Athletic Field Specialist III

This position performs maintenance and upkeep of athletic fields, facilities, and specialty parks. Accomplishes skilled and specialized work in the following areas: irrigation, turf maintenance and management, lining/painting of athletic fields, chemical spray application, pest identification, and equipment operation. Provides exceptional customer service to patrons of facilities.  This position reports to the Athletic Field Supervisor.

• Performs field maintenance duties including irrigation monitoring, repairs and renovation, irrigation pump and booster pump systems, irrigation controller scheduling and operation, chemical application and documentation for weed and pest control and fertilization, turf aerating, mowing, vertical cutting, weed abatement, top dressing and other duties as required.
• Performs proper maintenance techniques to ensure safe, playable surface including maintaining infield skin, infield lips, baselines, warning tracks, pitching mounds and home plate areas. Includes regular dragging, screen dragging, watering, mowing, edging, and trimming as required or as scheduled. 
• Paints and marks fields, sets bases and pitching mounds under applicable rules and specified dimensions. Provides set-up and cleaning of facilities for practices, games, tournaments, and events.     Performs general ground’s maintenance, repair and janitorial duties of fields, fencing, common areas, amenities, parking lots and other areas.
• Operates special equipment in the maintenance, repair and renovation of athletic facilities including but not limited to:     Versa Vacs, top dressers, drum rollers, sod cutters, aerators, tractors, trenchers, commercial chemical spray equipment, etc.
• Conducts and completes reports for inspections of athletic facilities to ensure the safety of the public. Reports and removes potential safety hazards or maintenance issues to supervisor for follow up as necessary.
• Ensures safety of the assigned personnel and workplace in compliance with mandated federal and state governmental regulations.
• Assists with planning and implementing of the budget and annual renovation projects.
• Performs weekly/monthly irrigation system testing, maintenance, repairs, programming, and adjustments to irrigation systems.
• Performs basic administrative duties including memos, work orders, inspections, reports, daily logs, and electronic correspondence.
• Utilizes Integrated Pest Management Techniques in the cultivation of natural turf surfaces and landscapes in a southern growing environment. Applies chemicals and fertilizers in accordance with State of Florida regulations/laws. When dealing with continuous or predictable pests, takes appropriate preventative measures to control plant damage.
• Oversees and participates in the preparation and application of a variety of fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and other pest and disease eradication and control chemicals as necessary.
• Manages the safe handling, storage, and application of fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides, ensuring proper calibration on chemical sprayers and granular spreaders.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed.   Employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned, including City-directed work assignments in the event of a declared emergency.)

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, tools, and practices used in athletic field maintenance and construction.  Including the proper use and application of herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, irrigation systems and other aspects of turf care. 
• Extensive knowledge of irrigation system maintenance and repair.
• Extensive knowledge for the proper use of chemicals for athletic fields.  
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. 
• Ability to read and follow written instructions and understand oral instructions.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards, safety precautions, and safety regulations related to recreational activities and other work-related precautions. 
• Ability to read and understand labels and follow guidelines and application procedures.  
• Ability to utilize an iPad and related software to effectively complete work orders and communicate via email.
• Set up recurring work orders for irrigation inspections and chemical applications etc.
• Ability to work with customers in a courteous, efficient, and tactful manner.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and professional relationships with employees at all levels, representatives from all departments, organizations, and the public.   
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to understand, analyze, and evaluate situations and exercises good judgment to make appropriate decisions.  

Education and Experience:

• Possession of a High School Diploma or its equivalent.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in athletic field maintenance, irrigation technician, chemical applicator technician, or closely related field.    

(A comparable amount of relevant training, education and/or experience may be substituted for the above qualifications.)

Licenses and Certifications:

• Must possess a valid State of Florida Driver’s License by date of hire. 

• Must obtain a Florida CDL license within six (6) months of employment.

·         Must obtain a Florida Ornamental and Turf License issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture within six (6) months of employment.

• May be required to obtain a Florida Public or Commercial Applicator Spray License.

• An acceptable general background check to include a local, state, and sex offender criminal history check.  

Emergency Response Responsibility

Every City employee has emergency response responsibilities, though not every position will require routine assignments during an emergency event.  All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official job description. Assignments in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature, with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically and operationally challenging conditions.

Hiring Range Statement

Please note, the hiring pay range for this position is the minimum up to a rate equal to or less than the midpoint of the salary range.

Veterans Preference Statement

The City of Nort Port, FL is an Affirmative Action/ADA/Veterans’ Preference and Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities are Encouraged to Apply.

Salary : $22 - $29