Athletic Field Maintenance Jobs in Delaware (NOW HIRING)

This posting is for a full-time Skilled Craftsman/ Maintenance Groundskeeper position for the Caesar Rodney School District.

QUALIFICATIONS:         

• High school diploma or equivalent required; coursework or certification in turf management, horticulture, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in grounds maintenance, athletic field management, or a related role.
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record; ability to operate grounds maintenance equipment including mowers, tractors, and snow plows.
• Working knowledge of turf management practices, fertilizer and pesticide application, and irrigation systems.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Delaware Pesticide Applicator License within a specified timeframe.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends during athletic seasons.

REPORTS TO: Supervisor of Facilities Management
JOB GOAL: 

The Groundskeeper for Athletic Fields & Facilities is responsible for the comprehensive maintenance, preparation, and upkeep of all athletic fields and outdoor facilities at Caesar Rodney High School, including natural turf baseball and softball fields, a practice field, and two artificial turf game fields. This position also serves as a district-wide coordinator, working collaboratively with three middle school buildings to ensure consistent grounds maintenance standards, mowing schedules, and field painting practices across the district.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES: 

General Responsibilities:

• Responds to work orders issued by Supervisor in a timely fashion.
• Contacts outside contractor/vendor for repairs when necessary for approved work orders.
• Assist maintenance team with district wide snow/ice removal and other maintenance work orders.
• If assigned, the successful candidate will maintain a district vehicle to assure safe operation.
• Must respond to emergency calls outside of normal business hours in a reasonable amount of time.
• Report all potential problems to the Supervisor of Facilities Management or designee.
• Provide technical assistance to custodians at all facilities to enhance district-wide preventive maintenance.
• Report any safety violations to the building principal when observed while working in the facility.
• Utilize and maintain appropriate safety equipment for any tasks which requires such.
• Maintain and secure district tools in an appropriate manner.
• Makes recommendations of supplies and equipment to be purchased by the district.
• Ensure all field surfaces meet safety and playability standards prior to practices and competitions.
• All other duties as required by Supervisor or designee.

Natural Turf Athletic Field Maintenance Responsibilities (Caesar Rodney High School):

• Perform all routine and seasonal maintenance of natural turf athletic fields.
• Execute regular mowing, edging, and field grooming to maintain professional playing surfaces.
• Conduct comprehensive game day and pre-game field preparation including dragging, lining, and chalking.
• Apply fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides in accordance with turf management best practices and applicable regulations.
• Manage irrigation systems and monitor soil moisture to ensure optimal turf health.
• Oversee seeding, aerating, topdressing, and other turf renovation activities as needed.

Artificial Turf Fields:

• Oversee routine maintenance and inspection of two artificial turf game fields.
• Coordinate professional servicing and repairs of artificial turf surfaces as needed.

District-Wide Coordination:

• Serve as the grounds maintenance coordinator for Caesar Rodney middle school facilities.
• Assist buildings in developing and maintaining consistent mowing schedules and field painting programs.
• Provide guidance and support to building-level staff on grounds equipment operation and maintenance best practices.
• Conduct regular site visits to assess property/grounds conditions and ensure district-wide quality standards are met.

Seasonal & Year-Round Duties:

• Perform early spring start-up and late fall winterization of irrigation systems, including clearing and blowing out irrigation lines and establishing irrigation schedules.
• Prepare and properly store grounds maintenance equipment at the end of the season.
• Conduct end-of-season maintenance and inspection of nets, goals, fencing, and outdoor athletic equipment.
• Participate as an active member of the district snow removal team, including snow plowing and ice management.

Planning & Coordination:

• Meet with district buildings annually to review needs and develop a comprehensive landscape maintenance plan.
• Coordinate scheduling of turf treatments, field preparations, and capital improvement tasks with athletic and facilities staff.
• Maintain accurate records of chemical applications, equipment maintenance logs, and field condition reports.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Supervisor of Facilities or designee.
• Collaborate with Maintenance and Custodial Foremen on district needs.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires extended periods of outdoor physical activity in varying weather conditions. Duties include frequent lifting, bending, and operating heavy equipment. The employee must be able to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted and work safely in environments that may involve loud equipment, extreme temperatures and require the usage of lawn and turf management chemicals.

SALARY:  In accordance with the State of Delaware and local salary schedules, based on experience and degree. Benefits package included. 
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• Individuals must provide official high school transcripts, updated resume, and three (3) letters of recommendation.
• All persons employed by the Caesar Rodney School District are required to submit a criminal background check and a tuberculosis test.
• Anyone offered employment is required to provide the following:  proper identification (Social Security Card and Driver's License), documentation of eligibility for employment in the U.S.A., completion of I-9 form, and completion of paperwork for the Delaware Child Protection Registry.

ADA ACCOMMODATIONS DISCLOSURE: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Caesar Rodney School District is required to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship. Qualified employees must have the requisite skills, experience, education, and licenses for the job, and must also be able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations.
The Caesar Rodney School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment or educational programs, services or activities based on race, color, religion, national origin, veteran or marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation genetic identity, or genetic information in accordance with state or federal laws.  Inquiries about compliance should be made to the Title IX, District 504 and ADA Compliance Officers:  Paul L. Dunbar Administration Building, 7 Front Street, Wyoming, DE 19934.  Phone (302) 698-4800.