Athletic Field Specialist

 

Job: Athletic Field Specialist  

Department: Sports Field

Job Type: Full-Time, Year-Round; 40 hours per week; weekends and holidays required, overtime when required; Non-Exempt 

Pay Range: $27.00-30.00 per hour

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package 60 days following date of hire (health insurance, paid time off, free parking on site etc.)

Work Location: Randall’s Island Park, New York, NY 10035

 

The Athletic Field Specialist will report to the Director of Grounds and Sports Field Manager and will work with other members of the Sports Field crew to maintain the playing surfaces of 60+ athletic playing fields at Randall’s Island Park. The position will primarily focus on the maintenance of the natural grass, multi-sport athletic fields and will assist with the upkeep of ballfields and the Kentucky bluegrass, sand-based regulation soccer pitch at Icahn Stadium, as needed. The position is responsible for performing specialized maintenance, assessing field conditions, troubleshooting maintenance issues, carrying out special projects and keeping the Director and Manager updated. This position offers a unique opportunity to maintain fields of various playing surfaces and levels across a 330-acre park in New York City. 

 

•Implement and build upon the turf plan for the athletic playing fields at the park, under the direction of the Director of Grounds and Sports Field Manager.  

•Perform specialized maintenance on the athletic fields throughout the park, with a focus on natural grass soccer and lacrosse fields. 

•Perform daily and seasonal field maintenance activities including field layouts, dimensions, mowing, seeding, fertilizing, watering, leveling, laying sod, removing debris, and rolling, alongside the Sports Field crew. 

•Responsible for lining athletic playing fields.

•Routinely observe athletic fields, troubleshoot issues and provide routine maintenance. 

•Regularly update the Director and Manager regarding field conditions and serve as a point of communication between crew members and department management.

•Maintain timely communication regarding work-related matters including regularly reviewing and responding to emails, participating in meetings with Management and Specialists and providing requested information. 

•Assist with a variety of projects, especially sod projects.

•Apply knowledge and assess conditions of synthetic turf field general maintenance and repairs. 

•Operate hand tools such as various hoes, rakes, tampers, and shovels.

•Operate small equipment such as walk and riding lawnmowers, weed whackers, vibratory tamps, sod cutters, edgers and backpack leaf blowers.

•Operate large equipment such as motorized utility vehicles, tractors, and skid steers.

•Ensure all equipment is secured and well-maintained, including washing, greasing, fueling, and arranging for service of equipment.

•Perform other general tasks as assigned.

 

 

•Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in professional turf or athletic field maintenance, such as golf course, stadiums, ball fields, soccer fields, or similar high-quality playing surfaces. 

•Advanced knowledge of and ability to assist with projects pertaining to the soccer fields which can include field renovations, sod removal, sod installation, irrigation install, repair/adjustments, aeration, seeding, and drainage.

•Knowledge of and ability to safely use hand tools that are essential to soccer field maintenance such as rakes, tampers, shovels, specialized tools such as compactions testers, soil moisture meters and shear test tools.

•Ability to operate equipment that is essential to maintaining a safe and enjoyable playing surface such as weed whackers, mowers and edgers.

•Knowledge of and ability to safely operate large equipment such as motorized utility vehicles, tractors, skid steers and corresponding attachments and implements routinely used to assist in cultural practices and field renovations. 

•Knowledge of synthetic turf field general maintenance and repair.

•Knowledge of various field dimensions and playing formats. 

•Ability to line fields and knowledge of lining material. 

•Excellent attention to detail. 

•Knowledge of various field and soil amendments and their appropriate use and application. 

•Excellent organizational skills, strong work ethic, desire to excel and willingness to learn. 

•Possess problem solving and adaptive decision-making skills to help maintain fields.

•Ability to collaborate, communicate well, and create positive working relationships.

•Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 

•Ability to shift priorities and focus, when needed. 

•Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, occasional evenings, overtime, etc. 

•Ability to work outdoors in all different types of weather, under strenuous conditions. 

•Ability to perform physical labor; must be able to lift 50lbs. 

•Valid Driver License.

 

•Formal training, certificate or education in turf management, agronomy, sports field management, horticulture or a related field. 

•Materials applications experience.

•Experience with irrigation systems. 

•Pesticide license.

•Fluency in Spanish.