ATHLETIC GROUND SUPERINTENDENT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, TAMPA, FL

Position Title: ATHLETIC GROUNDS SUPERINTENDENT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, TAMPA, FL

SSC Services for Education is known for our expertise, commitment, and value; and we at SSC truly believe that our people are our greatest asset. By utilizing our associates’ knowledge and experience alongside SSC’s extensive training, providing supportive management, and offering unparalleled wage and benefit packages as well as career advancement opportunities, we have developed a workforce that differentiates us from our competitors.

SSC Services for Education is a Nationwide Best in Class Facility Service Provider . As a member of Compass Group, North America, we want you to be as great as you can be. We empower our associates to direct their own future, keeping them confident that we support them every step of the way. As a result, our associates embody greatness through their actions, natural passion for quality, and a can-do attitude. The opportunity for greatness is real at SSC and throughout the Compass world.

This position is eligible for an Employee Referral Bonus! If you know someone that is qualified for this role, please use the ‘job search’ in PeopleHub to refer your referral and email them a link to apply. Your referral will be able to apply by clicking the link in the email. You can check the status through your profile, accessible via Careers in PeopleHub, by clicking on ‘referral tracking.’ For Employee Referral guidelines, FAQs and the Compass Employee Referral Policy, email View email address on aiapply.co.

Job Summary

The Athletic Grounds Superintendent is responsible for assisting with the daily management, maintenance, and operational readiness of University of South Florida Athletics outdoor athletic fields, competition venues, and associated grounds. This position supports a Division I intercollegiate athletics program and is responsible for maintaining safe, championship-caliber playing surfaces and surrounding grounds for student-athletes, coaches, and staff..

The Grounds Superintendent will assist with the implementation of comprehensive athletic field maintenance programs, including turfgrass management, irrigation, fertility, pest management, field preparation, event setup, field recovery, and seasonal renovation. The position works under Director of Grounds for Athletics & Recreation, and with Athletics Facilities leadership, coaches, sport administrators, event operations, maintenance, and external vendors to ensure facilities are consistently maintained at the highest operational and competitive standards.

Primary Responsibilities

Athletic Field & Grounds Management

• Manage the daily operation and maintenance of USF Athletics athletic fields, practice fields, competition venues, and associated landscaped grounds.
• Establish and maintain daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal field maintenance schedules.
• Oversee mowing, edging, aeration, verticutting, topdressing, overseeding, fertilization, irrigation, weed control, pest management, and other turfgrass cultural practices.
• Maintain competition and practice fields at a Division I championship standard with an emphasis on safety, playability, appearance, and consistency.
• Coordinate field preparation for practices, competitions, camps, clinics, tournaments, and special events.
• Manage field setup and takedown, including goals, nets, field markings, signage, equipment, and other sport-specific requirements.
• Coordinate post-event field inspections and repairs to return fields to optimal playing condition.
• Monitor field conditions and make recommendations regarding field closures, practice modifications, or competition impacts due to weather or field conditions.
• Develop long-term plans for turfgrass replacement, field renovation, drainage improvements, irrigation upgrades, soil amendments, and other field enhancement projects.
• Maintain surrounding athletic grounds, landscaped areas, walkways, berms, fencing areas, and other outdoor Athletics spaces to established departmental standards.
• Supervise, train, schedule, and evaluate grounds staff and seasonal employees assigned to Athletics.
• Establish daily work assignments and priorities based on field conditions, event schedules, weather, and operational needs.
• Develop and implement staff training programs addressing turfgrass management, equipment operation, safety, chemical applications, field preparation, and emergency response.

Long Description

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience managing high-profile athletic fields , preferably within a collegiate, professional, or major sports environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple athletic fields with varying turfgrass types, usage requirements, and competition schedules.
• Experience supervising and training grounds or turfgrass personnel.
• Demonstrated knowledge of athletic field construction, turfgrass science, irrigation, fertility, pest management, soil science, and field renovation practices.
• Current pesticide applicator certification or the ability to obtain applicable Florida pesticide licenses within six months of employment.
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate grounds maintenance equipment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage work schedules, budgets, procurement activities, and maintenance programs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint , or comparable software.
• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, holidays, and non-traditional schedules based on Athletics competition and event requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Turfgrass Science, Horticulture, or related discipline.
• Experience working within a Division I collegiate athletics program, professional sports organization, or major athletic venue .
• Florida pesticide applicator certification in applicable turf and ornamental categories.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience managing high-profile athletic fields , preferably within a collegiate, professional, or major sports environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple athletic fields with varying turfgrass types, usage requirements, and competition schedules.
• Experience supervising and training grounds or turfgrass personnel.
• Demonstrated knowledge of athletic field construction, turfgrass science, irrigation, fertility, pest management, soil science, and field renovation practices.
• Current pesticide applicator certification or the ability to obtain applicable Florida pesticide licenses within six months of employment.
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate grounds maintenance equipment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage work schedules, budgets, procurement activities, and maintenance programs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint , or comparable software.
• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, holidays, and non-traditional schedules based on Athletics competition and event requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Turfgrass Science, Horticulture, or related discipline.
• Experience working within a Division I collegiate athletics program, professional sports organization, or major athletic venue .
• Florida pesticide applicator certification in applicable turf and ornamental categories.

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Associates at SSC are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details:

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

SSC maintains a drug-free workplace.