Sports Turf Manager – FAU

Genesis Distribution; Boca Raton (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida Atlantic University is seeking a Sports Turf Manager to lead all athletic field operations and maintain pristine natural grass fields. You will oversee a turf crew, coordinate irrigation, fertility, and IPM programs, and manage game-day preparations to ensure top playing surfaces.

The role requires 3+ years of turf management at collegiate or professional level, a valid driver’s license, and a pesticide applicator license.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of sports turf management experience.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Pesticide Applicator License (or ability to obtain; SFS will support licensing process).
• Experience managing and leading a grounds crew.

Responsibilities

• Own, develop, and execute a comprehensive agronomic maintenance program for athletic natural grass fields.
• Manage and mentor a turf crew, including an Assistant Turf Manager and Groundskeepers.
• Monitor turf health, diagnose and respond to turf stress, disease, pest pressure, and wear issues.
• Design, oversee, and troubleshoot irrigation systems across all fields; ensure systems operate efficiently year-round.
• Plan and manage fertility programs, IPM plans, and cultural practices including aeration, topdressing, overseeding, and verticutting.
• Operate and maintain a full suite of equipment including mowers, tractors, aerators, topdressers, sprayers, sod cutters.
• Manage materials procurement; coordinate with vendors for timely delivery.
• Develop and manage the annual turf operations budget in coordination with SFS management and the client.
• Coordinate with FAU athletic and facilities staff on field scheduling, event preparation, game day operations, and post-event recovery.
• Lead game day and special event preparations, including line striping, clay work, tarp handling, and inclement weather response.
• Maintain detailed records of all agronomic applications, equipment maintenance, and field conditions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, including pesticide application laws.

Job description

Sports Turf Manager

To lead all sports turf operations and maintain immaculate athletic fields at Florida Atlantic University.

WHO YOU ARE

You love sports and you love the beautiful fields our favorite teams play on. You spent your childhood summers on baseball fields, your fall Friday nights under stadium lights, and your winters on hard courts. You love the feeling of putting in a hard day’s work. You’ve got a vision for personal success and a work ethic to get the job done. You come to work each day ready to make a positive impact and be a part of a winning team.

You are meticulous. Others see perfection when they look at your fields, but all you see is the almost-imperceptible divot in center field from the previous night’s diving catch. You think in agronomic terms. You know the difference between a heat-stressed field and a drought-stressed one at a glance. You’ve earned trust through results, and you lead by example.

You are ready to lead. You’ve been on the crew, you’ve been the assistant, and now you’re ready to own the program. You want accountability, and you want to build something.

WHO WE ARE

We love sports fields. We know that the difference between feeling like a professional athlete and a high school walk‑on is often the quality of the playing surface. We love nothing more than the glimmer of stadium lights on a freshly-cut, pristine natural grass playing surface. Finally, we believe that great people transform businesses. We provide a vision and then ask our people to creatively use their talents to achieve it.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own, develop, and execute a comprehensive agronomic maintenance program for all athletic natural grass fields at Florida Atlantic University.
• Manage and mentor a turf crew, including an Assistant Turf Manager and Groundskeepers, overseeing scheduling, training, and daily operations.
• Monitor turf health, diagnose and respond to turf stress, disease, pest pressure, and wear issues, implementing corrective programs proactively.
• Design, oversee, and troubleshoot irrigation systems across all fields; ensure systems operate efficiently year-round.
• Plan and manage fertility programs, IPM (Integrated Pest Management) plans, and cultural practices including aeration, topdressing, overseeding, and verticutting.
• Operate and maintain a full suite of equipment including mowers, tractors, aerators, topdressers, sprayers, sod cutters, and related machinery.
• Manage materials procurement: fertilizers, pesticides, seed, sand, and related consumables; coordinate with vendors for timely delivery.
• Develop and manage the annual turf operations budget in coordination with SFS management and the client.
• Coordinate with Florida Atlantic University athletic and facilities staff on field scheduling, event preparation, game day operations, and post-event recovery.
• Lead game day and special event preparations, including line striping, clay work, tarp handling, and inclement weather response.
• Maintain detailed records of all agronomic applications, equipment maintenance, and field conditions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including pesticide application laws.

REQUIREMENTS

Formal requirements include:

• 3+ years of sports turf management experience, preferably at the collegiate or professional level
• Valid driver’s license
• Pesticide Applicator License (or ability to obtain; SFS will support licensing process)
• Experience managing and leading a grounds crew

Informal requirements include a passion for continuous learning and producing high-quality work, the ability to communicate clearly and professionally with university staff and athletic personnel, and an inclination to value team success over personal recognition.