Field Maintenance Crew Leader

Effingham County Chamber of Commerce; Springfield (GA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Effingham County is seeking a dedicated grounds-crew lead to manage turf maintenance, field preparation for games, and daily grounds operations across county parks and facilities. You will supervise tasks, ensure safety, and coordinate inmate-detail labor within authorized procedures.

You will operate and maintain grounds equipment, perform irrigation tasks, and conduct routine inspections. The role requires a high school diploma or GED and 1 year of grounds experience; a valid driver's license

Qualifications

• Education, experience: High school diploma or GED and 1 year of grounds-maintenance experience or related training.
• Experience coordinating inmate-detail work and leading crews preferred.
• Knowledge of athletic-field preparation, turf and grounds maintenance, irrigation basics, minor repairs, etc.

Responsibilities

• Assigns, demonstrates, and reviews daily crew tasks; communicates priorities and safety concerns to supervisor.
• Mows, edges, trims, blows, sweeps, rakes, waters, and maintains turf and grounds including athletic fields and playgrounds.
• Prepares athletic fields for games and events by drag/ watering infields, chalking lines, setting bases and goals, and installing temporary fencing.
• Inspects fields, facilities, vehicles, and equipment for hazards; reports unsafe conditions.
• Operates riding and push mowers, light-duty trucks, blowers, trimmers, pressure washers and other equipment after training.
• Repairs or adjusts sprinkler heads and performs minor building/equipment work within scope.
• Cleans restrooms and public areas; manages waste and adheres to safety protocols.
• Tracks vehicle/equipment use and reports maintenance needs; may lead inmate labor under supervision.
• Loads/unloads supplies and equipment safely; assists with event setup and breakdown.
• Directs inmate labor only under correctional authority and established procedures.
• Maintains records of hours worked and travel between sites.

Skills

Crew leadership

Turf maintenance

Irrigation basics

Equipment operation

Safety compliance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Mowers

Trimmers

Pressure washers

Blowers

Job description

Leads and performs grounds, athletic-field, park, facility, irrigation, equipment, sanitation, and event-preparation work with an assigned crew. Coordinates daily tasks and may direct inmate-detail work within authorized procedures, while remaining an active participant in manual field-maintenance operations.

Essential Functions

• Assigns, demonstrates, monitors, and reviews daily crew tasks; communicates priorities, hazards, equipment needs, completed work, and performance concerns to the authorized supervisor.
• Mows, edges, trims, blows, sweeps, rakes, waters, and maintains turf, infields, grounds, landscape areas, playgrounds, bleachers, pavilions, sidewalks, and other park features.
• Prepares athletic fields for games and events by dragging and watering infields, chalking lines, setting bases and goals, installing temporary fencing, and completing other assigned setup.
• Inspects assigned fields, play areas, facilities, vehicles, tools, and equipment for observable hazards or defects; corrects conditions within training and authority and promptly closes, controls, or reports unsafe areas.
• Operates riding and push mowers, light-duty trucks, blowers, sweepers, trimmers, pressure washers, hand and power tools, and other authorized equipment after required training and inspection.
• Repairs or adjusts sprinkler heads, sets authorized irrigation times, and performs minor building, equipment, and beautification work within training and delegated scope.
• Cleans restrooms and public areas, empties trash, replaces liners, transports waste, and follows product labels, safety data sheets, PPE, ventilation, storage, and area-control procedures.
• Tracks vehicle and equipment use and maintenance needs and reports service intervals, damage, defects, or unsafe conditions; does not independently authorize repairs or purchases unless delegated.
• Directs inmate labor only under applicable correctional authority, agreements, training, accountability, tool-control, transportation, security, and incident-escalation procedures.
• Loads, unloads, moves, and stages supplies, equipment, benches, goals, fencing, and materials using safe handling methods and available assistance or mechanical devices.
• Records all hours worked, including required travel between sites, equipment inspection, setup, cleanup, training, special-event, call-back, or after-hours work.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assists other employees and departments with related grounds, setup, cleanup, and operational work.
• Maintains work, inspection, equipment, supply, and incident records required by department procedures.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The position acts as a working crew leader by assigning and reviewing tasks, providing instruction, and reporting performance or safety concerns.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of athletic-field preparation, turf and grounds maintenance, sanitation, irrigation basics, minor repairs, preventive maintenance, and safe equipment operation.
• Skill in leading field tasks, demonstrating work methods, operating grounds equipment, inspecting work areas, documenting conditions, and communicating priorities.
• Ability to recognize hazards, stop or control unsafe work within authority, request assistance, and report equipment defects, injuries, spills, or security concerns.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions, schedules, labels, safety data sheets, equipment manuals, PPE requirements, and tool-control procedures.
• Ability to work professionally with employees, inmate details, contractors, event personnel, and the public while respecting authority boundaries.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

High school diploma or GED.

Experience

One year of grounds-maintenance experience or related training.

Equivalent Combination

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required grounds-maintenance, equipment, safety, and work-lead capabilities may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience preparing athletic fields, leading grounds crews, maintaining irrigation, or coordinating inmate-detail work.

Required Licenses and Certifications

Credential

Required By

Maintenance Requirement

Valid driver's license and County driving eligibility

Before operating a County vehicle

Maintain the license and satisfy County driving requirements.

Assignment-specific equipment and safety training

Before independent operation

Maintain required training and follow inspection, guarding, PPE, and operating procedures.

Inmate-detail supervision and security training required by the responsible correctional authority

Maintain current authorization and follow all tool-control, accountability, transport, and incident procedures.

Work Schedule and Availability

The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Operational needs may require schedule changes, special-event or tournament coverage, and other approved after-hours work. All working time, including required travel between work locations, training, equipment inspection, setup, cleanup, call-back, and work performed before or after the scheduled shift, must be recorded and compensated. Occasional weekend coverage may be required for special events or tournaments.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

Requirement

Frequency

Job-Related Context

Stand and walk on turf, infields, slopes, pavement, and uneven or wet ground

Frequently

Performs grounds work, inspections, cleaning, and event setup.

Bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, climb, and balance

Frequently

Maintains fields, irrigation, equipment, facilities, and landscaped areas.

Push, pull, lift, carry, load, or unload equipment, goals, bases, fencing, waste, and supplies

Frequently

A numerical lifting threshold was not supplied and is Pending Department Validation; use assistance or mechanical devices when required.

Use hands and arms for tools, controls, repairs, painting, cleaning, and setup

Operates equipment and performs manual maintenance tasks.

Drive or operate authorized vehicles and grounds equipment

Frequently

Travels between sites and performs mowing, hauling, sweeping, and field preparation.

Communicate and respond to visual and audible hazards

Frequently

Leads crew activity and works around equipment, traffic, inmates, and the public.

Work is performed in offices, shops, vehicles, athletic complexes, parks, boat ramps, landscaped public areas, and other County properties. The employee may encounter heat, cold, rain, humidity, dust, pollen, noise, vibration, traffic, uneven or slippery ground, insects, equipment, fuels, fertilizers, and pesticides. Exposure must be controlled through documented training, equipment inspection, product labels, safety data sheets, ventilation, storage and mixing rules, required protective equipment, area controls, and prompt reporting of hazards, spills, injuries, or equipment defects. Work may also involve public restrooms, waste, pressure washing, paint, and authorized inmate details.

Disclaimer

Effingham County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable performance of the essential functions of the position, consistent with applicable law. This job description summarizes the position's primary duties and requirements. It is not an exhaustive list of every task, responsibility, or qualification. Duties may be modified or assigned based on operational needs, subject to applicable law and County policy.

Employment Relationship

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this position. It is not an employment contract and does not create a guarantee of employment for any specific duration. Employment with Effingham County is at will and may be terminated by either the employee or the County at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable federal or state law, County ordinances, personnel policies, and any other legally binding employment protections.