Assistant Manager-Grounds, Turfgrass, and Horticulture

Three year term, est. June 2026 through June 2029

Reports to: Waterman Manager of Turfgrass and Grounds, with a dashed line and close working relationship with the Chadwick Arboretum Manager of Horticulture Operations.

Detailed Job Description:

As part of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Operations team and under the supervision of the Waterman Manager of Turfgrass and Grounds, coordinates and assists with operational and greenspace management tasks at the Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory (Waterman), and Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens (Chadwick); Coordinate staff to maintain gardens, lawn areas and green infrastructure (e.g. basins, rain gardens, etc.) at Waterman; Assists with Waterman horticultural, agronomic crops, and Turfgrass operations; Assists to support horticultural, agronomic, turfgrass, ecological and related teaching, outreach, and research programs; Assists with acquiring mechanical supplies and inputs for plot support; Operates and maintains equipment, including hand tools, fertilizer and herbicide application equipment; Conduct operations to demonstrate best management practices for ecological management, including as part of a public showcase; maintains effective communications with industry professionals, college administration, faculty and staff and general public; Coordinate staff, students, equipment and resources among Waterman and Chadwick Arboretum; Assists on operational and mechanical tasks with Chadwick operations; Assist the Chadwick Operations team with Oversees equipment maintenance and upkeep, utilizing internal staff, university partners (e.g. FOD), and external vendors as needed; Evaluate projects for improved efficiency of operation, defining the scope of work, acquiring quotes and completing work under direction of the Managers; Assists with technical tasks such as irrigation installation; Manage and assist with projects such as the Annual Cultivar Trials program, growing, maintaining and evaluating plants, coordinate volunteers and staff to assist with greenhouse, plant maintenance and other related functions; Assists faculty, staff and students with research layout, experimental design, treatment application and other project support functions; Assists with outreach events, Extension programs, tours, and student activities to showcase the work of CFAES; Assists to coordinate operations, equipment and other logistical support for student instructional labs; Assists with outreach events, Extension programs, tours, and student activities to showcase the work of CFAES; Assists to coordinate operations, equipment and other logistical support for student instructional labs; Provides back up support and assistance to other CFAES unit managers, including but not limited to horticulture and specialty crop areas, environmental and natural resources, grounds and turfgrass, Chadwick, and Wetlands facilities.

Education

Minimum education: High school diploma or GED.

Desired: Bachelors degree in food, Agricultural, Environmental Sciences, or related fields OR equivalent work experience. Area of study in horticulture sciences with specialization in plant systems, environmental systems, or related. Masters degree or training in horticulture, soil science, and/or environmental sciences.

Experience

Required: Four years of experience in management including horticulture, soil sciences, and/or plant health systems. Excellent communication and collaboration skills. Working knowledge of mechanical equipment including but not limited to hand tools, tractors, nutrient and pesticide application equipment, and skid steer loaders. Ability and willingness to obtain an Ohio Pesticide Commercial Applicators License and Class B Commercial Drivers License within 180 days of hire. Ability to lift at least 50 pounds. Mastery of Microsoft Office, email, and Microsoft Teams

Target Hiring Range: $17.50-$22.86/hr. plus staff benefits.

The offer for this position will fall within this range based on internal equity, units available budget, and the candidates qualifications

This job profile is a Farm Coordinator 4 (T4 level) on the career roadmap.