FT Assistant Groundskeeper - Soldier Field

Legends; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Holiday Pay

401(k) with discretionary match up to

Health, dental, vision insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Legends Global is seeking an Assistant Groundskeeper for Soldier Field in Chicago to maintain the field for MLS matches and assist with events and surrounding parkland. Daily duties include mowing, irrigation, fertilizer application, sod installation, field tarping, and painting NFL/MLS markings.

The role requires 3–5 years of groundskeeping experience, a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and the ability to obtain an Illinois Pesticide Applicator License within 90 days.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Groundskeeping or related field.
• 3–5 years of groundskeeping experience required.
• Knowledge of field maintenance, equipment and irrigation.
• Experience in NFL/MLS/NCAA environment preferred.
• Illinois Pesticide Applicator License required or obtain within 90 days.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and paint playing field grass and surrounding parkland areas.
• Operate mowers, tractors, snow blowers, sod cutters and forklifts.
• Water field and manage irrigation; apply fertilizers or pesticides.
• Patch, repair, and sod playing field; tarping as needed.
• Set up field structures for events; paint field markings.
• Supervise field labor during tarping and setup/teardown.
• Manage sod suppliers, budget, and receipts; monitor weather data.

Skills

Planning

Adaptability

Written communication

Verbal communication

Problem solving

Supervisory experience

Professional presentation

Microsoft Office

Field painting

Illinois Pesticide Applicator License

Independent work

Long hours flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Groundskeeping/related field

3–5 years related experience

Working knowledge of groundskeeping and equipment

Experience in NFL/MLS/NCAA environment (preferred)

Illinois Pesticide Applicator License

Job description

POSITION: Assistant Groundskeeper – F/T -Exempt

REPORTS TO: Head Groundskeeper Legends Global, the leader in privately managed public assembly facilities, has an excellent and immediate opening for an Assistant Groundskeeper at Soldier Field. The Assistant Groundskeeper’s primary responsibility is to maintain and paint the field for Chicago Fire MLS soccer matches, as well as assisting with other field events, and the surrounding parkland grass areas, by performing personally the following duties:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES Includes the following - other duties may be assigned:

• Maintenance Responsibilities:
  • Responsible for the care, maintenance, and upkeep of playing field grass and surrounding parkland areas
  • Operate vehicles and powered equipment including mowers, tractors, snow blowers, sod cutters, and forklifts
  • Mow and edge lawns using power mowers or edgers
  • Water the field and manage the irrigation system
  • Apply fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides manually or with automatic sprayers/spreaders
  • Patch and repair playing field grass; add sand as necessary
  • Assist in tarping the playing field when required
  • Install and remove field goals, team benches, stairs, and other structures for events
  • Replace old sod and install new sod as needed
  • Paint field markings according to event requirements (including football, soccer, concerts, and other major events)
  • Install and remove terraplas flooring for concerts
  • Monitor and report issues with the irrigation system
  • Mark irrigation lines before parkland events
  • Manage snow production on the sledding hill in winter
  • Clear snow from sidewalks, gates, and other exterior areas around Soldier Field as required
  • Maintain the artificial field at ComEd Recreational Center
• Supervision Responsibilities:
  • Direct field labor staff during tarping, terraplas installation/removal, and structural setup/teardown
• Administrative Responsibilities:
  • Research sod farms, coordinate with suppliers, and manage the sod budget with accounting
  • Collect sod receipts post-installation for accounting reconciliation
  • Monitor weather via Weather Command and liaise with meteorologists for inclement weather planning
  • Order bulk supplies such as salt, sand, straw, and fertilizer
  • Foster and maintain relationships with Fire Groundskeeper and other clients

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year college or university with a concentration in Groundskeeping, Landscaping, or related field. Subsequent groundskeeping experience may be supplemented for college degree.
• Three to five years related experience and/or training as a groundskeeper or equivalent combination of education and experience is required
• Working knowledge of the principles of groundskeeping, field maintenance, and equipment
• Groundskeeping experience in an NFL, MLS, or NCAA environment is preferred
• Obtains an Illinois Pesticide Applicator License

SKILLS REQUIRED Position requires ability to:

• Excellent planning and adaptation skills
• Strong written and verbal skills
• Demonstrate good problem-solving and communication skills
• Supervisory experience required
• Professional presentation, appearance and work ethic
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office and Outlook
• Proficient in painting NFL and MLS fields
• Ability to obtain Illinois Pesticide Applicator License within 90 days of employment if not already possessed
• Ability to work under limited supervision and to interact with all levels of staff including upper management
• Ability to work long and irregular hours that may vary due to functions and may include, daytime, evenings, weekends and holidays

BENEFITS

• Generous Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay
• Health, dental, vision insurance
• 401(k) investment plan, with a discretionary employer match up to 3%
• Employer-paid and supplemental life insurance
• Short – and long – term disability insurance available

Salary Range: $65,000 - $80,000

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to work both indoors and outdoors, sometimes inclement weather. Employee must be able to lift 50lbs and must have the physical ability to maneuver around the facility, at times, walking and/or standing up to 8-10 hours daily.

Legends Global is an Equal Opportunity / Affimative Action employer, and encourages Women, Minorities, Individuals with Disabilities, and protected Veterans to apply. VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Our Work Experience is the combination of everything that’s unique about us: our culture, our core values, our company meetings, our commitment to sustainability, our recognition programs, but most importantly, it’s our people. Our employees are self‑disciplined, hard working, curious, trustworthy, humble, and truthful. They make choices according to what is best for the team, they live for opportunities to collaborate and make a difference, and they make us the #1 Top Workplace in the area.