Assistant Director, Sports Turf & Grounds

Department:

UCF Athletics - Facilities and Event Operations

Under the direction of the Director of Sports Turf & Grounds, the Assistant Director will assist in leading the planning, preparation, and maintenance of UCF Athletics' natural and synthetic turf facilities. The Assistant Director will directly maintain the UCF Softball Complex and provide support across all athletic venues, including facilities for football, baseball, soccer, and intramural sports.  This role also includes supervising student workers and part-time grounds staff, assisting with the management of daily operations, and ensuring high standards of field safety, aesthetics, and playability.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee all day-to-day field maintenance and preparation of the UCF Softball Complex playing surface and surrounding grounds.
• Supervise, schedule, and train student employees and part-time staff assigned to the Sports Turf & Grounds team.

• Perform routine and event-based field preparations including:

  • Baseball/softball infield skin maintenance and repairs.
  • Layout and painting of field markings and logos.

Department:

UCF Athletics - Facilities and Event Operations

Under the direction of the Director of Sports Turf & Grounds, the Assistant Director will assist in leading the planning, preparation, and maintenance of UCF Athletics' natural and synthetic turf facilities. The Assistant Director will directly maintain the UCF Softball Complex and provide support across all athletic venues, including facilities for football, baseball, soccer, and intramural sports.  This role also includes supervising student workers and part-time grounds staff, assisting with the management of daily operations, and ensuring high standards of field safety, aesthetics, and playability.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee all day-to-day field maintenance and preparation of the UCF Softball Complex playing surface and surrounding grounds.
• Supervise, schedule, and train student employees and part-time staff assigned to the Sports Turf & Grounds team.

• Perform routine and event-based field preparations including:

  • Baseball/softball infield skin maintenance and repairs.
  • Layout and painting of field markings and logos.
  • Mowing, aerating, topdressing, and other turf cultural practices.

• Assist with the application of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides; maintain application records in compliance with state and federal regulations.

• Serve as the on-site lead for select home athletic events, ensuring proper field setup, cleanliness, and functionality.

• Collaborate with coaches, athletics operations staff, and vendors to meet the evolving needs of each sport program.

• Contribute to long-range planning for field renovations, equipment upgrades, and facility improvements.

• Support sustainability efforts and best practices in turfgrass management and water conservation.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in turfgrass management, horticulture, agronomy, or a related field, and a minimum of two (2) years of experience in athletic field maintenance; OR a high school diploma and five (5) years of directly related experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Florida pesticide applicator license within 6 months of employment.
   

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in collegiate or professional sports turf management.
• Hands-on knowledge of infield skin/clay management, synthetic turf maintenance, and athletic field renovation.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including staff scheduling, supervision, and training.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Familiarity with NCAA or professional game-day field standards.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, operate heavy equipment, and work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
   

Due to the nature/scope of Athletics and Athletics events, position may require work during evenings, weekends, and holidays, as well as the ability to stand / walk for extended periods of time.
 

As a staff member of UCF Athletics, the selected candidate will be a person of integrity and character who shares a commitment for customer service and knowing / complying with NCAA, Conference, and institutional rules as they apply to the UCF Athletics program. 

Salary:

Negotiable

Please note that UCF Athletics operates as a Direct Support Organization (DSO) of the University of Central Florida, with different payroll and benefits than university employees. If interested in positions with the university, please click Here to visit their website.

As a proud member of the Big 12 Conference, our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the university. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as “Orlando's Hometown Team.”
 

UCF Athletics values our employees and working for us has its perks, including:  

• Benefit packages: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Supplemental Insurances, Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts, and Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness initiatives: UCF Athletics is recognized by Cigna Healthcare with the silver level Healthy Workforce Designation for our commitment to employee well-being and vitality through our benefits offerings, wellness platform and programming
• Paid time off for applicable positions, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays  
• Retirement savings options   
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions   
• Tickets to UCF sporting events
• Education assistance   

To learn more about UCF and the Knights, visit our websites at ucf.edu and ucfknights.com.

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