Certifications Through STMA Make a Big Impact
STMA IN ACTION
Certifications Through STMA Make a Big Impact
STMA offers two certification programs : one for the individual – the Certified Sports Field Manager ( CSFM ) program ; and one for the facility – the Environmental Facility Certification program . Both provide considerable credibility to you with your employer , your community and your peers . These certification programs demonstrate independent confirmation of achievement and inspire confidence in the knowledge and competence of staff .
CSFM The CSFM program requires successful passing of a foursection comprehensive exam . The exam covers agronomics , pest management , administration , and sportsfield-specific management . To qualify to take the exam , sports field managers must have a combination of education and experience , or experience only ( which requires more years on the job ). Those taking the exam must achieve an 80-percent pass rate on each section . Once certified , CSFMs continue their education by acquiring CEUs and they renew their
certification every three years . Also required is service to the industry , which are very broad activities . The CSFM can contribute articles , serve on industry boards , give presentations – just about any activity that advances the profession is eligible to be counted as industry service . The CSFM program has been in existence since 2000 . To date there are 267 CSFMs .
ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITY CERTIFICATION The Environmental Facility Certification program has two components : assessment and attesting . The assessment is completed by the sports field manager , and covers 10 areas of practices : stormwater management , fertilization , pesticides / IPM , recycling , mowing , composting , energy conservation , shop buildings / storage , irrigation , and educational outreach . The Environmental Committee is adding two sections to the assessment that they will implement later this summer . The new sections include synthetic field management and managed landscape and open spaces . The assessment must have an 80-percent pass rate for each section . The attesting phase involves
7 REASONS WHY EMPLOYERS SUPPORT CERTIFICATION
1 . More assurances in hiring . Because certification programs validate a skill set , employers are hiring a known entity with technical skills . They only need to focus on the “ fit ” within the organization during the hiring process . 2 . Credibility in the community . The credibility that certification brings to a facility can be used effectively to distinguish an organization and its certified employees as leaders in the community . 3 . Happier employees . When employees are happier , they are more loyal and less likely to look for a new job . That means less resources needed for job searches to replace those that leave , and less time needed to onboard new employees . 4 . Higher productivity . Boosted productivity results in more efficient teams and improves an organization ’ s bottom line . 5 . More up-to-date employees . The continuing education component of certification programs keeps employees current with new technologies that save time and money . 6 . Better efficiency and lower risk . Certification is a recognizable commitment to excellence and competency . According to Risktek , a risk management consulting firm , “ By investing in people and focusing on the competency to carry out both routine and non-routine tasks , companies can build in considerable resilience to the risks they face and thus better prevent , deal with and recover from adversity .” Fields and facilities that are certified and managed by a CSFM provide the safest surfaces possible for athletes . 7 . Leadership development . Certification builds leadership traits including confidence , which develops future leaders and projects trustworthiness to those within and outside of the organization .
46 SportsField Management | June 2021 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com