Athletic Field Specialist

About Augustana College

Augustana College is a nationally recognized college of the liberal arts and sciences dedicated to investing in engaged learning, maximizing student potential, and strengthening community partnerships - the guiding priorities of our Bold & Boundless Strategic Plan (2024-29). For our 2,500 students from all backgrounds, Augustana provides a transformative experience that integrates rigorous academics, hands-on learning and mentorship to prepare graduates for meaningful careers and lifelong success.

The college's scenic, wooded campus is located in Rock Island, Illinois, part of the Quad-Cities metro area (pop. 470,000) along the Mississippi River, about a 3-hour drive from Chicago. At Augustana, we seek innovative and student-centered professionals who are excited to contribute to our strategic goals of empowering students through engaged learning, leadership development and real-world experiences.

Employees at Augustana enjoy an excellent benefit package including medical, retirement, generous paid time off, tuition benefits for employees and their family members, and much more.

Job Title: Athletic Field Specialist - Grounds

Wage Grade: 710

Status: Full-time, Non-exempt position - 12 month work schedule

Reports to: Grounds Manager

Overview: Under general direction of the Grounds Manager the Athletic Field Specialist oversees the daily maintenance of all Augustana athletic playing surfaces, turf areas and general grounds. During winter months, the incumbent will be assigned to Groundskeeper duties to assist with overall campus maintenance and snow removal. This position requires specialized knowledge of both natural and synthetic athletic turf maintenance.

Primary Duties:

• Maintain natural and synthetic athletic fields throughout the Athletic Department. Re-groom and rebuild, when necessary, pitcher's mounds, including clay repair; make soil amendments; drag and groom infield areas; inspect and maintain proper playing field levels to minimize lips; and apply appropriate materials as needed.
• Groom synthetic fields, including topdressing, raking and redistributing rubber infill, and spot sanitizing.
• Preferred previous experience with the maintenance and operation of large-scale irrigation systems.
• Set up and break down playing surfaces for practices, home games, and other athletic events.
• Perform turf maintenance operations on all campus turf, including but not limited to mowing, trimming, aerating, fertilizing, and weed control.
• Assist Groundskeepers with maintaining campus grounds and facilities.
• Assist with facility preparation, setup, and cleanup for departmental events.
• Collect and properly dispose of outdoor trash and recyclable materials.
• Maintain appropriate inventory of supplies and materials and oversee scheduled maintenance of equipment with assistance from the Motorpool Technician.
• Utilize equipment, tools, and chemicals in a safe and responsible manner, consistent with training, established safety procedures, and manufacturers' recommendations.
• Operate large motorized equipment, including 40 HP tractors, skid steers, all-terrain vehicles, forklifts, aerial lifts, and applicable attachments, to complete routine and specialized job assignments.
• Ensure that campus community members receive quality service and timely responses to requests.
• Identify, evaluate, and communicate issues that require additional attention and coordinate appropriate follow-up to ensure timely resolution.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Grounds and Athletic Departments.

Additional Duties:

• Works with other campus community members and leaders on special projects.
• Oversees student workers as assigned ensuring high productivity and professional behavior.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills & Experience:

• 3-5 years of experience working with college, school district, golf course, or professional-level sports fields.
• Demonstrated ability to calculate fertilizer and chemical application rates.
• Experience operating specialized turf equipment, such as sprayers, spreaders, aerators, mowers, blowers, edgers, and similar equipment.
• Experience maintaining clay surfaces for baseball and/or softball.
• Knowledge of synthetic turf maintenance is a plus.
• Flexible attitude and willingness to perform all aspects of the job during periods of high workload, emergencies, and/or staffing shortages.
• Proficiency in using a computer to communicate and complete work-related tasks.
• Ability to work with limited supervision, work effectively independently, and contribute as part of a team.
• Currently possess a State of Illinois Pesticide License or ability to obtain one within 120 days of hire.
• Valid driver's license and clean Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) required.

Education: High School Diploma or GED and 3-5 years of experience in athletic field and/or golf course maintenance required. Degree or certification in Turf Management, Sports Field Management, or a related field preferred.

Additional Information:

Pay and Benefits: This position is budgeted to pay $15.00 per hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support the needs of employees. Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive range of benefits including:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts
• Life insurance, disability insurance, and supplemental insurance programs
• Retirement plan with a generous company contribution
• Excellent paid time off/holiday benefits
• Tuition benefits for employees and their family members
• Access to company facilities (gym, pool, health center, etc.)
• You can learn more about our benefit programs at our Benefits website.

Work Environment: This position operates primarily outdoors and requires exposure to extreme heat, cold, and varying weather conditions. The ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions is essential to performing the duties of this position.

Work Hours: This position is considered essential to the operations of the College. As such, the incumbent is expected to report to work even when the College is closed due to severe weather or other emergency conditions.

The incumbent must be available and prepared to report to work with very short notice, as operational needs may arise at any time of day or night. An on-call rotation with irregular and variable hours will be required during various times of the year to meet the operational demands of the College.

Physical Demand: The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Must be able to regularly lift and carry up to 50 pounds unassisted with the ability to position, maneuver and transport objects weighing up to 100 pounds using proper material handling equipment and team-lift procedures.
• Must be able to frequently push and pull heavy machinery and equipment.
• Must be able to listen, hear, speak, read, and write effectively.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, kneel, and stand for extended periods of time.
• Must possess sufficient finger and hand dexterity to safely and effectively operate small tools and equipment.
• Requires frequent walking and climbing of stairs, as well as occasional work from ladders.
• A College-provided uniform is required and must be worn as directed.
• Steel-toed footwear is required while performing job duties. College assisted payment plan

Expected hours of work: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Additional hours and schedule adjustments may be required during inclement weather or as operational needs dictate.

Travel: Extensive travel throughout campus is expected, as this position requires frequent movement between multiple on-campus locations throughout the workday. Travel may cover a campus area within an approximately three-mile radius.

EEO Statement: Augustana is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is Augustana College's policy to provide equal opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability and any other category protected by federal, state or local law.

Note: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities are subject to change at any time with or without notice.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and names of 3 references. Review of applications will begin immediately. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.