Facilities Sports Turf Manager

Grand Canyon University!  One of Arizona’s leading institutions of higher learning. Located in the Valley of Sun in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, GCU is a regionally accredited, private, nondenominational Christian University. 

GCU Facilities manages and services all university-owned property. By the development and maintenance of the GCU campus and surrounding areas, GCU aims to support and ensure the accomplishment of the university’s mission. By working creatively and collaboratively, we fulfill the needs of the university by successfully managing our resources while delivering excellent customer service.

Grand Canyon University is seeking a full time Facilities Sports Turf Manager for our Facilities Department. This role will manage the care, maintenance, and renovation of all intercollegiate, club and intramural athletic fields and grounds. Establishes and implements grounds/landscape development and maintenance goals, policies, and procedures. Ensures adherence to all relevant regulations, guidelines, and standards for Division 1-A athletic fields.

What you will do:

• Develops and implements plans for the successful maintenance of all athletic fields and grounds, both natural and artificial turf.

• Manages construction, renovation and/or reconstruction of sports facilities.

• Works with Department Heads to ensure all playing surfaces are ready when needed.

• Prepares the annual budgets for the maintenance and sports fields in accordance with master plans and defined maintenance standards.

• Preparations of these facilities are in accordance with all National Collegiate Athletic Association and WAC Conference rules and regulations and are established through environmentally sound cultural practices that promote safe playing conditions.

• Operate equipment including, mowers, trimmers, edgers, blowers, hand and power tools, utility vehicles, tractors, spreaders, aerifiers, and others pertaining to turfgrass maintenance.

• Specifies, purchases (or leases) equipment and necessary supplies/materials to maintain the sports facilities and properties.

• Supervises the conversion and protection of athletic fields during special events.

• Restores fields damaged by weather, use, or other conditions to a level commensurate with that expected of Division 1-A athletic programs.

• Maintains supply inventory by checking stock to determine inventory levels; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies.

• Monitors weather on a daily basis and communicates to Athletic field users.

• Be proficient with painting athletic fields to include layout, execution and cleanup of fields and associated painters and equipment.

• Other duties as assigned.

What you need:

• High school diploma or equivalency required; bachelor’s degree preferred.

• 3 plus years of Sports Turf maintenance experience

• Spraying/ Fertilizer application experience

• Experience working with warm season sports turf, overseeded sports turf, and transition.

• Must successfully pass a background check.

• Advanced knowledge of agronomy and environmental turfgrass management practices including pest/disease/weed management; an understanding of soil chemistry; a working knowledge of sports field construction principles, practices, and methods; and a thorough understanding of the sport’s governing bodies’ requirements for field layout and marking.

• A high degree of administrative and executive ability, especially in terms of problem solving and decision making.

• Excellent oral and written communications skills

• Knowledge of current federal, state, and local laws and regulations affecting the management and operations of sports fields and facilities (including, but not limited to employment, safety and environmental standards, laws, and regulations).

• Participation in continuing education opportunities such as seminars, workshops, web-based training courses, field days and trade shows

• May require certification as a Certified Sports Field Manager (CSFM), and current state certification.

Why work at GCU?

• Exceptional workplace benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401K savings plan.

• Generous time off plan and 11 paid holidays

• Paid time off to volunteer in the community or at GCU sponsored events.

• Free covered parking

• We also offer full-time employees, their spouses, and dependent children an Education Tuition Discount Program

• Free on-site gyms at all our office locations