Description
POSITION TITLE: Sports Turf Superintendent
REPORTS TO: Parks and Facilities Assistant
SUPERVISES: Seasonal Staff
PURPOSE OF POSITION: Responsible for various maintenance and operational activities in the operation of the City's athletic fields.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Plans, directs and supervises the maintenance, repair and construction of City-owned athletic fields and associated facilities therewith. Schedules and assigns work associated with athletic field management.
Responsible for training and supervising seasonal staff associated with athletic field maintenance.
Oversees the purchasing, maintenance and repair of equipment used on sports fields and the specifying and purchasing of all products and services.
Renders professional advice, opinions, assistance, and services to the Parks and Facilities Director and various user groups as needed.
Responsible for the application of chemicals used for weed and/or insect control, fertilization, etc.; ensures the proper and safe use.
Provides input to the Parks and Facilities Director in the preparation of the sports turf portion of the Parks and Facilities Department's annual budget.
Responsible for the safe and efficient operation of various equipment, skills, and techniques according to departmental policies and procedures.
Operates a variety of hand and power tools and equipment including but not limited to sprayers, push mowers, riding mowers, string line trimmers, fertilizers, sprinklers, chainsaws, front-end loaders, skid loaders, etc., in the performance of job duties.
Responsible for chemical handling through the application and storage of the chemicals and equipment used for weed and/or insect control, fertilization, etc.; supervises and directs employees in the control of diseases, weeds, pests, etc. to ensure proper and safe use.
Prepares various reports and records pertaining to the duties performed such as chemical applications, equipment maintenance, expenses, etc.; ensures that all necessary forms and documents are maintained in accordance with proper regulations; notifies law enforcement authorities of violations of City rules and regulations for athletic fields and surrounding areas, as well as other administration functions as required.
Work is performed independently, and decisions are made as guided and directed by the Parks and Facilities Director. The employee must be aware of and understand City policies and procedures. Shall also be familiar with rules and regulations of City-operated athletic sites.
Ensures the maintenance of a safe work environment for all employees throughout the City's athletic fields and facilities by training and monitoring employees in the safe and efficient operation of various equipment, skills and techniques.
Establishes and maintains positive public relations with the general public, other employees, other governmental agencies and municipal officials.
Responsible for the general preventative maintenance and repair of turf grass equipment, such as mowers, string line trimmers, fertilizers, sprayers, etc., by direction of the supervisor.
Attends various departmental meetings and seminars, as needed.
Participates in all master planning meetings relating to outdoor athletic facilities.
Operates standard office equipment in the performance of duties, i.e. copier, fax machine, personal computer, calculator, etc.
Sports Turf Superintendent will support and assist the Building and Grounds Maintenance Worker with snow removal activities during inclement winter weather.
This position requires the employee to be physically present at the workplace to fully engage with the team and participate actively in all aspects of their role.
MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required by the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned.
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY:
Knowledge of various chemicals and fertilizers and the ability to apply the methods and techniques used in their application.
Knowledge of and ability to apply federal, state and local laws and regulations related to grounds maintenance for City-owned athletic fields, facilities and recreation areas.
Knowledge of and ability to operate tools and equipment utilized in the care and maintenance of City-owned athletic fields, facilities and recreation areas.
Knowledge of the equipment, materials, supplies, procedures and practices utilized in athletic field maintenance activities and minor repairs.
Knowledge of and the ability to train personnel in the occupational hazards and safety precautions of grounds care and maintenance.
Knowledge of and ability to learn and perform input and retrieval functions utilizing a variety of computer programs dealing with word processing, spreadsheets and databases.
Knowledge and ability to perform accurate mathematical calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, using a calculator or manually.
Knowledge of the geography of the city.
Knowledge of precautions necessary to work safely with and around automotive and mechanical equipment in order to promote a safe working environment.
Knowledge of City responsibilities and ability to use independent judgment in the performance of duties.
Ability to learn the materials and supplies, and operate tools and equipment utilized in the maintenance of athletic turf, grasses and soils to promote healthy and safe playing surfaces.
Ability to assign, direct and supervise the work of seasonal staff.
Ability to operate vehicles, machinery, equipment and tools pertaining to duties performed.
Ability to accurately prepare and maintain various reports and other departmental documents.
Ability to deal with the general public in a courteous and tactful manner.
Ability to perform job duties efficiently while managing frequent interruptions.
Ability to plan and organize a personal work schedule, set priorities and meet deadlines.
Ability to understand and follow specific work orders, verbal or written.
Ability to operate standard office equipment.
Ability to understand and follow both oral and written instructions.
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, in English.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, other employees, and municipal officials.
Ability to maintain regular and dependable attendance on the job, including attendance and job performance for possibly prolonged periods of time when called out on short notice due to weather conditions, emergencies and similar situations of public necessity.
ESSENTIAL EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND/OR LICENSES:

1. Must possess a valid driver's license, commercial driver's license preferred.
2. Must possess an Associate's Degree and/or successful completion of sixty (60) semester credit hours from an accredited college or university with major work in athletic field maintenance or related field within two (2) years of employment.
3. Must obtain a Nebraska Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator Certification within six (6) months of employment. Must maintain certification as required.
4. Must have two (2) years of experience in the maintenance of athletic field and turf grass culture.
5. Must be bondable.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work is generally performed outdoors and requires a considerable amount of physical activity including walking, standing, kneeling, bending, crouching, reaching, stooping and climbing.
The incumbent must have the ability to transport themselves to and from various locations throughout the city. Duties require the ability to tolerate an indoor and outdoor work environment, which includes contact with dirt, dust, chemicals, pesticides, noise, and inclement weather conditions.
An incumbent must have the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. on a regular basis and must possess the coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate hand and power tools and equipment utilized in the upkeep, repair and maintenance tasks. Must also possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull heavy equipment and tools. Work hours may occasionally be required in times of darkness. Vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in high/precarious places and is occasionally fumes or airborne particles, toxic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level may be moderate to intense depending on activity performed.
Work requires extensive interaction with the general public and may be stressful when dealing with irate citizens.
Requirements
ESSENTIAL EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND/OR LICENSES:

1. Must possess a valid driver's license, commercial driver's license preferred.
2. Must possess an Associate's Degree and/or successful completion of sixty (60) semester credit hours from an accredited college or university with major work in athletic field maintenance or related field within two (2) years of employment.
3. Must obtain a Nebraska Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator Certification within six (6) months of employment. Must maintain certification as required.
4. Must have two (2) years of experience in the maintenance of athletic field and turf grass culture.
5. Must be bondable.