Job Description

Summary Compass Minerals National Performance Center is the training home of Sporting KC. CMNPC also hosts national team trainings, U.S. Soccer coaching clinics and various other events throughout the year. CMNPC has a sand based \xe2\x80\x9csuper pitch\xe2\x80\x9d consisting of 8 acres Northbridge Bermuda, two Green Fields synthetic surfaces and 4 acres of common space. The Assistant Groundskeeper for Sporting Kansas City CMNPC assists the Turf & Field Operations Team in providing safe and aesthetically pleasing fields through timely agronomic planning. In addition, the Assistant Groundskeeper CMNPC maintains constant communication with Team Administrators and the Technical Staff in order to achieve operational objectives.

Sporting Kansas City is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and equity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all associates. We encourage all talented individuals looking for a challenge to apply.


Essential Functions

• Works with Turf Operations in conjunction with Technical Staff, Team Administration and, Sporting Fields and Athletics to creatively plan cultural practices, such as aerification to align best with scheduled events.
• Works with Sports Turf Managers Association and the United States Golf Course Superintendents Association to innovate and maintain an eye on the cutting edge of industry developments and how the Turf Operations team can use those best practices to our advantage.
• Works with Technical Staff, Team Administration to balance field usage, maintenance practices and setup requirements of first team.
• Assists in the development and execution of best IPM (Integrated Pest Management) programs.
• Develop a comprehensive field maintenance program that aligns with both usage and the financial plan of the facility that includes but is not limited to:
  • Fertility
  • Pesticide/Herbicide applications
  • Grooming synthetics
  • Scheduled use of water
• Paints natural grass and synthetic fields as needed for various trainings taking place throughout the week.
• Mows natural grass fields and common areas throughout the facility as needed.
• Maintains edges of sidewalks and synthetic fields.
• Maintains all grounds equipment via timely maintenance including:
  • Tracking all maintenance via OneDrive
  • Tracking monthly usage hours via OneDrive
  • Changing oil, filters, spark plugs
  • Minor maintenance as necessary
• Manages the use of blankets to not only extend the growing season but protect damaged turf.
• Maintains irrigation system and conducts repairs of system when necessary.
• Ability to create and maintain a safe work environment compliant with governing state and federal authorities.
• Support other Sporting facilities (Children\xe2\x80\x99s Mercy Park, Swope Soccer Village and Compass Minerals Sporting Fields) in achieving turf management goals when available.
• Ability to work Sporting Kansas City and Sporting Kansas City II games at Children\xe2\x80\x99s Mercy Park.
• Ability to perform functions around weather and training schedules, maintaining communication with Turf Operations, Technical Staff, Team Administration.
• Develop detailed dashboard reports to track and summarize the attributes that comprise how the fields play and present.
• Develop best methods of daily, weekly, and monthly communication with the Director and Manager of Turf Operations.
• Represent Sporting Kansas City and its related affiliates in a professional manner at all times.
• Perform other related tasks as assigned.

Gameday Responsibilities

• Paint the field.
• Set goals and corner flags pre-game and remove goals post-game.
• Mow the field in game day patterns.
• Check the field and complete divot repair.
• Clean up pre-game fireworks.
• Water and conduct field repair at halftime.
• Blow and pick up any debris and repair the field.

Personal Attributes

• Strong organizational, communications and interpersonal skills, as well as sound written and verbal presentation.
• Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives and exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot problems.
• Interpret policy, procedures, and data.
• Excellent multitasking abilities while maintaining a strong attention to detail.

Skills and Experience

• Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s Degree in Turf Management or related field preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of turf-related experience, preferably in the Sports Turf Management industry.
• Previous experience operating sports turf equipment.
• Previous experience with multiple turf types in transition zones, including Rye and Bermuda.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare an annual budget.
• Obtain Missouri Pesticide Applicators License within 6 months of hire.
• Member and participant of the Sports Turf Managers Association preferred.
• Proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Calendar.

Physical Abilities
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Required to sit, stand and walk.
• Use hands to finger, hand or feel objects, tools or controls.
• Frequent stooping, bending, pulling and pushing.
• Reach with hands and arms.
• Required to talk and hear consistently.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry and/or drag up to fifty (50) pounds if necessary.
• Specific vision abilities required by the role include the ability to distinguish the nature of objects by using the eye.
• Role will be performed mainly outdoors in various weather conditions, including frequent exposure to the sun and heat.
• Occasional exposure to fumes or airborne particles, as well as toxic and caustic chemicals.
• Will be working near moving mechanical parts.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays as necessary.