Subaru Park and WSFS Sportsplex are home to the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer and the Philadelphia Union 2, the MLS Next Pro affiliate of the Union. The Groundskeeper’s responsibilities are to comply with the daily orders of the Director of Grounds and Head Sports Turf Manager as it pertains to the daily maintenance of the Subaru Park game field and the WSFS Sportsplex fields and the accompanying campus landscape. This position will supervise grounds crew members and be required fulfill operations that include preparation and event staffing for soccer, football, rugby, lacrosse, and concert events.
Essential Job Functions (including to but not limited to):
- Perform daily responsibilities of game field at Subaru Park, adjacent WSFS Sportsplex along with the exterior landscape and grounds of the Union Power Plant, Annex, and the extended campus which includes mowing, irrigation, fertilizing, pesticide applications, field painting, cultural turfgrass practices, equipment operation, and snow removal.
- Scout game field, stadium, training fields, and exterior grounds for problems, related to both turf health (pest stresses, etc.) and physical appearances of property (trash, damages, etc.), and report these issues to stadium management.
- Must be able to obtain a PA pesticide license within 90 days of employment.
- Operation of light duty vehicles, mowers, tractors, etc. and light truck with plow. Will train part-time employees on use of equipment.
- Assures the necessary event equipment (goals, benches, etc.) is set up and in good working condition.
- Assist in the seasonal maintenance of the equipment fleet and ensures the proper maintenance is performed as needed in a timely manner.
- Ability to work Union and Union 2 matches at Subaru Park, along with other events throughout the year.
- Ability to step in for other crew members as needed and grow in responsibilities.
- Foster professional relationships with Union coaching staff, players, co-workers, and tenants.
- Develop best methods of communication with Director of Grounds, Head Sports Turf Manager, and grounds crew, as well as stadium staff, Union employees, and stadium clients.
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications and Personal Attributes:
The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job.
- 2 or 4 year degree in Turfgrass Science or similar area of study, highly preferred.
- 3-5 years of experience in maintaining sand based athletic fields.
- Have an innovative mind and ability to bring new ideas and methods to the job.
- Ability to listen, understand instructions, and learn new methods of doing tasks.
- Strong written and oral skills with the intent to communicate with technical staff and administration.
- Knowledge of cool and warm season turf in the upper transition zone and how it is maintained.
- Knowledge of turf equipment, tools and pesticide usage.
- Knowledge of techniques in planting and maintaining trees and shrubs suited to the area location.
- Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.
- Ability to work effectively with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to perform physical tasks such as; lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, climbing stairs, ladders, etc. and pulling tarps.
- Must have a valid driver’s license.
