Athletic Field Specialist

Bentley University; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 3,871,000 - 4,959,000; Full time

Job summary

Bentley University seeks a Grounds Maintenance position responsible for athletic fields and tennis courts, landscaping, and related grounds tasks on campus. You will operate a range of ground-keeping machinery, manage irrigation, and support campus events throughout the year.

The role requires extensive experience, proper licensing, and the ability to work evenings or weekends as needed. They offer a unionized environment with competitive compensation and safety-focused operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience in athletic field prep and maintenance with experience using the required equipment.
• Must be physically able to perform the essential duties of the position as described.
• Must hold, or acquire within one year, a commercial Massachusetts applicator's pesticide license and hoisting license (10-ft or 500-lbs) 2-A at a minimum.
• Must hold, or acquire within 60 days, a DOT card.
• Must be able to read, write and interpret documents in English.
• Must be able to effectively interact and communicate with co-workers and supervisors.
• Must be available for emergency call-in situations; overtime may be required.
• Must hold and maintain a valid, unrestricted United States driver's license, with insurable driving history.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and maintains athletic fields and tennis courts for events; maintains synthetic field and designated landscape areas.
• Coordinates maintenance schedules with Athletic coaches.
• Maintains grounds areas: mowing, weeding, field grooming, seeding, fertilization, trash removal, irrigation control, field markings, and cleanup.
• Operates mechanized equipment: mowers, blowers, weed whackers, rollers, sod cutters, tillers, utility trucks, tractors.
• Controls irrigation systems; sets watering times; winterizes and repairs irrigation as needed.
• Manages care and inventory of field maintenance equipment, materials, sprayers, bases, nets, paints.
• Participates in training to stay current with operational standards.
• Uses and maintains Bentley tools and equipment properly.
• Supports major campus activities (snow removal, orientations, openings/closings, commencements).
• Responds to emergency call-ins and interacts professionally with Bentley community.
• Inputs data into computerized work order system with time and work order details.

Skills

Athletic field maintenance

English literacy

Driver's license

OSHA safety

Pesticide license MA

Hoisting license 2-A

DOT card

Emergency readiness

Education

Related agricultural degree

Tools

Grounds equipment (mowers, tractors)

Job description

Job Description Summary

The physical demands of this position range from LIGHT to MEDIUM- HEAVY. This position involves athletic field and tennis court preparation and maintenance procedures including: field and surface markings, field grooming, lawn mowing, trimming, edging, seeding and fertilization, irrigation control, surface and bleacher clean-up, and trash removal. These are completed in accordance with all applicable OSHA regulations and established schedules and procedures at Bentley University.

The physical demands of this position range from LIGHT to MEDIUM- HEAVY. This position involves athletic field and tennis court preparation and maintenance procedures including: field and surface markings, field grooming, lawn mowing, trimming, edging, seeding and fertilization, irrigation control, surface and bleacher clean-up, and trash removal. These are completed in accordance with all applicable OSHA regulations and established schedules and procedures at Bentley University. Standing, walking, lifting, carrying and reaching are performed on a frequent to constant basis. Bending, pushing, pulling, climbing, kneeling and twisting are performed on an occasional to frequent basis. The heaviest physical demands are required during handling of furniture, heavier equipment, paints, fertilizer, and seed bags, etc. These activities require handling of 25-75 pounds of load resistance on an occasional to frequent basis. Heavier tasks may require the assistance of (2) or more co-workers.

Essential Duties

• Prepares and maintains all athletic fields and tennis courts for events during the appropriate athletic seasons and summer sports camp programs. Maintains the synthetic field; brushes, cleans and marks as needed. Maintains designated landscape areas.
• Works with Athletic coaches to coordinate maintenance schedules around practices and games.
• Maintains all grounds areas such as mowing, weeding, field grooming, seeding, fertilization, trash removal, irrigation control, field marking, and walkway, parking lot, and field bleacher clean-up.
• Operates mechanized equipment such as mowers, blowers, weed whackers, rollers, sod cutters, tillers, utility trucks, and tractors.
• Controls and regulates all athletic field irrigation systems; selects suitable watering times and adjust as necessary; winterizes (blow out) and repairs the irrigation system for all the athletic fields as needed.
• Responsible for care and inventory of all field maintenance equipment, materials, sprayers, bases, nets, and paints.
• Participates in training to keep and acquire knowledge, skills, and abilities to remain current with standard operational practices and revised standards.
• Properly uses and cares for Bentley tools and equipment.
• Provides appropriate support in major campus activities including but not limited to: snow removal, freshman orientation, open house, opening/closing of school, baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate commencement.
• Responds to emergency call-in situations.
• Interacts professionally with members of the Bentley community.
• Inputs data into the computerized work order system, recording time and work order information.

Other Duties

• Assist Grounds employees in all facets of Facilities operations including, but not limited to, furniture moves, responding to work order requests, and snow removal.
• Follows proper clean-up and recycling procedures as well as observes all safety rules and regulations (including OSHA regulations) while handling and/or caring for Bentley tools and equipment, to avoid injury to self and others.
• Reports building damages, malfunctioning equipment, needed maintenance and/or repairs in assigned work areas.
• May be required to assist other trades as directed by Facilities Manager
• May provide ice rink maintenance support seasonally.
• Performs all other related duties necessary to meet Facilities Management requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years experience and general knowledge in the preparation and maintenance of athletic fields, including measuring, marking, and grooming required. Must also have experience in using the equipment necessary to accomplish the task.
• Must be physically able to perform the essential duties of the position as set forth in this Position Content Description Document.
• Must hold, or acquire within one year, a commercial Massachusetts applicator's pesticide license and hoisting license (10-ft or 500-lbs) 2-A at a minimum.
• Must hold, or acquire within 60 days, a DOT card.
• Must be able to read, write and interpret documents in the English language, e.g. safety rules, material safety data sheets (MSDS), operating repair, installation and procedure instruction manuals.
• Must be able to effectively interact and communicate with co-workers and supervisors.
• Must be available for emergency call-in situations. Overtime may be required during certain times of the year.
• Must hold and maintain a valid, unrestricted United States driver's license, with an insurable driving history as determined by Bentley's insurance carrier. May be required to drive a Bentley issued vehicle. Properly uses and cares for Bentley tools, radios and equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Related agricultural degree preferred.

Work Environment

• May be exposed to seasonal temperature extremes, including occasional wet and slippery conditions. Occasionally working near moving mechanical parts is required. Close spaces, working at heights, and climbing both ladders and stairs should also be expected on an occasional to frequent basis. Noise levels may vary from moderate to occasionally high depending on the work situation.
• Safety glasses with side shields, goggles, latex and work gloves, and hearing protection may all be required depending on the job task. Bentley uniforms and safety shoes are required to be worn at all times while working (shoes in compliance with ANSI Z- 41.1).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to squat, kneel and maintain bent postures from 5 minutes up to 10 minutes for a continuous duration, on an occasional to frequent basis.
• Ability to walk on level, uneven and inclined surfaces on a sustained basis and climb steps up to 24 steps and ladders up to 18-ft on an occasional to frequent basis.
• Ability to lift up to 25-pounds individually and up to 100-pounds with assistance, 0-72 inch height range, on an occasional to frequent basis.
• Ability to carry up to 25-pounds up to 100 yards on an occasional to frequent basis.
• Ability to push and pull against resistances up to 100-pounds on an occasional basis.
• Ability to extend reach with both arms, from floor level to overhead, handling up to 25-pounds on an occasional basis.
• Ability to manipulate small parts, machine and vehicle controls and various hand tools on a frequent basis.

Pay Transparency

At Bentley we offer a "total rewards" package designed to attract, motivate, retain, and reward our employees. This includes competitive compensation, robust benefits, career development and opportunities, paid time off, and a positive, engaging employee experience. In alignment with the Massachusetts Pay Transparency Act and our commitment to equity and transparency, we’re sharing the salary range for this role. This is a union position and the salary is governed by the collective bargaining agreement between the union and Bentley University.

Salary

$32.18 per hour

If you have questions about the salary grade range or need additional information, please contact us at [e-mail].

Bentley University requires references checks and may conduct other pre-employment screening.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Bentley University strives to create a campus community that welcomes the exchange of ideas, and fosters a culture that values differences and views them as a strength in our community.

Bentley University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, building strength through diversity. The University is committed to building a community of talented students, faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of global business. We strongly encourage applications from persons from underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, covered veterans and those with diverse experiences and backgrounds.