Turf Specialist

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Sports Turf Specialist is part of the Facilities Grounds team in the Maintenance and Operations Department at Vanderbilt University. The Sports Turf Specialist work tosupport the Grounds Department in general and the Athletic Field group specifically.

About the Work Unit:

Facilities Department provides facilities support for all construction, renovation, and routine maintenance of University space and facilities; housekeeping services for approximately 5.8 million square feet of academic, administrative, residential, and recreational space; grounds care for 330 acres that are a registered arboretum; turf care for athletic fields; and utilities for the University Central and the Medical Center. The Facilities department is comprised of Campus Planning & Construction, Maintenance and Operations, the Business Operations Center and Real Estate.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Complete the directives and instructions of the Sports Turf Supervisor to provide care and maintenance to the natural and artificial athletic competition surfaces.
• Ability to recognize and report common weeds, turf disease, soil fertility and other issues which might occur in athletic turf.
• Ability and knowledge required to competently operate machinery used in athletic field turf care, including but not limited to: reel mowers, rotary mowers, string trimmers, blowers, push mowers, backpack blowers, fertilizer spreaders, spray equipment and hand tools.
• Ability and knowledge to complete minor irrigation repairs such as replacing, reorienting or re-nozzeling rotary sprinkler heads.
• Provide game day support for athletic matches and competitions.

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Sports Turf Specialist is part of the Facilities Grounds team in the Maintenance and Operations Department at Vanderbilt University. The Sports Turf Specialist work tosupport the Grounds Department in general and the Athletic Field group specifically.

About the Work Unit:

Facilities Department provides facilities support for all construction, renovation, and routine maintenance of University space and facilities; housekeeping services for approximately 5.8 million square feet of academic, administrative, residential, and recreational space; grounds care for 330 acres that are a registered arboretum; turf care for athletic fields; and utilities for the University Central and the Medical Center. The Facilities department is comprised of Campus Planning & Construction, Maintenance and Operations, the Business Operations Center and Real Estate.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Complete the directives and instructions of the Sports Turf Supervisor to provide care and maintenance to the natural and artificial athletic competition surfaces.
• Ability to recognize and report common weeds, turf disease, soil fertility and other issues which might occur in athletic turf.
• Ability and knowledge required to competently operate machinery used in athletic field turf care, including but not limited to: reel mowers, rotary mowers, string trimmers, blowers, push mowers, backpack blowers, fertilizer spreaders, spray equipment and hand tools.
• Ability and knowledge to complete minor irrigation repairs such as replacing, reorienting or re-nozzeling rotary sprinkler heads.
• Provide game day support for athletic matches and competitions.
• Assist with landscape upkeep of areas adjacent to or incorporated within stadiums and practice fields.
• Work with a crew of 2-5 individuals on a regular basis.
• Perform tasks necessary to respond to winter weather conditions including outside of normal working hours.
• Operate a walk behind paint machine and/or robotic paint machine.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility, this position reports administratively and functionally to the Turf Maintenance Supervisor.

Education and Certifications:

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Turf care or a related field.
• Equivalent experience may be substituted for a degree.
• Valid Tennessee Drivers License or equivalent from another state.
• Possess or be able to attain a Tennessee Pesticide Applicators License within 6 months of starting employment.

Experience and Skills:

• One to three years of Athletic turfgrass experience preferred.
• Knowledge of NCAA and SEC rules and regulations preferred.
• Basic communication and computer skills preferred.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, reach or stand for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to lift as at least 70 lbs