What are the responsibilities and job description for the Head Groundskeeper position at Chicago Dogs Baseball?
The Head Groundskeeper is responsible for repairing and maintaining the stadium’s playing surface and its surrounding components as a safe, first-class baseball field by performing daily turf, dirt and water management; game preparation as well as short and long-term maintenance planning.
Primary duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Oversee the preparation of the playing field for baseball related and special event activity as well as facilitate the set-up/breakdown of all necessary baseball equipment for each.
- Manage all field prep including, but not limited to, turf management, fertilization and disease control, edging, mound and plate prep, warning track maintenance, and infield playing surface maintenance.
- Facilitate the infield tarp while monitoring weather conditions to ensure playability and player safety.
- Perform post-game field and turf maintenance as necessary.
- Operate and maintain all equipment in a safe manner and keep in excellent working condition.
- Prepare and carry out an off-season field/turf maintenance program as well as stadium shut down and winterization.
- Assist the Operations Department with stadium operation tasks that relate to the general upkeep and cleanliness of the ball park.
- Effectively manage a budge as assigned by Management that will include, but will not be limited to, supplies, equipment and game day personnel’s wages.
- Hire, schedule, train, and manage all interns and part-time game day field staff.
- Develop a relationship with home and visiting managers to coordinate pre-game batting practice and attend to any specific needs, if possible.
- Maintain a positive relationship with umpires.
- Other duties as assigned by Management.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Two-year turf degree preferred or related experience in sports turf management.