ATHLETIC GROUND SUPERINTENDENT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, TAMPA, FL

Compass Group•Tampa, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Athletic Grounds Superintendent is responsible for assisting with the daily management, maintenance, and operational readiness of University of South Florida Athletics outdoor athletic fields, competition venues, and associated grounds. This position supports a Division I intercollegiate athletics program and is responsible for maintaining safe, championship-caliber playing surfaces and surrounding grounds for student-athletes, coaches, and staff. The Grounds Superintendent will assist with the implementation of comprehensive athletic field maintenance programs, including turfgrass management, irrigation, fertility, pest management, field preparation, event setup, field recovery, and seasonal renovation. The position works under Director of Grounds for Athletics & Recreation, and with Athletics Facilities leadership, coaches, sport administrators, event operations, maintenance, and external vendors to ensure facilities are consistently maintained at the highest operational and competitive standards.

Requirements

Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience managing high-profile athletic fields, preferably within a collegiate, professional, or major sports environment.
Demonstrated experience managing multiple athletic fields with varying turfgrass types, usage requirements, and competition schedules.
Experience supervising and training grounds or turfgrass personnel.
Demonstrated knowledge of athletic field construction, turfgrass science, irrigation, fertility, pest management, soil science, and field renovation practices.
Current pesticide applicator certification or the ability to obtain applicable Florida pesticide licenses within six months of employment.
Valid driver's license and ability to operate grounds maintenance equipment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to develop and manage work schedules, budgets, procurement activities, and maintenance programs.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, or comparable software.
Ability to work extended hours, weekends, holidays, and non-traditional schedules based on Athletics competition and event requirements.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Turfgrass Science, Horticulture, or related discipline.
Experience working within a Division I collegiate athletics program, professional sports organization, or major athletic venue.
Florida pesticide applicator certification in applicable turf and ornamental categories.

Responsibilities

Manage the daily operation and maintenance of USF Athletics athletic fields, practice fields, competition venues, and associated landscaped grounds.
Establish and maintain daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal field maintenance schedules.
Oversee mowing, edging, aeration, verticutting, topdressing, overseeding, fertilization, irrigation, weed control, pest management, and other turfgrass cultural practices.
Maintain competition and practice fields at a Division I championship standard with an emphasis on safety, playability, appearance, and consistency.
Coordinate field preparation for practices, competitions, camps, clinics, tournaments, and special events.
Manage field setup and takedown, including goals, nets, field markings, signage, equipment, and other sport-specific requirements.
Coordinate post-event field inspections and repairs to return fields to optimal playing condition.
Monitor field conditions and make recommendations regarding field closures, practice modifications, or competition impacts due to weather or field conditions.
Develop long-term plans for turfgrass replacement, field renovation, drainage improvements, irrigation upgrades, soil amendments, and other field enhancement projects.
Maintain surrounding athletic grounds, landscaped areas, walkways, berms, fencing areas, and other outdoor Athletics spaces to established departmental standards.
Supervise, train, schedule, and evaluate grounds staff and seasonal employees assigned to Athletics.
Establish daily work assignments and priorities based on field conditions, event schedules, weather, and operational needs.
Develop and implement staff training programs addressing turfgrass management, equipment operation, safety, chemical applications, field preparation, and emergency response.