Director, Turf Management

Job Title: Director, Turf Management
Department: 0140SO - TURF - STADIUM
Business Unit: TCX
Location: Dick's Sporting Goods Park - Commerce City, Colorado
Reports To: GM, Venue Operations
Employment Type: Full-Time – Salaried – Exempt
Supervisor Position: Yes
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) is an American Sports and Entertainment holding company based in Denver, Colorado. KSE is committed to providing world class sports and entertainment for both live and broadcast audiences. We are the employer of choice as the owner and operator of Ball Arena, DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, the Paramount Theatre, 1STBANK Center, Denver Nuggets (NBA), the Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Mammoth (NLL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), KIMN,KXKL, KKSE (FM/AM), Altitude Sports & Entertainment, Major League Fishing/Fishing League Worldwide (MLFLW), Winnercomm, Outdoor Sportsman Group and SkyCam.
Nature of Work:
The Director of Turf Management is responsible for managing and maintaining the integrity of all the natural grass and synthetic turf fields at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Duties include the oversight of all DSGP youth recreational fields (21 grass, 2 synthetic) as well as the Colorado Rapids Training Field and DSGP Stadium Match surface, along with DSGP site landscaping and ornamental needs. The Director of Turf Operations will be tasked as the leading subject matter expert in professional turf maintenance for Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, and for providing safe and aesthetically pleasing fields while working within a fiscally responsible framework. This position reports directly to the General Manager of Venue Operations.
Examples of work performed:

• Supervises and participates in preparing and maintaining the playing fields and surrounding landscaping (including Colorado Rapids stadium and practice field and all youth field complex fields) to include sand-based, native soil, and synthetic turf fields.
• Develops, implements, and executes an effective program for maintaining a healthy, durable playing field, including programs covering watering, fertilization, mowing/cutting, aeration, chemical treatments, grooming of synthetic turf, etc.
• Develop and maintain a strong communication plan with Rapids First Team and Rapids 2 leadership to track and summarize the professional team turf quality and needs.
• Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains all field staff (both full-time and part-time); determines manpower needs and schedules accordingly; works with Human Resources and General Counsel to counsel and discipline as appropriate.
• Develops specifications for, and coordinates the purchase of, all necessary equipment, supplies, goods and services needed to properly maintain the playing field and surrounding areas.
• Develops and administers the annual playing field and landscape budget; monitors the budget on an ongoing basis and practices cost-effective techniques.
• Establishes, along with other management, the turf maintenance and general field development priorities and use schedules with program supervisors; identifies alternatives and other cost-effective ways to get improved results.
• Responds to inquiries from the company and make presentations to groups regarding the comprehensive maintenance program for the athletic fields.

OTHER DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Cooperates and coordinates with other Stadium and KSE departments in the use of the playing field for concerts, ceremonies, sponsorship use, filming, and non-soccer use of the playing field.
• Attends herbicide, Turf Management, irrigation maintenance, and/or pest control classes as directed to stay abreast and knowledge in landscape techniques.
• Develop layout and construct special landscape projects from designs and blueprints to include planters, planting beds, and landscape timbers, ensure work is installed according to project specifications; repair broken posts or fences as directed.
• Assures required safety standards and precautions, as well as company policies, are followed.
• Performs related duties as needed or assigned.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES:

• Supervises Turf Manager (1), Turf Coordinators (2), Irrigation Systems Maintenance Technician (1), Turf Equipment Technician (1), and seasonal staff.

This description is a summary only and describes the general level of work being performed, it is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change from time to time and/or based on business needs. We reserve the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the supervisor and/or hiring authority.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

• Lift 50 lbs. daily
• Work in extreme weather conditions

Material and Equipment Used:

• Various professional/commercial field maintenance equipment including vertical and rotary, aerifiers, sprayers, verticutters, field painting equipment, snow plows, etc.
• General office equipment including copier, fax, phone, computer/keyboard, etc.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Turf Management preferred; may substitute years of work experience in maintaining grounds and landscape with specialized knowledge of irrigation systems, Turf Management and high-performance sand-based fields, mineral soil fields, and synthetic turf fields.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• 5+ years’ experience in the field of maintaining grounds and landscapes with specialized knowledge of irrigation systems, Turf Management and high-performance sand-based fields, mineral soil fields, and synthetic turf fields, preferably in the soccer industry.
  1. Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
  2. Experience with field subsurface air and heating systems preferred.
  3. Previous experience with multiple turf types in transition zones, including bluegrass, rye, and Bermuda.
• Preferred
  1. Certified Sports Field Manager (CSFM), preferred.
  2. Member and participant of the Sports Turf Managers Association preferred.
  3. Ability to acquire or produce and maintain a valid driver’s license and meet company vehicle driving standards.

Competencies/Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of athletic field design and construction; maintenance, fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides; irrigation systems; drainage control methods; the environments surrounding the athletic fields and the ability to implement safeguards as needed.
• Ability to professionally and successfully interact with staff, supervisors, and other KSE staff, players and MLS officials.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work long, irregular hours including nights, weekends and holidays.
• Strong problem-solving skill set and the ability to troubleshoot and anticipate problems.
• Possession of a valid Colorado driver’s license.

Compensation:

• Base salary range $92,000-$102,000.00 per annum

Benefits Include:

• 12 Paid Company Holidays
• Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Life Insurance
• Short and Long-term Disability
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending plans (FSAs)
• 401K/Employer Match

Equal Employment Opportunity
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.