Director, Turf Management

Ball Arena•Commerce City, CO

7d•$110,000 - $115,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Turf Management is responsible for managing and maintaining the integrity of all the natural grass and synthetic turf fields at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Duties include the direct oversight of the Colorado Rapids Performance Center training fields (6), the DSGP Stadium natural grass performance surface, as well as all DSGP youth recreational fields (21 grass, 2 synthetic). The Director of Turf Operations will be tasked as the leading subject matter expert in professional turf maintenance for Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, and for providing safe and aesthetically pleasing fields while working within a fiscally responsible framework. This position reports directly to the General Manager of Venue Operations.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Turf Management preferred; may substitute years of work experience in maintaining grounds and landscape with specialized knowledge of irrigation systems, turf management and high-performance sand-based fields, mineral soil fields and synthetic turf fields.
Minimum 5 years of work experience in maintaining grounds and landscape with specialized knowledge of irrigation systems, turf management and high-performance sand-based fields, mineral soil fields, and synthetic turf fields, preferably in the soccer industry.
Experience with field subsurface air and heating systems, preferred.
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of athletic field design and construction; maintenance, fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides; irrigation systems; drainage control methods; the environments surrounding the athletic fields and the ability to implement safeguards as needed.
Ability to professionally and successfully interact with staff, supervisors, and other KSE staff, players and MLS officials.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to work long, irregular hours including nights, weekends and holidays.
Strong problem-solving skill set and the ability to troubleshoot and anticipate problems.

Nice To Haves

Certified Sports Field Manager (CSFM), preferred.
Proficient in Microsoft Office.
Previous experience with multiple turf types in transition zones, including blue grass, rye.
Member and participant of the Sports Turf Managers Association preferred.
Ability to acquire or produce and maintain a valid driver’s license and meet company vehicle driving standards.

Responsibilities

Supervises and participates in the preparation and maintenance of the playing fields and surrounding landscaping (including Colorado Rapids stadium and practice field and all youth field complex fields) to include sand based, native soil, and synthetic turf fields.
Develops, implements, and executes an effective program for maintaining a healthy, durable playing field, to include programs covering watering, fertilization, mowing/cutting, aeration, chemical treatments, grooming of synthetic turf, etc.
Develop and maintain a strong communication plan with Rapids First Team and Rapids 2 leadership to track and summarize the professional team turf quality and needs.
Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains all field staff (both full-time and part-time); determines manpower needs and schedules; accordingly, works with Human Resources and General Counsel to counsel and discipline as appropriate.
Develops specifications for, and coordinates the purchase of, all necessary equipment, supplies, goods and services needed to properly maintain the playing field and surrounding areas.
Develops and administers the annual playing field budget; monitors the budget on an on-going basis and practices cost-effective techniques.
Establishes, along with other management, the turf maintenance and general field development priorities and use schedules with program supervisors; identifies alternatives and other cost-effective ways to get improved results.
Responds to inquiries from the company and makes presentations to groups regarding the comprehensive maintenance program for the athletic fields.
Cooperates and coordinates with other Stadium and KSE departments in the use of the playing field for concerts, ceremonies, sponsorship use, filming, and non-soccer use of the playing field.
Attends herbicide, turf management, irrigation maintenance and/or pest control classes as directed to stay abreast and knowledge in landscape techniques.
Develops layout and constructs special landscape projects from designs and blueprints to include planters, planting beds and landscape timbers, ensure work is installed according to project specifications; repair broken posts or fences as directed.
Assures required safety standards and precautions, as well as company policies, are followed.
Performs related duties as needed or assigned.