Sports Turf Manager Assistant

Inside Higher Ed; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 21,807 - 34,853; Full time

Job summary

A higher education institution in Lexington, KY, seeks a Sports Turf Manager Assistant for maintaining sports turf at various athletic facilities. Responsibilities include supervising part-time staff, operating turf equipment, and communicating with coaches about conditions. Candidates must have a BA and relevant experience, be capable of lifting 50 lbs, and obtain necessary licensing within 6 months. The role requires overtime and adherence to NCAA and university policies.

Qualifications

• 2 years of required related experience in sports turf management.
• Category 3 Licensing & Certification required within 6 months of hire.
• Physical ability to lift, push, pull objects up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Assist in daily sports turf operations at athletic complexes.
• Supervise part-time employees in maintaining sports fields.
• Monitor weather and playing conditions for safety.

Skills

Supervision of part-time employees

Operating sports turf equipment

Landscape maintenance

Fertilizer application

Communication with coaches

Troubleshooting facility issues

Logistics coordination

Education

BA

Tools

Sports turf equipment

Job description

Job Title

Sports Turf Manager Assistant

Requisition Number

RE53702

Department Name

12H00:UKAA - Operations

Work Location

Lexington, KY

Grade Level

41

Salary Range

$15.83-25.30/hour

Type Of Position

Staff

Position Time Status

Full-Time

Required Education

BA

Click here for more information about equivalencies

https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies

Required Related Experience

2 yrs

Required License/Registration/Certification

Category 3 Licensing & Certification (Turf and Ornamental Pest Control) required within 6 months of hire

Physical Requirements

To be able to lift, push, pull objects up to 50 lbs.

Shift

Days and some overtime.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?

Yes

Deadline To Apply

04/03/2026

Job Summary

The Sports Turf Management Assistant will work with the Sports Turf Manager in performing the daily operations of maintaining sports turf related tasks for the Barnhart Athletic Complex, specifically the Wendell and Vickie Bell Soccer Complex, Soccer Practice Complex, and Kentucky Proud Park. Duties include but are not limited to: supervise part-time employees; operating sports turf equipment; mowing, landscape maintenance; performing fertilizer sprays; synthetic turf grooming; preparing fields for practice and competition, layout lines and perform painting duties to ensure fields are compliant with NCAA and SEC rules of play. This position will communicate with coaches about weather and playing conditions ensuring student-athletes and coach safety is the top priority. The Assistant will be working with contractors for facility access, troubleshoot issues that arise and provide feedback to Sports Turf Manager. The Sports Manager Assistant will work in conjunction with the Sports Turf Manager at game day events and coordinate logistics with the respective event manager. The successful candidate must be able to work overtime when required, as well as fulfill obligations of Plan B designated employees. In addition, this position requires significant lifting, pushing, and/or pulling of 50 lbs or more. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be frequently exposed to extreme temperature conditions (both cold and hot outdoor weather, etc.) and will work in the rain. Category 3 Licensing & Certification (Turf and Ornamental Pest Control) required within 6 months of hire. Must comply with NCAA, SEC and University rules and policies.

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus. The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status. Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.