Assistant Groundskeeper

Assistant Groundskeeper role at Chicago Bears

Base pay range: $70,000.00/yr - $80,000.00/yr

Title: Assistant Groundskeeper
Department: Grounds
Reports To: Head Groundskeeper
Manages People: No

The Chicago Bears are seeking an Assistant Groundskeeper for our headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois. This position will ensure all playing surfaces—indoor and outdoor at both our headquarters and the stadium—comply with NFL safety and playability standards. Duties include comprehensive field care, vendor contract management, budgeting, and support of team practices.

• Regular Grounds Maintenance:
  Prepare fields for practices and games, paint field markings, and manage weather‑related challenges; maintain campus grounds through mowing, fertilizing, watering, and turf repair.
• Field Care Planning:
  Develop and implement field care plans under the Head Groundskeeper, including irrigation programming, moisture management, heat tracking, and scheduling adjustments.
• Fertilization and Pesticide Programming:
  Oversee programs for all practice fields—product selection, ordering, and application.
• Cultural Practices and Management:
  Collaborate to implement field and campus‑wide practices such as mowing, top‑dressing, painting, over‑seeding, sod inspections, installations, and aeration.
• Mandatory Field Testing:
  Conduct and document league‑wide mandatory testing (moisture, surface hardness, shear strength, infill depth).
• Game Day Operations:
  Support the stadium grounds crew on game days to ensure optimal field conditions and safety.
• Painting Practice Fields/Designs:
  Run GPS painter, hash marks, and special designs with coaching staff each year.
• Field Rotations/Practice Support:
  Ensure sleds and equipment are correctly positioned each day and assist at practice as needed.
• Training Camp & Events:
  Support on‑campus events related to grounds operations, including guidance, recommendations, and event setup such as bleachers and gravel paths.
• Maintenance Oversight:
  Proficient handling of equipment—whackers, forklifts, other machines, and pick‑up truck.
• Vendor Management:
  Assist with vendor service fulfillment, support RFP processes, and work with legal to ensure contract compliance.
• Schedule Management:
  Collaborate with football operations on practice field rotation plans for all practices, OTAs, and training camp.
• Annual Budget Process:
  Assist in budget analysis, cost forecasting, and multi‑year capital planning; support campus maintenance duties such as snow removal and landscaping projects.
• Field Care Records:
  Maintain accurate logs of irrigation, fertilization, and pest management activities.
• Professional Development:
  Participate in training and industry trends to stay current with best practices.
• Health & Safety:
  Comply with all health and safety regulations.
• Administrative Tasks:
  Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Turf Management and Science preferred or SFMA certification with 5+ years of relevant trade experience.
• Knowledge and experience operating heavy‑duty machinery—mowers, aerators, forklifts, irrigation systems.
• Forklift certification or ability to obtain certification within 3 months.
• Capacity to regularly lift 50+ lbs., stand, walk, bend, push, pull, stoop, kneel, and climb in varying weather for extended periods.
• Valid driver’s license with no more than 2 violations in a 3‑year window.
• Strong computer skills—Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams.
• Discretion in handling privacy and confidentiality of club business.
• Independence, proactive problem‑solving, and reasoning skills.
• Collaborative service approach, teamwork, attention to detail, and commitment to process improvement.
• Organization, flexibility, and adaptability to weather and game schedules.
• Professional demeanor and strong communication skills.
• Availability for non‑traditional hours—early morning, evenings, weekends, holidays.

• Core Coverage: 100% paid premium for healthcare, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid FMLA including paternity leave.
• Investments:
  Employer‑paid pension plan, 401(k) with matching.
• Time to Recharge:
  Minimum 10 paid vacation days, 5 paid sick/mental…