Sr. Grounds Technician

Genesis Turfgrass LLC.; Piscataway Township (NJ); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Genesis Turfgrass LLC. in New Jersey seeks a field maintenance technician responsible for ensuring safe athletic surfaces across multiple sports, indoors and outdoors.

You will assess turf health, apply IPM/BMP practices, and coordinate with supervisors. Responsibilities include reading blueprints, operating seeding and mowing equipment, training student workers, and maintaining fields for football, baseball, soccer, track, tennis, and more.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or equivalent and 3 years turf maintenance experience
• NJ Pesticide Applicator License Category 3B – Turf; must be obtained within 90 days
• Valid driver’s license with 2+ years driving experience; Rutgers Defensive Driving Course completed
• Ability to read, write and speak English; read diagrams/blueprints; field prep per specifications
• Knowledge of multi-sport field painting, field layout, measurement

Responsibilities

• Scout all fields and ensure NCAA/NJSIAA and international regulation compliance
• Implement IPM and BMP for sand-based fields; monitor soil nutrients, moisture, disease
• Read blueprints and stencil fields; operate and maintain seeding, aeration, mowing equipment
• Train and supervise temporary workers and student staff
• Maintain fields for football, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, track, tennis; repair equipment

Skills

IPM knowledge

BMP knowledge

Reading diagrams/blueprints

Irrigation software

Team supervision

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

1 year college-level agriculture courses + 2 years golf turf management experience

Tools

Slice seeder

Aerator

Rototiller

Tractor

Lawn mowers

Irrigation equipment

Job description

Scope and Function
Under limited direction, ensures the safety of athletic fields and facilities across multiple sports (e.g., football, baseball, soccer, track, tennis, etc.) for both indoor and outdoor environments. Assesses field conditions and turf health, remediate diseases, and provides diversified maintenance to ensure the safety of Division I players while performing on high-quality playing athletic surfaces. May perform other duties as assigned.

DUTIES:

• Scout all fields and evaluates landscapes; ensures adherence to all National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), and international regulations. Implements Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and Best Management Practices (BMP) for all sand based athletic fields including soil nutrient levels, soil volumetric water content, disease pressure. Applies chemicals and fertilizer (complying with NJDEP and EPA regulations).
• Read blueprints and diagrams and stencils fields in accordance with plans. Understands best practices to maintain sand-based fields and growing season; performs soil sampling and tissue testing. Operates and maintains machinery including slice seeder, aerator, rototiller, tractor, lawn mowers, trimmers, top dressers, core harvester, snow removal and field painting and irrigation equipment. Trains and supervises temporary employees and student workers to assist all functions as assigned by supervisor.
• Maintains fields and facilities for athletic events including football, baseball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, softball, field hockey, track and field and tennis. Erects, moves and repairs athletic equipment such as flooring, goals, benches, stages and seating.
• Performs related duties as required.

REQUIREMENTS:
Requires a high school/vocational school education or equivalent plus three years of experience in natural turf maintenance in a sports environment or one year college-level agriculture courses plus two years of golf turf management experience. Requires a valid driver’s license, two years driving experience and successful completion of the Rutgers Defensive Driving Course. Requires a NJ Pesticide Applicator License Category 3B – Turf; must be obtained, at the expense of the employee, within 90 days of employment. This position requires drug and alcohol testing in accordance with federal law. Must have the ability to read, write and speak English as commensurate with job duties. Must be able to read diagrams and blueprints and prepare fields in accordance with specifications. Working knowledge of multi-sport field painting, field layout, measurement, and field preparation for events. Proficiency in web-based irrigation software

Benefits
Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, based on position, which includes:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discounts programs

For detailed information on benefits and eligibility, please visit:http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.