Maryland SoccerPlex is seeking Director: Sports Turf & Grounds. Maryland SoccerPlex - a 160-acre Park with 24 full-size fields (13 Bermudagrass, 8 Cool season, 3 Artificial) - is located in Boyds, MD (northwest side of Washington, DC).
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Sustain the high-quality of the 21 natural grass fields that remain in use for at least 36 weeks / year
- Answer to the Executive Director of Maryland Soccer Foundation
- Supervise, mentor and manage the Sports Turf & Grounds staff
- Keep constant communication with Executive Director, Director of Operations, and Event Managers
- Establish & maintain relationships with SoccerPlex clients, partners and other facility stake holders
- Carry-on relationship with Montgomery County Parks Department who maintain the larger South Germantown Park (that SoccerPlex is inside) & share the maintenance facility with SoccerPlex staff
- Update & / manage the budget for the Sports Turf & Grounds Department
- Create unique strategies and implement new methods in order to sustain the highest quality fields possible
- Prepare daily work plans for staff
- Develop the daily / weekly / monthly staff schedule, working around events & / or field use
- Coordinate with Director of Operations to establish weekly field use schedules for all 24 fields
- Coordinate with Manager of Events on daily, weekly, & / or annual events
- Work with Sports Turf staff & / or outside consultants to create & implement overall agronomic maintenance plans
- Operate turf maintenance equipment (as needed) including various mowers, tractors, utility carts and other equipment essential to turf management operations
- Become familiar with TurfTank GPS field lining robots that are essential to produce field layouts for various sports, events, and activities
- Oversee equipment maintenance plan for large fleet of John Deere & Redexim Turf equipment
- Instructs equipment operators on the operation and care of mowers and other equipment
- Coordinate maintenance of 3 artificial turf field surfaces
- Plan, execute, and manage field improvement projects such as drainage and irrigation installation/repair, reseeding/sodding/sprigging of fields, etc.
STAFF DETAILS
- 8 full-time
- Additional part-time / Interns / etc.
FIELD DETAILS
- SoccerPlex Stadium: Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass w FiberSand sand profile
- 2: Northbridge Bermudagrass w 6" sand cap
- 7: Mixed Bermudagrass on native soil with sand grid drainage
- 3: Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass on native soil w sand grid drainage (grass sprigged July 25)
- 8: Cool season (Kentucky bluegrass & Perennial ryegrass) on native soil w sand grid drainage
- 3: AstroTurf artificial turf
QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
- 5+ years of staff management experience
- 7+ years of turf management experience
- 2- or 4-year degree in turf/landscape management or similar degree
PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALITIES
- Team Player
- Positive attitude
- Attention to detail
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to work weekends, nights and irregular hours as needed
- Ability to work in varying climates including extreme cold/heat, wind, rain, and snow
- Ability to work in varying physical positions including standing, kneeling, seated, at height and the use of assistance equipment such ladders, lifts, and motor vehicles
- Valid Driver’s License and safe driving record
- Reliable transportation
- Employment contingent upon successful completion of a background check and proof of COVID vaccination
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- Salary: $90,000+ (based on experience, vision, strategic approach)
- Benefits including, health, dental, and vision coverage, 403b Retirement Plan, paid vacation available
ABOUT MARYLAND SOCCERPLEX
SoccerPlex is the USA's premier natural grass sports complex. On the northwest side of Washington, DC, SoccerPlex hosts 8,000 events & 1.2 million visitors / year - from youth to Pro – across 24 full-size fields. Opened in 2000, SoccerPlex was built & is operated / maintained by Maryland Soccer Foundation (501c-3)
ABOUT SOCCERPLEX SPORTSTURF & GROUNDS
SoccerPlex Sports Turf & Grounds is tasked with maintaining 160-acres to the highest quality possible. That high quality kept on the 21 heavily used natural grass fields is what the SoccerPlex team is best known for.
- SoccerPlex is constantly creating new ideas & testing new concepts for sports field maintenance (SFM)
- Widely used concepts for SFM that have originated at SoccerPlex include modern style fraze mowing, "Blue-muda", seed-to-play in 35 days w 100% Kentucky bluegrass, "rain-out proof" native soil fields, & #GrassCanTakeMore®
The unique work experience with SoccerPlex has yielded career success for many team members. SoccerPlex Alumni include:
- 6 - Director of Sports Turf in Pro Sports (MLS / NWSL / NFL)
- 2 – Director of Sports Turf for Parks & Recreation
- 2 - Manager of Sports Turf in NCAA D-1
- 1 – large territory manager for a turfgrass sales company
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
