Position Summary

Join a dynamic team dedicated to maintaining world-class athletic and recreational facilities at SDSU. As the Lead Athletic Fields Groundsworker, you will lead turf operations and ensure the highest standards of care for both natural and synthetic playing surfaces across campus. This role is essential to supporting SDSU Athletics, Aztec Recreation, and the broader university community.

You will be responsible for the planning, maintenance, and enhancement of athletic fields and landscaped areas, ensuring they are safe, visually appealing, and competition-ready. This includes coordinating field preparations for games and practices, managing turf health, and supervising student crews.

Why You Should Apply

• Be a key player in SDSU Athletics: Support high-profile NCAA sports programs by delivering top-tier field conditions.
• Lead with expertise: Use your turf management knowledge to influence field design, maintenance schedules, and safety protocols.
• Work in a vibrant campus environment: Maintain diverse and beautiful outdoor spaces that enhance student experience.
• Collaborate across departments: Partner with Athletics, Aztec Recreation, and Facilities Services to meet strategic goals.
• Grow your leadership skills: Hire, train, and supervise student crews while contributing to budget planning and policy development.
• Make a visible impact: Your work directly supports athletic performance, campus aesthetics, and community pride.
• Commitment to safety and excellence: Champion best practices in workplace safety, communication, and customer service.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate turf operations for athletic and recreational fields.
• Manage field preparation for games, practices, and events.
• Conduct turf analysis, repairs, and preventative maintenance.
• Supervise student crews and assist with staffing needs.
• Ensure compliance with SDSU, NCAA, and conference regulations.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and well-functioning work environment.
• Communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Promote safety awareness and implement hazard controls.

Ready to take the field? Apply now and help shape the future of SDSU’s athletic and recreational landscape.

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, temporary position with an anticipated end date of June 30, 2026, with the possibility of reappointment. 
• This position is designated as non-exempt under FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation. 
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

The Division of Business and Financial Affairs is responsible for ensuring a safe, productive campus environment while providing the highest quality service in support of academic excellence through thoughtful stewardship of financial, technological, infrastructure and human resources at San Diego State University.

SDSU Facilities Services (FS) is a customer-service based organization providing facility maintenance activities through a transparent and deliberate process. It is responsible for the operation, maintenance, repair, renovation, remodel, and alteration activities in support of the academic and research mission of the university. Facilities Services employs approximately 250 employees and supports approximately eight million square feet of buildings (including residence halls and parking structures) and 280 acres of improved and unimproved land.

For more information regarding the Facilities department, click here.

Education and Experience

Thorough knowledge of methods, materials, and tools and equipment used in planting, cultivating, and caring for flowers, shrubs, lawns, and trees. General knowledge of common plant diseases, pests, and weeds; approved methods and materials used in their control and eradication, horticultural methods, and materials; and planting and growing requirements of plants commonly grown in California. 

Ability to lay out, coordinate, and oversee the work of others; provide training, interpret policies and explain methods and procedures; inspect and evaluate the work of others; read and write at a level appropriate to the duties of the position; and perform general gardening and grounds maintenance work. 

Two years of experience in planting, cultivating, and maintaining flowers and shrubs, or in general grounds maintenance work.

Key Qualifications

• Two years’ experience in a related field (i.e., Athletic Fields, Soil Management, Agronomy).
• Two years’ sports/athletics field preparation experience.
• Must possess excellent prioritization and task completion skills involving multiple schedules to perform in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
• Must have thorough knowledge of the latest methods, materials and equipment used in sports turf management and NCAA Division I or professional athletic field construction and maintenance. Knowledge of the parameters and dimensions of all collegiate athletic events (playing fields, courts, track events, etc.).
• Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with coaches, administration, and internal/external customers. Must demonstrate knowledge of effective leadership practices and techniques. Must demonstrate initiative and sound problem-solving skills. Must possess a strong customer-service philosophy.
• Knowledge of NCAA field layouts and painting techniques. Experience maintaining athletic fields, preferably at the NCAA Division I or professional sports level is preferred.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain warm season grass varieties, specifically hybrid Bermuda and overseeding practices.
• Two-year degree with emphasis in sports turf management (or completed coursework in horticulture, sports turf management, turf grass science, or a related field) is preferred.
•  Sports Turf Managers certification. Commercial Applicator Certificate (of pesticides) issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture is preferred.

Licenses/Certifications Required

• Valid California Driver’s License within 10 days of hire.
• Qualified Applicator’s License (if not already attained, must complete within three months of hire).

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation, and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Compensation:
  Salary is based on your experience, education, and qualifications, within the department’s budget and equity guidelines.

• CSU Classification Salary Range: $3,907 - $6,598/month; hiring salary not expected to exceed $4,907/month.

Full Benefits Package Includes:

• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Retirement: CalPERS pension plan with retiree healthcare, and reciprocal agreements with other California public retirement systems, including the UC.
• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision options at low or no cost.
• Education Support: CSU tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents.
• Optional Offerings: FlexCash, life and disability insurance, legal and pet plans.
• Campus & Community: Access to the library, campus events, employee groups, and volunteer and social activities.

Our benefits are a significant part of total compensation. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview.

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment. We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. 

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply by August 28, 2025 to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Pang Thao at pythao@sdsu.edu.