Sports Turf and Grounds Manager

Sports Tourism, Facilities, and Programs Division Leader

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Are you an experienced leader who is ready to make a difference in the community? Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources is seeking an experienced leader to join in the operation of the Sports Tourism, Facilities, and Programs (STFP) Division. In this leadership role, you will supervises staff, operations and maintenance; responsible for the planning and oversight of projects, corrective maintenance and scheduled maintenance activities; ensures environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance; establishes procedures and guidelines and contributes to policy-making; strategic planning; oversees budgets; serves as a resource for and coordinates with other staff, the Division Manager, other governmental agencies and other units across the enterprise; performs related work as required. Benefits begin within 60 days of hire. Apply today to join this growing Department and team!

In this role, you will...

• Manage and supervise staff and contractors in the performance of turf field maintenance activities, including cultural practices, irrigation, integrated pest management, and completion of renovation projects.
• Assist in the development of department standards and expectations for proper routine field maintenance practices, equipment care, and safety protocols.
• Manage and review irrigation system performance and initiate changes when necessary.
• Oversee the development of and implementation of the IPM plan, including fertilization and appropriate applications of herbicides and insecticides per all Federal, State, and County regulations.
• Oversee all field-related projects including but not limited to sod replacements, new field installations, aerification, top dressing, etc.
• Using professional turf grass standards, analyzes and assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of work performed, both by in-house staff and contractors.
• Assist in the training of field staff in proper care and maintenance of athletic fields, including game preparation and logo painting.
• Ensure protocols are established for the proper care, maintenance, storage, and cleaning of all equipment.
• Maintain high standards for customer service, which includes complaint resolution and conflict resolution.
• Periodically serve as the division's on-duty representative during times of high-volume field use, such as evenings, weekends, and special events/tournaments.
• Coordinate with PRNR Procurement liaison, Procurement, and the Office of Financial Management on the hiring of contractors and vendors, ensuring the Procurement Code is followed.
• Performs public relations functions between the County, community, and various civic agencies and groups.

Work Hours:

• Full-time, 40 hours per week.
• Work schedules may vary due to split shifts, rotations, on-call, emergencies, etc.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• A bachelor's degree in Turf Management, Parks and Recreation, Sports Administration, Public Administration, or a job-related field, and four years of experience in sports field management, or a job-related field
• -OR- eight (8) years of job-related professional experience in sports field management.
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree or certification in turfgrass management, agronomy, plant science, horticulture, or equivalent discipline.
• Experience in athletic field construction or renovation, including drainage installation and grading.
• Prior management experience in a high-volume youth sports facility, professional sports facility, or university athletics facility.

Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for five years.

Starting Pay Range: Starting at $75,233.60, based on experience.

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents . You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options:

• If your position requires a Florida Driver's License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver's License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)

Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!

For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.

Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations.

Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally.

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.