Posting Details
Position Information
Posting Number
SF02239
Job Title
Manager, Turfgrass and Athletic Grounds
Position Number
108520
FTE
1.00
FLSA
Exempt
Position Type
Professional Staff
Union
PSA/NEA - Professional Staff Assoc
Pay Grade Level
Grade Level: 12
Pay Grade Range
Salary Hiring Range: $90,000 - $100,000
Status
Calendar Year, Full-time, Permanent
Department Information
Department
Facilities Operations
Contact(s)
Please note: Job applications must be submitted directly online only at: (https://jobs.uri.edu)
Contact Phone/Extension
Contact Email
Physical Demands
Campus Location
Kingston
Grant Funded
No
Extension Contingency Notes
POSITION SUMMARY:
Manage the daily operations of Athletics Lands and Ground workers. Oversee the University's turf areas and other sports field surfaces, including campus landscapes and athletic/recreation fields. Design and execute maintenance plans to provide aesthetic and functional turf using best management practices. Communicate and coordinate varsity sports fields and recreation fields use with the Department of Athletics, Department of Recreation, and Special Events Staff. Develop maintenance operating standards and specifications for commercial equipment, landscape maintenance, turf maintenance, construction, and winter operations. Manage and verify hourly time entry and related records for department personnel.
Duties and Responsibilities
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Develop and implement best management practices to achieve the highest possible standard for the University's recreational and intercollegiate sports fields, including natural grass and synthetic turf surfaces in addition to other exterior sport facility surfaces.
Collaborate with and make recommendations to University Facilities Operations and Athletics Departments to develop a systematic approach to turfgrass management with a goal of developing exceptional quality playing surfaces for the University's student athletes, visitors, and external users.
Supervise operations and assigned workers in the division of Athletics Grounds. Act as secondary supervisor for the Campus Grounds division operations and assigned workers.
Manage, inspect, and document construction, renovation, and deferred maintenance projects. Manage construction and maintenance contracts for Facilities Operations and provide oversight for landscape projects for other University departments, including Campus Planning and Design and the office of Capital Program Design and Delivery.
Manage the summer use of athletic and recreational sports fields and coordinate with external customers to optimize revenue opportunities and showcase campus facilities.
Write specifications to procure equipment and materials. Develop written project specifications. Coordinate with the Procurement department for ordering of equipment, materials, and other required services.
Directly supervise one small engine mechanic and oversee maintenance of all Turf and Landscape Equipment within Athletics Lands and Grounds. Assist with Campus Grounds Turf and Landscape Equipment maintenance when needed. Develop preventive maintenance schedules for vehicles and equipment. Coordinate with the Automotive department for repairs and maintenance to department fleet vehicles.
Exercise knowledge of function and ability to operate and perform adjustments and maintenance on: reel mower cutting units, commercial sprayers, tractors, aerifiers, topdressers, fertilizer and seed application equipment, field painting equipment including robotic autonomous marking equipment, and paint removal equipment.
Operate, maintain, and repair irrigation systems for sports fields and landscape areas.
Provide oversight and recordkeeping for the application of turf chemicals and pesticides.
Provide oversight for accurate field layout and installation, painting sports fields lines, logos, and other markings.
Provide management oversight for grounds crews working Athletic department sports events.
Manage snow removal operations to include state employees, students, and contractors.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Coordinate and collaborate with university turfgrass experts on research and outreach activities.
Coordinate with Athletics' Operations and Coaching staffs to provide timely setup needs for field facilities and events.
Develop and implement projects on the University's sports turf areas, to include field resurfacing, drainage improvements, irrigation improvements and other construction as needed. Establish and cultivate collaborative relationships with university faculty/staff, strategic partners, turf industry representatives, and professional turf organizations in Rhode Island and the Northeast Region.
Evaluate and provide recommendations on products, tools, and equipment used to cultivate, maintain, and use University turf areas.
Train employees on equipment operation, pesticide application, and other department procedures and safety protocols. Manage and disseminate Personal Protective Equipment to Lands & Grounds employees.
Work in partnership with the Manager, Lands and Grounds to oversee daily Lands & Grounds operations.
Coordinate and work closely with the URI Coordinator, Recycling and Solid Waste Management for campus litter cleanup tasks and trash/recycling removal.
Perform other duties as assigned.
LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:
Personal computers, printers; word processing, database management, and spreadsheet software; cell phone; pesticide certification (commercial applicator); RI hoisting license within 6 months of hire; valid driver's license; willingness to travel throughout the State and region.
Required Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED:
1. Bachelor's degree in Plant Sciences, Turfgrass Management, Turf Pathology, or related field.
2. Minimum of five years of hands-on combined experience in turfgrass management, commercial agriculture, and/or closely related field.
3. Demonstrated supervisory experience (including overseeing athletic and recreational NCAA level of playing fields).
4. Demonstrated knowledge of turfgrass equipment maintenance and repair.
5. Demonstrated strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
6. Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.
7. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.
8. Valid driver's license.
9. RI hoisting license within six months of appointment.
10. Pesticide certification (commercial applicator).
11. Willingness to travel throughout the State and region.
Preferred Qualifications
PREFERRED:1. Master's degree in turfgrass, plant, environmental science, or business administration.
2. Minimum of five years hands-on experience working in university facilities management or professional sports field management (including managing union workers).
3. Commercial Pesticide License Category 3B.
4. CDL class B driver license.
Environmental Conditions
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This position is frequently exposed to ambient environmental conditions, to include extreme weather conditions. Must be willing to work outside and with pesticides.
Posting Date
10/19/2026
Closing Date
11/01/2026
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please attach the following 4 (PDF) documents to your online Employment
Application:
(#1) Cover letter.
(#2) Resume.
(#3) A valid drivers license.
(#4) Other Document - Pesticide certification (commercial applicator).
Note: References will be upon request by the search committee.
Quicklink for Posting
https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/17212
