Sports Field Technician | Council Bluffs

Sports Field Technician | City of Council Bluffs

Summary: Performs highly skilled technical and diagnostic work in the maintenance and repair of tournament quality athletic fields, their grounds, and their turf.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Ensures proper care and maintenance of athletic turf:

• Inspects athletic turf daily identifying conditions requiring mowing, watering, treatment of insects/fungus/diseases, damage from player use, etc. and initiates appropriate action to address any turf conditions identified
• Determines chemical treatments, mixes, and applies herbicides/pesticides/fungicides as necessary and evaluates results
• Monitors the amount of turf chemicals and other treatment materials on hand; reports findings to Parks & Recreation Supervisor; and orders materials as necessary
• Operates and maintains grounds/turf equipment such as tractors, riding mowers, trucks, snow plows, spreaders, sprayers, and aerators
• Operates/manages irrigation systems making repairs as necessary o Lays out playing fields to correct dimensions
• Assists Parks & Recreation Supervisor in providing turf improvements including planning and construction
• Mows athletic fields and other park areas in aesthetically pleasing patterns utilizing high quality mowers

Ensures proper care and maintenance of ball diamond infield areas:

• Inspects playing infields including grass and argi lime/mixed dirt infields to determine maintenance needs for upcoming play, practice, or off-season maintenance
• Determines maintenance needs for artificial mounds, clay mounds, and batter’s boxes
• Initiates appropriate action to address playing field conditions which may include grading, dragging, watering, addressing indentations, mowing, lining, and installing bases/plates
• Evaluates the daily play schedule and sets up the infields accordingly
• Assists Parks & Recreation Supervisor in providing infield related improvements to include planning & operation of specialized equipment
• Performs minor repairs to field fencing, backstops, benches, bleachers, and other amenities

Maintains effective working relationships with other City staff, users, and the public:

• Discusses field availability and field conditions with Parks & Recreation Supervisor and other department staff to aid in decisions regarding scheduling, field usage, and playability
• Interacts with the public and tournament/league officials regarding field conditions
• Interacts with other staff regarding condition of playing facilities as they effect public use
• Responds to questions and complaints from the public regarding field conditions as directed
• Provides oversight to work of full-time employees, part-time employees, and seasonal employees when participating in turf and field preparation and facility related improvement projects
• Consults with Parks & Recreation Supervisor when available and makes independent decisions when necessary

Regular and predictable attendance is required

Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly supervises a small crew of employees within the Parks & Recreation Department to include seasonal employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints; and resolving problems.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or

Experience:

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED)
• Two (2) years of college with an emphasis in Turf Management, Plant Science, or related area
• Two (2) years of experience in sports field related maintenance with progressively responsible experience
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and…