Turfgrass Research Center Manager
About The Position
This position provides direct support and managerial oversight for operations at Virginia Tech’s Turfgrass Research Center (TRC) located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The TRC is a key facility within Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, supporting research and education in turfgrass science. In this role, the Turfgrass Research Center Manager coordinates maintenance and operations across the TRC’s research plots, equipment, and infrastructure to enable high-quality turfgrass research and outreach programs. The manager works closely with faculty, staff, students, and industry partners to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable facility operations. The individual in this position is responsible for leading turfgrass management practices, supervising personnel, and overseeing equipment and resource allocation to meet diverse research needs. This includes monitoring turf health, implementing integrated pest management strategies, maintaining compliance with OSHA, FIFRA, and Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation standards, and managing chemical inventories and applications. Additional responsibilities include financial oversight, strategic planning, and project execution. The manager develops annual operational strategies, manages budgets, secures funding and donations, and plans facility improvements in collaboration with faculty and staff. The role also encompasses procurement and preventive maintenance of specialized turf and construction equipment, as well as oversight of irrigation systems, research field installations, and landscape renovations. The Turfgrass Research Center Manager reports administratively to the designated faculty lead and plays a key coordinating role with university researchers, technical staff, and allied professional associations. While not a job requirement, the individual is encouraged to participate in professional meetings and events as part of their continued professional development as coordinated with their supervisor. Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this vacancy.
Requirements
- Four-year degree in turfgrass science, horticulture, agricultural sciences, or a related field; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Working knowledge of turfgrass management practices and ability to operate and maintain specialized turf equipment safely and effectively, including mowers, sprayers, aerators, and construction equipment
- Managerial capability to prioritize daily, weekly, and seasonal tasks and to coordinate these tasks with faculty, students, and technical staff conducting turfgrass research and education programs
- Computer skills sufficient for record keeping, budgeting, inventory management, and data reporting as required for facility operations
- Must have a valid driver’s license and good driving record
- Must have or obtain within one year of hire a Virginia Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License in Category 10 (Demonstration and Research Pest Control)
- Ability to comply with OSHA, FIFRA, and Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation standards for chemical handling and application
- Physical ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and perform tasks requiring lifting, bending, and extended periods of standing
Nice To Haves
- College-level training and work experience with turfgrass research techniques and experimental design
- Demonstrated experience in turfgrass management or related agricultural operations in a research or production setting
- Familiarity with irrigation system installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance
- Working knowledge of soil and water conservation and protection practices
- Experience supervising employees, volunteers, or student work groups
- Ability to develop and implement operational strategies and contribute to long-term facility planning
Responsibilities
- Coordinates maintenance and operations across the TRC’s research plots, equipment, and infrastructure
- Leads turfgrass management practices
- Supervises personnel
- Oversees equipment and resource allocation
- Monitors turf health
- Implements integrated pest management strategies
- Maintains compliance with OSHA, FIFRA, and Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation standards
- Manages chemical inventories and applications
- Financial oversight
- Strategic planning
- Project execution
- Develops annual operational strategies
- Manages budgets
- Secures funding and donations
- Plans facility improvements
- Procurement and preventive maintenance of specialized turf and construction equipment
- Oversight of irrigation systems, research field installations, and landscape renovations
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Number of Employees
1,001-5,000 employees
