Turfgrass Research Center Manager Blacksburg, Virginia

Genesis Distribution; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Turfgrass Research Center Manager at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg coordinates maintenance and operations for the TRC’s research plots, equipment, and infrastructure to enable high-quality turfgrass research and outreach.

This role leads turfgrass management practices, supervises personnel, oversees chemical inventories, and ensures compliance with OSHA, FIFRA and VDCR standards while collaborating with faculty, staff, students and industry partners.

Qualifications

• Four-year degree in turfgrass science, horticulture, agricultural sciences, or related field.
• Working knowledge of turfgrass management and ability to operate turf equipment safely (mowers, sprayers, aerators, construction equipment).
• Ability to coordinate daily, weekly, and seasonal tasks with faculty, students, and technical staff.
• Computer skills for record keeping, budgeting, inventory management, and data reporting.

Responsibilities

• Provide managerial oversight for TRC operations and turfgrass research facilities.
• Coordinate maintenance of research plots, equipment, and infrastructure.
• Oversee budgets, procurement, and facility planning.
• Ensure safety and regulatory compliance (OSHA, FIFRA, VDCR).
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and industry partners.

Skills

Turfgrass management

Budgeting

Record keeping

Data reporting

Team supervision

Driver's license

OSHA compliance

FIFRA compliance

Pesticide license

Communication with faculty

Education

Four-year degree in turfgrass science

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

Mowers

Sprayers

Aerators

Construction equipment

Irrigation systems

Job description

Turfgrass Research Center ManagerBlacksburg, Virginia

This position provides direct support and managerial oversight for operations at Virginia Tech’s Turfgrass Research Center (TRC) located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The TRC is a key facility within Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, supporting research and education in turfgrass science.
In this role, the Turfgrass Research Center Manager coordinates maintenance and operations across the TRC’s research plots, equipment, and infrastructure to enable high-quality turfgrass research and outreach programs. The manager works closely with faculty, staff, students, and industry partners to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable facility operations.
The individual in this position is responsible for leading turfgrass management practices, supervising personnel, and overseeing equipment and resource allocation to meet diverse research needs. This includes monitoring turf health, implementing integrated pest management strategies, maintaining compliance with OSHA, FIFRA, and Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation standards, and managing chemical inventories and applications.
Additional responsibilities include financial oversight, strategic planning, and project execution. The manager develops annual operational strategies, manages budgets, secures funding and donations, and plans facility improvements in collaboration with faculty and staff. The role also encompasses procurement and preventive maintenance of specialized turf and construction equipment, as well as oversight of irrigation systems, research field installations, and landscape renovations.
The Turfgrass Research Center Manager reports administratively to the designated faculty lead and plays a key coordinating role with university researchers, technical staff, and allied professional associations. While not a job requirement, the individual is encouraged to participate in professional meetings and events as part of their continued professional development as coordinated with their supervisor.
Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this vacancy.

Required Qualifications

Four-year degree in turfgrass science, horticulture, agricultural sciences, or a related field; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience; Working knowledge of turfgrass management practices and ability to operate and maintain specialized turf equipment safely and effectively, including mowers, sprayers, aerators, and construction equipment; Managerial capability to prioritize daily, weekly, and seasonal tasks and to coordinate these tasks with faculty, students, and technical staff conducting turfgrass research and education programs; Computer skills sufficient for record keeping, budgeting, inventory management, and data reporting as required for facility operations; Must have a valid driver’s license and good driving record; Must have or obtain within one year of hire a Virginia Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License in Category 10 (Demonstration and Research Pest Control); Ability to comply with OSHA, FIFRA, and Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation standards for chemical handling and application; Physical ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and perform tasks requiring lifting, bending, and extended periods of standing.

Preferred Qualifications

College-level training and work experience with turfgrass research techniques and experimental design; Demonstrated experience in turfgrass management or related agricultural operations in a research or production setting; Familiarity with irrigation system installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance; Working knowledge of soil and water conservation and protection practices; Experience supervising employees, volunteers, or student work groups; Ability to develop and implement operational strategies and contribute to long-term facility planning

Pay Band

4

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$55,000 – $60,000

40

Review Date

03/29/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto,Ut Prosim(That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College .The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes .A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance . These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Dr. David McCall at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.