Zone Manager, Horticulture

University of Central Florida; Orlando, Northern (FL, KY); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life Insurance

Flexible Spending

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Retirement savings options

Employee discounts

Education assistance

Job summary

University of Central Florida is seeking a Zone Manager, Horticulture to oversee turf and plant health across campus, emphasizing high-visibility areas like Memory Mall and athletic fields. This hands-on role leads the turf program, manages soil health, nutrient applications, weed and pest management, and coordinates staff in daily field operations.

You will supervise crews, plan preventive maintenance, and collaborate with irrigation and landscape teams to align seasonal schedules and turf care

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 4+ years of relevant work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).
• Experience managing turf and landscape operations in high-traffic settings is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain turf areas across campus, focusing on Memory Mall, Reflection Pond, and RWC fields.
• Lead the turf and agronomy program, including soil health, nutrient management, and IPM.
• Develop annual turf and landscape nutrition programs with Operations Manager.
• Supervise and mentor turf staff with daily guidance and hands-on support.
• Coordinate daily work assignments and ensure safe equipment use.

Skills

Turf management

IPM knowledge

Soil health

Fertilization

Pesticide application

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

Spray rigs

Spreaders

Mowers

Aerators

Job description

University Operations:

University Operations at UCF is committed to creating a supportive and welcoming environment for our faculty, staff, students, and the broader community. We take pride in delivering exceptional service, sharing our expertise, and upholding the highest standards to ensure a world-class campus experience.

Visit our website or follow us on Facebook and Instagram to learn more.

The Opportunity:

The Landscaping team within University Operations is seeking to hire a Zone Manager, Horticulture. Drawing on the precision and standards of sports turf management, this role oversees the care, maintenance, and performance of all turf and plant health across campus, with a primary focus on high-profile locations such as Memory Mall, the Reflection Pond, and RWC athletic fields. This role leads the campus turf and agronomy program, managing soil health, nutrient applications, weed control, and pest management strategies to ensure optimal turf and plant quality year-round. Serving as a hands‑on manager, the horticulture manager actively participates in daily field operations, including fertilizer and chemical applications, mowing, and equipment operation. Additionally, the role includes supervising maintenance staff coordinating with other landscape units, and supporting event preparation, reporting, and long‑term planning efforts.

Responsibilities:

• Manage and maintain turf areas across all university campuses, with a focus on high‑visibility and high‑use areas such as Memory Mall, the Reflection Pond, and RWC athletic fields, ensuring high standards of appearance, safety, and functionality.
• Lead the university‑wide turf and agronomy program, including soil health, nutrient management, weed control, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
• Develop and implement annual turf and landscape nutritional programs in collaboration with the Operations Manager.
• Plan and perform preventive maintenance and turf care activities to minimize pests, weeds, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies.
• Serve as a working zone manager by actively participating in daily turf operations, including mowing, aeration, topdressing, fertilizer and chemical applications, and operation of specialized equipment such as spray rigs and spreaders.
• Supervise, train, and mentor turf maintenance staff by providing daily direction, technical guidance, and hands‑on support.
• Coordinate daily work assignments and ensure the proper, safe, and efficient use of equipment, materials, and resources.
• Collaborate with landscape operations teams, including irrigation, landscape maintenance, and tree care, to coordinate turf care strategies and seasonal schedules.
• Maintain accurate records related to turf health, treatments, product inventory, budgets, labor usage, and treatment outcomes.
• Support special event planning by coordinating turf protection, maintenance, and restoration needs during high‑traffic periods and university events.
• Maintain spray and other turf equipment in a safe, clean, and mechanically sound condition and ensure equipment complies with federal, state, and local regulations and University SOPs.
• Inspect equipment and report maintenance, safety, or compliance concerns to the Operations Manager.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Department.

Minimum Qualifications:

High School Diploma or Equivalent and 4+ years of relevant work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing turf and landscape operations, particularly in a large‑scale university, athletics, municipal, commercial or comparable high‑traffic setting.
• 2+ years experience supervising, training, and leading grounds or turf maintenance staff.
• Possession of industry‑recognized credentials such as Florida Green Industries Best Management Practices (GI‑BMP) Certification, Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) Certification, FDACS pesticide applicator licenses, Lawn and Ornamental (L&O) License, and/or Pest Control Operator (PCO) License.
• Knowledge of turfgrass management and agronomic practices, including soil health, fertilization, weed control, pest management, aeration, topdressing, and irrigation.
• Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and practices, including pest monitoring, regulatory compliance, and the safe application of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and other turf management products within sports turf or golf course environments.
• Experience operating and maintaining specialized turf and landscape equipment, including spray rigs, spreaders, mowers, aerators, and other grounds equipment.

Health Assessment Required:

UCF policy requires completion and passing of a physical exam for this position.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

The anticipated salary range for this position is $26.83 to $29.69. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations.

Position requires a valid Class E driver’s license. The position may involve driving to various locations on and off campus to conduct University business.

May be required to participate in respiratory, medical examination and training in use of respirators.

All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H‑1B transfers or employment‑based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.

If you are selected as the final candidate for an employment opportunity, both your position and salary will be significantly based upon the information that you have provided in your application for employment. We urge you to please take the time to complete the application in its entirety.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next‑generation public research university and Forbes‑ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 12 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks!UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program
• Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays
• Retirement savings options
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions
• Education assistance
• And more...For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Department

Landscape & Natural Resources

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 6:00am - 2:30pm

Type of Appointment

Regular

Expected Salary

$56,030.00 to Negotiable

Job Posting End Date

09-11-2026-12-00-AM

Veteran’s Preference:

Preference will be given to eligible veterans and their eligible spouses in accordance with Chapter 295 of the Florida Statutes. Applicants claiming preference are responsible for providing required documentation by the closing date of the position. For more information on Veterans’ Preference, please visit http://hr.ucf.edu/files/VeteransPreference.pdf

The University of Central Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke‑free campus and an E‑Verify employer.

For general application or posting questions, please email [e-mail].

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please email [e-mail].