Duties and Responsibilities of the Position:

1. Supervises and performs grounds maintenance activities including mowing, aerating, verticutting, fertilization, seeding, sodding, topdressing, and painting sports practice and competition fields and lawns, including irrigation systems.
2. Performs application of chemicals, fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides following proper protocols and certifications.
3. Supervises and performs the removal of snow and ice from athletics facilities using hand and power snow removal equipment, including spreading salt, sand, and deicers.
4. Ensures the operational readiness and safety of equipment, such as trucks, trailers, gators, mowers, weed eaters, seeders, paint machines/robot, sweepers, backpack blowers, blades, brushes, and other power and non-power equipment and tools.
5. Maintains records of all maintenance of grounds equipment including trucks, forklifts, mowers, weed eaters, tractors, trailers, seeders, painters, aerators, blowers, and various other maintenance-related tools and equipment.
6. Maintains records on field applications and preparations.
7. Directly supervises full-time, part-time, and student facility staff. Leads all aspects of workforce management including hiring, training, scheduling, performance evaluation, and corrective action. Oversees third-party game-day workers and ensures effective event coverage.
8. Maintains personnel records concerning direct-report staff, including evaluations, disciplinary actions, position descriptions, and other personnel-related documentation.
9. Maintains a network of local and regional turf vendors and contractors for materials, supplies, and major repair projects.
10. Coordinates with Custodial Supervisor and Maintenance Supervisor to ensure good communication and smooth event operations for game days.
11. Occasionally supervises and performs post-event trash services and clean-up activities.
12. Attends scheduled meetings with other departmental staff to address specific needs for present or future fields, grounds projects, and to coordinate efforts on ongoing outside practices and competitions, including meetings with Directors of Operations and Coaches.
13. Manages staff overtime hours to prevent burnout of existing staff.
14. Maintains excellent working relationships with internal campus and external trade partners to achieve exceptional operations of Athletics Facilities.
15. Meets regularly with Assistant AD – Facilities on daily operations and forecasting grounds upkeep activities around sports schedules and seasons, including contracted services.
16. Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Environment

This job operates in both a professional office environment and outside at KAI-related events, including inclement weather. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers and various digital devices, including, but not limited to: cell phone, printer, copy machine, and other related devices. This job requires flexibility and adaptability in schedule and the ability to perform job-related duties on short notice.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. This position may require frequent bending, moving, lifting, and carrying material weighing up to 50 pounds; standing up to eight hours each day; and working in all weather conditions.

Travel

Limited travel is expected for this position.

Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work will vary based on the needs of the sports programs and as job duties demand. Early morning, evening, and weekend work is sometimes required.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in relevant event venue setting to include knowledge of standard practices in grounds upkeep and maintenance, building trades, and equipment maintenance
• Ability to effectively communicate through oral, written, and electronic forms
• Ability to multi-task, detail orientated, and ability to work with a diverse group of staff
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Chemical Application Certification license

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Previous intercollegiate/high school athletics experience in grounds maintenance
• Previous trades supervisory and management experience

About KU Athletics

Kansas Athletics, Inc. is a not for profit corporation which was organized in 1925 to foster development of intercollegiate athletics in conjunction with the educational activities of the University of Kansas. Kansas Athletics operates the varsity intercollegiate athletic programs (18 men's and women's intercollegiate teams) of the University of Kansas in facilities owned by the State of Kansas. A major comprehensive research and teaching university with an enrollment of approximately 27,000, the University provides outstanding excellence in education and research.Kansas Athletics is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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