CLASS SUMMARY:

Incumbents perform routine to complex maintenance, preparation, and construction of athletic fields. Responsibilities include planning and overseeing athletic grounds and field renovation projects, as well as developing and managing budgets related to athletic grounds and field maintenance. The incumbent also assumes responsibility for managing and maintaining sports facilities which may include natural and synthetic fields, field management equipment, irrigation systems, and sports field lighting.

TYPICAL CLASS ESSENTIAL DUTIES (These duties are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.)

• Develop and implement plans for the successful maintenance of all athletic fields.
• Plan, oversee, and manage athletic grounds and facilities renovation projects, to include those performed by outside contractors.
• Manages staff to include: prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff are trained; ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
• Develop and manage budgets related to athletic facilities including annual and capital improvement budgets.
• Oversees the purchasing, maintenance, and repair of equipment used on sports fields and the specifying and purchasing of all products and services.
• Communicates with stakeholders of the athletic fields regarding scheduling for usage and maintenance.
• Keeps accurate and complete records of inventory, maintenance procedures and schedules, facility usage, chemical applications, weather data, etc.
• May assist with non-sports field-related park projects during the offseason.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Typical Qualifications

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (positions in this class typically require): Associates degree in Turf Management or related field and three years of experience in athletic field maintenance, including one year of supervisory experience, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS (positions in this class typically require):

Licensing Requirements:

• Valid Driver’s License
• Pesticide Applicator Certification or the ability to obtain certification within six (6) months of hire
• Certified Sports Field Manager preferred

KNOWLEDGE (position requirements at entry):

Knowledge of:

• Materials, methods, practices, and equipment used in athletic field maintenance;
• Supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control;
• Advanced athletic field resodding, regrading, aerifying, and topdressing procedures, techniques, and standards;
• Advanced knowledge of agronomy and environmental turfgrass management practices including pest/disease/weed management;
• Soil chemistry;
• Sports field construction principles, practices, and methods;
• Sports governing body requirements for field layout and marking;
• Current federal, state, and local laws and regulations affecting the management and operation of athletic fields and facilities
• Safe handling, application, and storage of fertilizers, pesticides, and related athletic turf chemicals and materials;
• Types and level of maintenance and repair activities generally performed in athletic field maintenance;
• Operations and maintenance requirements of equipment used in athletic field maintenance activities;
• Occupational hazards and safety precautions;
• Recordkeeping principles;
• Supervisory principles.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES (position requirements at entry):

Skill and Ability in:

• Ability to be autonomous, prioritize workday, multitask, and be detail-oriented;
• Ability to install, calibrate, operate, and maintain athletic field irrigation systems and equipment;
• Skilled in working independently or in a team environment;
• Advanced ability in problem-solving and decision-making;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to apply pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals in a safe manner;
• Skill and ability to build and maintain a positive working relationship with athletic facility stakeholders;
• Skill and ability to operate and maintain grounds maintenance and repair equipment;
• Ability to operate a variety of landscaping tools and equipment including loaders, topdressers, aerifiers, verti-seeders, tractors, broadcast seeders, chemical sprayers, mowers, trenchers, and power tools such as blowers, weed eaters, and chainsaws
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Positions in this class typically require: reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, pushing, pulling, lifting, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifting, pushing, and pulling objects in excess of 50 pounds frequently Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, chemicals, electrical currents, dust, oils, fumes, loud noises, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, and travel.

NOTE:   The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.