How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
Reporting to the South Athletic Complex Facility Manager, the Sports Turf Specialist (STS) II is responsible for the care, maintenance, and overall condition of athletic fields, surrounding grounds, and related facilities. This role will have primary responsibility for the University of Michigan Soccer Complex, which includes three natural grass fields. As part of a collaborative team, the STS plays a key role in delivering high-quality and safe playing surfaces and ensuring overall facility readiness.
The position supports event and game operations for all home soccer matches and other select events at the Facility Manager's discretion, requiring significant night and weekend hours. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a team environment, prioritize tasks in a dynamic setting, and communicate clearly and professionally. This role requires advanced knowledge and understanding of turf management practices and ability to diagnose and treat turf-related issues. The STS will implement best practices in pest and disease management, including the appropriate use of pesticides, fertilization, and other methods.
Responsibilities*
- Perform daily field set-up duties including mowing, edging, watering, weeding, trimming and clean-up (blowing, sweeping).
- Set-up of fields for various sports including football, baseball, softball, field hockey, soccer, and lacrosse. Set-up to include lining of fields, setting of sports specific equipment (bases, goals, nets, etc.) raking of fields, prepping of plate/mound areas, etc.
- Groom, level and sweep artificial turf fields.
- Install and repair irrigation systems including valves, sprinklers, electrical components, and controllers.
- Operate irrigation systems using automated computer programs.
- Calibrate irrigation systems to achieve Matched Precipitation Rates.
- Perform painting of field lines using hand and power painters in compliance with NCAA rules.
- Install and repair field drainage systems.
- Diagnose turf, plant and tree diseases and pest problems and determine appropriate course of action, including pesticide application, fertilization or other techniques.
- Determine correct chemical application using specialized equipment.
- Mix and apply selective and non-selective herbicides and fertilizers.
- Mix and apply pesticides.
- Maintain application records and product inventories, and order stock when needed.
- Remove unwanted vegetation by weeding or cultivating with hand tools.
- Build planting beds, install boulder and other type of retaining walls, lay pavers and plant shrubs/perennials according to landscape design plans.
- Remove snow and ice using shovels, plows and salt spreaders.
- Disassemble, clean and sharpen reel and rotary mower blades.
- Clean, maintain, and lubricate assigned equipment, and make adjustments for proper operation.
- Provide customer service to industry standards.
- Perform duties in keeping with the standards of Division I Athletic Facilities.
- Build or restore mounds, basepaths, home plate areas or other specialized areas using industry equipment.
- Clean assigned areas of work.
- Repair and adjust equipment with the assistance of a mechanic.
- Perform or assist with annual maintenance of equipment such as carts, trailers and mowers, including replacing fluids, filters, bearings, seals, worn parts, and grinding reel and bed knives.
- Assist in other facilities during the Winter period as needed.
- Train temporary staff.
Required Qualifications*
- Minimum of 3 years experience in sports turf maintenance.
- Completion of 9 Credit Hours in an Accredited Turfgrass Management Program.
- Current commercial applicators license (Minimum, 3 A turfgrass pest management) or ability to obtain within six months.
- Completion of an irrigation system electrical troubleshooting class (Irrigation Association or Toro) or ability to obtain within six months.
- Asbestos class III Operations and Maintenance Removal Certification or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
- Forklift operator certification or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
- Aerial lift certification or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
- Demonstrated ability to prepare fields at a professional or NCAA level including implementing mowing patterns and crisp edging of field/turf lines.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain synthetic turf by grooming, sweeping, dragging, cleaning and topdressing using sand/rubber infill material.
- Demonstrated ability to safely and effectively operate power equipment, and hand and power tools used in the sports turf industry.
- Demonstrated experience of effectively working in a team environment.
- Ability to prioritize work and manage changing priorities.
- Effective verbal communication skills.
- Ability and willingness to mentor and train interns and temporary staff.
- Ability to diagnose diseases and pests to determine an appropriate course of action including pesticide application, fertilization or other methods and best practices.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
$27.82/hr (pay grade 9) + $0.75/hr (special schedule premium) special schedule premium is subject to change
Eligible for overtime after 40 hours worked per week.
Union Affiliation
This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the AFSCME union, which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.