The Sports Turf Specialist is part of the Facilities Grounds team in the Maintenance and Operations Department at Vanderbilt University. The Sports Turf Specialist work to support the Grounds Department in general and the Athletic Field group specifically. Under the direction of the Sports Turf Manager, this position functions within the day-to-day operation of the Sports Turf maintenance crew in activities generally associated with athletic turf care/maintenance which include but are not limited to; mowing, preparation of game/practice surfaces to comply with NCAA regulations and individual head coach preferences, string trimming, edging, hardscape maintenance, turf blowing and/or vacuuming, general clean up and litter removal, irrigation/drainage repairs and installation, pruning and weeding of landscape, oversight of repair/replacement of turfgrass including sodding, topdressing, verti-cutting, aerification, and seeding. Perform daily visual inspections of all assigned areas. Assist in field and facility preparation for all NCAA sporting events and facility events. Communicate with the Sports Field Manager, Athletic Department Facilities staff, and operations staff to ensure that all daily requirements are met. Maintains professional education and development through local and national organizations.
About the Work Unit:
Facilities Department provides facilities support for all construction, renovation, and routine maintenance of University space and facilities; housekeeping services for approximately 5.8 million square feet of academic, administrative, residential, and recreational space; grounds care for 330 acres that are a registered arboretum; turf care for athletic fields; and utilities for the University Central and the Medical Center. The Facilities department is comprised of Campus Planning & Construction, Maintenance and Operations, the Business Operations Center and Real Estate.
Key Functions and Expected Performance:
Complete the directives and instructions of the Sports Field Manager to provide care and maintenance to the natural and artificial athletic competition surfaces
Ability and knowledge of sport field specific practices such as soil compaction management and turfgrass recovery in the transition zone
Ability to recognize and report common weeds, turf disease, soil fertility and other issues which might occur in athletic turf
Ability and knowledge required to competently operate machinery used in athletic field turf care, including but not limited to reel mowers, rotary mowers, string trimmers, blowers, push mowers, backpack blowers, fertilizer spreaders, spray equipment and hand tools
Ability and knowledge to complete minor irrigation repairs such as replacing, reorienting or re-nozzeling rotary sprinkler heads
Provide game day support for athletic matches and competitions
Provide facility support for events held on fields including but not limited to concerts, commencement and special events scheduled through the athletic department
Assist with landscape upkeep of areas adjacent to or incorporated within stadiums and practice fields
Work with a crew of 2-5 individuals on a regular basis
Perform tasks necessary to respond to winter weather conditions including outside of normal working hours
Operate a walk behind paint machine and/or robotic paint machine
Knowledge of NCAA playing surface measurements and regulations as well as general NCAA and SEC rules and regulations
Lining and painting of all fields per NCAA regulations
Knowledge and ability to properly calibrate spreaders and sprayers
Ability and skill to safely spray athletic fields and other turfgrass surfaces
Ability to assist the Sports Field Manager in chemical application record keeping and chemical inventory
Ability to assist the Sports Field Manager through communication with the site-specific athletic department representative
Knowledge and proficient skills in maintenance and repair of synthetic turf
Knowledge and proficient skills in sod work on natural Turfgrass fields
Analyzes problems and develops alternative solutions
Strong organizational skills, planning, and prioritization skills
Other duties as assigned
Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibility, this position reports administratively and functionally to the Sports Field Manager
Education and Certifications:
Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Turfgrass Management or a related field.
Equivalent experience may be substituted for a degree.
Valid Tennessee Drivers License or equivalent from another state.
Possess or be able to attain a Tennessee Pesticide Applicators License within 3 months of starting employment
Possess membership(s) in local, state and national Sport and Turfgrass professional associations
Experience and Skills:
One to three years of Athletic turfgrass experience
Knowledge of NCAA and SEC rules and regulations
Extensive knowledge of both warm season and cool season turfgrasses in the transition zone
Basic communication and computer skills preferred.
Must be able to bend, stoop, reach or stand for extended periods of time.
Must be able to lift as at least 70 lbs