Athletic Grounds / Field Specialist

Perform skilled and semi-skilled labor in the various aspects of Athletic Field Maintenance, including turf and skinned area maintenance, irrigation, construction and related service activities for the University's baseball and softball fields. Directly participate in the daily maintenance and preparation of all playing surfaces, supervise (and train) a part-time staff employee in the techniques to maintain athletic fields. Follow operational procedures to optimally maintain the playing surface of the field. Experience, special skills, knowledge and abilities to maintain athletic fields at the highest competitive levels are required. Additional information about the department is online at https://campus.utahtech.edu/.

• Perform daily athletic field and grounds maintenance, including:
  • Mowing, aerating, topdressing, seeding, sodding, trimming, field painting, irrigation and turf care, as well as fertilizing;
  • Spraying chemicals including insecticides, herbicides, soil conditioners and related chemicals;
  • Installing and caring of trees and shrubs, with proper pruning techniques and tree removal;
  • Following proper safety precautions.
• Help perform infield maintenance and repair work of baseball/softball fields, including watering infields, repairing bases, pitching mounds, batter's boxes and transition areas of infield and outfield.
• Perform tilling, rolling and fertilizing soil; construct new planting areas and maintain high traffic wear areas on athletic fields.
• Perform maintenance of irrigation system, including preventative maintenance, replacement of heads, broken pipes, winterization and summarization of irrigation system and monitor flow rates of fields.
• Identify equipment needs for each assigned project; organize work methods and procedures; ensure proper materials are available. Check assigned tools and equipment needed for maintenance and repair, make repairs, and report major repairs to supervisor.
• Operate or drive a variety of specialized equipment utilized in assigned projects including tractors, lawn mowers, forklift, man-lift, power and hand tools such as chain saw, weed eater, edger and related equipment; assist in training others to use specialized equipment as necessary.
• Perform maintenance of field areas and buildings; pick up paper and other debris; empty trash containers, sweep entrances, gutters and curb areas.
• Answer questions and provide information to the public; respond to citizen inquiries and complaints, while maintaining positive relations with the public.
• Supervise seasonal staff in job duties.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• At least one year of athletic or sports field maintenance experience, and three years of general landscape maintenance, are required; experience with irrigation systems preferred.
• Must have (and maintain) a valid Driver's License and be able to lift more than 50 pounds and work in all kinds of inclement weather extremes of hot and cold. A lift test and drug test will be required prior to job start date.
• Ability to use and knowledge of the operation and tools necessary to perform daily tasks (mower, trimmer, shears, shovels, tractor, truck, etc.) Knowledge of materials, methods, practices and equipment used in athletic field maintenance.
• Knowledge of handling and the proper application of related chemicals, occupational hazards and standard safety precautions necessary in the work; good principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Knowledge of planting and caring for trees, shrubbery, and grass; ability to apply herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals in a safe manner.
• Ability to be flexible with schedule and work around Athletic team schedules.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; ability to follow detailed oral and written instructions.
• Ability to exercise basic human relations skills in establishing and maintaining effective working relations with the university community and campus guests.

POSITION DETAILS, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Full-time non-exempt staff (overtime-eligible) position. Annual salary of $42,000+ depending on qualifications and experience. Desired start date of February 2025. Excellent benefits package included that begins on start date; includes medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, employee assistance and wellness programs, retirement plan contributions, and undergraduate tuition waivers for employees and eligible dependents, as well as paid holidays in addition to sick and vacation leave accruals. See https://humanresources.utahtech.edu/employee-benefits/ under "Benefits Summary" for more details.

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Application review begins January 15, 2025. Submit application materials (including resume contents and contact information for three professional references) and upload cover letter electronically. If, because of a disability, you need special services or facilities in order to apply for this opening, please call the Human Resources Office at (435) 652-7520.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY: Utah Tech University is an open, comprehensive, polytechnic institution, committed to exceptional student learning and success that has adopted an instructional approach of "active learning. active life" and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. We seek faculty and staff committed to creating an active, applied and career-oriented learning environment that is student-centered. Established in 1911 as a community college and in 2013 as a state university, our University is located in picturesque southwestern Utah, approximately 120 miles north of Las Vegas. The area is renowned for its red rocks, desert climate, over 300 days of sunshine annually, and featuring easy access to world-class outdoor recreational opportunities. Click here to learn more about the University.

Utah Tech University is a fast-growing Utah public institution of higher education, with more than 13,000 students. We offer over 250 programs, including masters, bachelors, associates, certificates, endorsements, minors, and/or emphases. We seek to recruit and retain diverse and ambitious faculty and staff who bring new ideas, possess values and career aspirations aligned with the mission and vision, and are inspired to build a premier open, comprehensive, polytechnic university. Utah Tech University is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer; the President and employees of the University are fully committed to Affirmative Action within its employment programs and activities. Utah Tech does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state or local law. The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or the University's non-discrimination policies:

• Director of Equity Compliance / Title IX Coordinator: Hazel Sainsbury - titleix@utahtech.edu, HCC 579, 435-652-7747.
• Deputy Title IX Coordinator: LaShun McGhee - titleix@utahtech.edu, 435-652-7731.

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://titleix.utahtech.edu/ or contact:

• U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, ocr@ed.gov, 800-421-3481.
• U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, ocr.denver@ed.gov, 303-844-5695.

The University provides key institutional information regarding Academics, Campus Safety, Student Services, Employment Laws, and other requirements per the Higher Education Act and other consumer information requirements to prospective students, students, UT employees, and prospective employees online at https://utahtech.edu/right-to-know/ and https://police.utahtech.edu/clery-act/.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification.