80 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI 02881

Position Information

Job Title Manager, Turfgrass and Athletic Grounds

FTE 1.00

FLSA Exempt

Position Type Professional Staff

Union PSA/NEA - Professional Staff Assoc

Pay Grade Range Salary Hiring Range: $90,000 - $100,000

Status Calendar Year, Full-time, Permanent

Location

Campus Location Kingston

Department

Facilities Operations

Grant Funded No

Job Description Summary

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.

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

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.

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.

Required Qualifications

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

2. Minimum of five years of hands‑on combined experience in turfgrass management, commercial agriculture, and/or closely related field.

3. Demonstrated supervisory experience (including overseeing athletic and recreational NCAA level of playing fields).

4. Demonstrated knowledge of turfgrass equipment maintenance and repair.

5. Demonstrated strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.

6. Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.

7. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.

8. Valid driver’s license.

9. RI hoisting license within six months of appointment.

10. Pesticide certification (commercial applicator).

11. Willingness to travel throughout the State and region.

Preferred Qualifications

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

2. Minimum of five years hands‑on experience working in university facilities management or professional sports field management (including managing union workers).

3. Commercial Pesticide License Category 3B.

4. 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.

Note

References will be upon request by the search committee.

Application Deadline

Closing Date 11/01/2026

Posting Date

Posting Date 10/19/2026