Sports Turf Manager (Landscape/Nursery Service Supervisor)

Indiana University Bloomington; Bloomington (IN); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental insurance

Tuition subsidy for employees and family members

Generous paid time off plans

Job summary

Indiana University Bloomington is seeking a Groundskeeper to oversee the maintenance of athletic fields including Memorial Stadium and football practice fields. The position requires managing turf maintenance operations and leading a team of workers.

The ideal candidate must have a high school diploma, 3 years relevant experience, and strong knowledge in turf management and plant care. The role offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off.

Qualifications

• 3 years of nursery, greenhouse, and/or landscape work experience.
• Experience in leadership preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee maintenance of athletic fields and playing surfaces.
• Plan work schedules and manage turf maintenance workers.
• Ensure turf health and perform grounds maintenance work.

Skills

Ability to work safely and efficiently

Strong verbal communication and listening skills

Ability to lead, plan, and organize the work of nursery/greenhouse workers

Knowledge of plant identification and pest control

Ability to determine tools and equipment needs

Knowledge and experience in landscape design

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's of Science in Agronomy and Sports Turf

Job description

ATHLETICS (BA-ATHL-IUBLA)

Oversee the maintenance of Indiana University Athletic fields including: Memorial Stadium Turf, Mellencamp Turf, Football Practice Field Turf, Football Practice Field Grass, Field Hockey Turf, Armstrong Stadium Grass, Bart Kaufman Field Turf, Andy Mohr Field Grass, Men\'s Soccer Practice Field Grass and Women\'s Soccer Practice Field Grass, Hayes Track and Field Complex Grass, and the Sam Bell Cross Country Course Grass. Complete appropriate testing and cleaning on the turf fields. Mow and maintain all grass fields. Provide necessary recommendations regarding the treatment of these fields.

• Completes appropriate testing and cleaning on the turf fields.
• Mows and maintains all grass fields and playing surfaces.
• Provides necessary recommendations regarding the treatment of these fields.
• Provides recommendations on long term field improvements and maintenance projects, and collaborates with the Associate Athletic Director – Facilities to plan and prioritize special projects and improvements.
• Maintains the non-athletic field surfaces in terms of weeding, spraying and maintaining around the athletics campus. Works with Campus Division to adequately cover all the department needs.
• Plans work schedules, organizes daily activities of turf maintenance workers and monitors project completion. Approves time sheets and time off requests of turf maintenance personnel.
• Provides appropriate counseling and discipline if necessary.
• Provides training to employees on turf maintenance and safety protocols, and equipment maintenance.
• Responsible for ensuring our natural turf surfaces are free of any disease or pest.
• Performs grounds maintenance work including weeding, seeding, mowing, snow removal and other seasonal tasks.
• Operates standard grounds‑keeping equipment, including trucks, tractors, skid‑steers, roto‑tillers, edgers, pruners, sheers, mowers.
• Monitors and maintains equipment and supplies inventory; oversees sourcing and ordering of surface materials and accompanying fertilizers/chemicals.
• Provides emergency response for grounds‑related campus emergencies, including weather emergencies. Performs preventative maintenance on turf care equipment such as shovels, rakes, trucks, tractors, roto‑tillers.

Education

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

• High school diploma or equivalent (such as HSED or GED).

Preferred Education

• Bachelor\'s of Science in Agronomy and Sports Turf.

Work Experience

• 3 years of nursery, greenhouse, and/or landscape work.

Preferred Work Experience

• Experience in leadership.

Licenses & Certificates

• Valid driver\'s license and ability to be insured by Indiana University upon date of hire.

Skills

• Ability to work safely and efficiently.
• Strong verbal communication and listening skills.
• Ability to lead, plan, and organize the work of nursery/greenhouse workers.
• Ability to stay current with Best Management Practices (BMPs) regarding integrated pest management practices.
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of plant identification and pest control.
• Demonstrates nursery/greenhouse grower skills and ability to train nursery personnel on all aspects of greenhouse production.
• Knowledge of maintaining and planting ornamental trees, flowers, and shrubs.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings and blueprints and provide estimates.
• Ability to determine the appropriate tools and equipment needed and use them safely.
• Ability to operate technology including electronic work orders, emails, and GIS based tree inventory.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions, including heat and freezing temperatures.
• Ability to build and maintain a team environment between Groundskeeping teams.
• Knowledge and experience in landscape design.

This role requires the ability to remain in a stationary position as well as the ability to move about the workplace for long durations. It requires effective communication, the ability to operate machinery, tools, and controls. The role requires the ability to ascend/descend ladders/stairs, and to position oneself in low level positions, detect a variety of chemicals and/or gases. The role requires the ability to ascend to rooftops and move in tight spaces to perform and complete inspections. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long‑term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provides ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring.