Head Groundskeeper

Job Summary

Job Summary The Head Groundskeeper is responsible for repairing and maintaining the playing surface (baseball field) and its surrounding components at Blue Claws Stadium for the Jersey Shore Blue Claws, Affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Head Groundskeeper is responsible for the overall quality of playing surfaces and maintaining a safe environment by providing a first class playing field through various tasks throughout the year including but not limited to turf, dirt, & water management of the playing surface, game preparation, short & long term maintenance planning of the playing surface. This position oversees the landscaping plan of the overall property.

This position is responsible for the hiring, training and implementing our grounds crew and landscaping staff. This team is built to assist the Head Groundskeeper post to keep the playing surfaces to the level set by the organization’s standards and that the field is operational for the next event. The landscaping team is responsible for the overall upkeep of all the grounds outside of the playing surface.

As a member of the stadium operations team, this position will also assist in the overall operation and maintenance of the entire facility.

This position will work collaboratively with the Assistant General Manager, Operations, Director of Stadium Operations and Event & Operations Managers in creating a safe, clean, and functional facility that follows the Standards of Excellence and Standard Operating Procedures of the company set forth by the General Manager and Assistant General Manager.

• Recruit and attract high performing personnel to our seasonal grounds crew to assist in the maintenance and upkeep of the playing surfaces.
• Create and execute grounds keeping program up to core standards for the Blue Claws Standard of Excellence and up to Major League Baseball’s PDL requirements.
• Train seasonal grounds crew on basic job functions and actively oversee their performance with a hands on coaching approach to ensure that the playing surfaces and ballpark are held to our specific standards.
• Actively manage inventory and ordering of equipment and supplies which relate to the basic job functions of the grounds crew and field maintenance.
• Prepare field for game day use, including but not limited to, painting lines and logos, rebuilding mounds and bullpens, watering and dragging infield dirt and warning tracks.
• Monitor weather patterns and assist General Manager and Assistant General Manager in weather decisions and tarp situations.
• Create and execute fertilizer and pesticide applications to keep the playing surfaces vibrant and healthy
• Actively seeks and evaluate new methods to improve performance of grounds crew and the overall appearance and functionality of the playing surfaces.
• Interacts effectively and diplomatically with all stakeholders including staff, management, clients, and general public to maintain a customer friendly environment.
• Maintain excellent service while operating / exceeding under the budgetary guidelines for equipment, supplies, and labor set forth by the GM and AGM.
• Oversees and provides direction for the collection of competitive product and pricing information.
• Recommends pricing strategies based on the competitor’s analysis.
• Help foster the relationship between Blue Claws organization and major league affiliate through proper communication with field staff and Blue Claws upper management.
• Assist in field preparation and maintenance during non-Blue Claws events ranging from amateur games to concerts.
• Oversee and implement general lawn maintenance including but not limited to, raking, mowing, fertilizing, edging, sod work, pesticide applications
• Assist in ballpark preparation and opening for season through various tasks in coordination with the rest of the operations department
• Coordinate workout schedule with coaching staff and prepare batting practice setup and breakdowns in coordination with MLB coaching staff’s input
• Conduct irrigation repair as needed
• Assist with various stadium maintenance projects as needed
• Assist in the overall upkeep of the stadium
• Collaborates…