SEASONAL TURF MANAGEMENT INTERN

Town of Cary; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 3,031,000; Part time

Job summary

Town of Cary is seeking a Seasonal Turf Management Intern to learn and apply hands-on turf maintenance skills at premier sports facilities in Cary, NC. The program targets college students enrolled in turf or horticulture programs and emphasizes practical work on high‑quality athletic surfaces and surrounding park areas.

The internship runs for about 5 to 6 months, starting in late May or early June, with some night, weekend, and holiday work required to support events and tournaments.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year turf/horticulture program.
• Preference given to juniors/seniors in study.
• Bring a current academic transcript to the interview, if granted.

Responsibilities

• Gain hands-on experience in turf management for sports fields.
• Assist in mowing, watering, grooming infields, lining fields, and repair work.
• Contribute to fertilizer, irrigation and best management practice planning.
• Support daily maintenance at USA Baseball National Training Complex or WakeMed Soccer Park.
• Perform other job-related tasks as required.

Skills

Positive attitude

Self-motivated

Customer service

Education

Enrolled in turf/horticulture program (2- or 4-year)

Job description

Are you a turf management student looking for an engaging and educational summer internship? If so, Cary may have the perfect opportunity for you! Our Seasonal Turf Management Intern will learn technical skills through hands‑on experience at premier sports facilities, like USA Baseball and Wake Med Soccer Park.

The turf management intern opportunity is a paid summer internship for college students currently enrolled in a two or four year turf or horticulture program. The internship will focus on the maintenance and upkeep of both high‑quality athletic surfaces and the park areas that surround the fields.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, sports‑field focused, customer‑oriented college student who is excited to prepare the best sporting fields in the region for spring and summer events and tournaments.

The internship will begin in late May or early June of this year and continue for no longer than 5 to 6 months.

Key Responsibilities

• Hands on experience and exposure to turf management in the sports field industry;
• Firsthand experience in mowing, watering, grooming infields, lining fields, mound and plate repair, and foliar and granular fertilizer selection and application;
• Opportunity to explore the sports field industry from the ground up by taking part in creating fertilizer, irrigation and best management practice plans that could be implemented in many locations;
• Assist in the daily maintenance of the playing surfaces and the park areas at the USA Baseball National Training Complex or the WakeMed Soccer Park.
• Performs other job-related tasks as required.

Candidates should be positive, self‑motivated, and have an interest in working in the sports field industry. Candidates must have good professional interactions, including a professional and courteous demeanor when dealing with citizens and staff members.

This internship will require night, weekend, and holiday work depending on the events schedule.

Physical Requirements

Work in this class is medium to heavy work and may require exposure to various environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and rain. An employee must have the physical agility to move about freely including the ability to climb stairs and ladders, walk for long periods, run, squat, kneel, bend, push, pull and the endurance necessary to operate equipment. Moderate to heavy lifting is required in performing the work. Visual acuity is necessary to perform paperwork, read gauges, and make repairs. An employee must also be able to hear, talk, and smell.

Education

Candidates must be currently enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year turf/horticulture program with a letter of reference from their academic advisor. Preference will be given to college students in their junior or senior years of study.

Minimum and preferred requirements

• A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record is required.
• A flexible schedule that enables you to work varying nights, weekends, and holidays from approximately May through October 2026 (with some flexibility based on school schedule).
• Candidates will be required to bring a current academic transcript to the interview, if granted.

Conditions of Employment

Requires drug testing and background check (which may include criminal history check, motor vehicle records check, education verification and credit history review) and satisfactory reference checks prior to employment.