Groundskeeper

Philadelphia Phillies; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Groundskeeper at Citizens Bank Park keeps championship-quality playing surfaces and surrounding grounds for Phillies baseball and stadium events. You will perform daily turfgrass management, irrigation, equipment operation, and event prep to meet MLB standards.

You will collaborate with Operations staff to support baseball activities, concerts, and special events, while upholding Phillies and MLB standards and a professional work environment.

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelors or Associates in turfgrass management or similar.
• Minimum of three years of experience in professional baseball with similar duties.
• Ability to work independently and maintain strong organizational skills.
• Must be physically capable of lifting 50 pounds and operating light to medium machinery.
• Experience handling pesticides and fungicides; ability to pass pesticide tests within three months.

Responsibilities

• Execute the field maintenance program at Citizens Bank Park.
• Support on-field events including concerts and youth games.
• Assist with Summer Internship program and intern development.
• Maintain the Phillies Urban Youth Academy Complex as needed.
• Maintain positive relationships with industry leaders and colleagues.

Skills

Organizational abilities

Ability to work unsupervised

Physical stamina

Lift 50 pounds

Equipment operation

Pesticide handling knowledge

Education

Bachelor's or Associate degree in turfgrass management

Tools

Irrigation systems (Rain Bird Maxicom2)

Job description

Title: Groundskeeper
Department: Field Operations
Reports To: Director, Field Operations
Status: Salaried, Full-Time, Exempt

Position Summary

The Groundskeeper is responsible for maintaining championship-quality playing surfaces and surrounding grounds at Citizens Bank Park for all Philadelphia Phillies baseball operations and stadium events. This role executes daily field maintenance, turfgrass management, irrigation, equipment operation, and event preparation to ensure a safe, consistent, and visually exceptional playing environment that meets Major League Baseball standards.

This position partners closely with Operations staff to support baseball activities, concerts, and special events while maintaining the high standards expected throughout Citizens Bank Park.

Job Responsibilities

• Assists with executing the entire playing field maintenance program at Citizens Bank Park including fertilization, cultural practices and irrigation and is charged with all related functions necessary to perform these duties in an exemplary manner.
• Assists with executing various on-field extra events held at the facility including, but not limited to, concerts, walk-the-bases, youth and charity games, etc.
• Assists in executing the Summer Internship program including working one-on-one with summer interns to assist in their educational experience and development.
• Assist with limited maintenance tasks at the Phillies Urban Youth Academy Complex as required.
• Maintains a positive relationship with the various industry leaders throughout the state and country so as to increase the professional reputation of the Phillies’ organization and Major League Baseball as a whole.
• Maintain a positive and creative work atmosphere for all division employees.
• All other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors or Associates degree in turfgrass management, business administration, or similar degree area.
• Three years experience working in professional baseball with similar responsibilities.
• Have exceptional organizational abilities and the ability to work unsupervised.
• A minimum of two years experience maintaining a sand-based, high-performance baseball diamond, preferably in the Mid-Atlantic or Midwest regions.
• Experience handling and applying pesticides and fungicides. Have the ability to take and pass the Pennsylvania Pesticide Applicators core test as well as category 7 within three months of starting employment with The Phillies.
• Have a thorough knowledge of applicable State & Federal pesticide regulations/laws.
• Must be physically capable of safely operating light to medium to machinery including utility vehicles, tractors, skid steers and mowers, be able to lift 50 pounds unassisted, be able to work for extended periods of time in high heat and humidity, and have no restrictions to work with any plant materials, soils or pesticides/chemicals commonly used in landscaping operations.
• Have a basic understanding of equipment maintenance principals including small engine repair and reel mower cylinder grinding.
• Willingness to work long hours and a variable schedule including weekends and holidays, especially during the baseball season.

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of two years experience as either a minor-league Head or MLB Assistant Groundskeeper.
• A minimum two years experience maintaining Kentucky Bluegrass in a high-end athletic field setting.
• Experience operating a centrally controlled irrigation system, preferably a Rain Bird Maxicom2 system.

The Phillies are an Equal Opportunity Employer