Assistant Groundskeeper

Baltimore Orioles•Baltimore, MD

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Groundskeeper plays a critical role in maintaining a safe, visually exceptional, and high-performing natural grass playing surface for a Major League Baseball organization. Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Field Operations, this position assists in all aspects of sports turf management, field preparation, and facility maintenance while applying advanced agronomic principles to optimize turf health, playability, and aesthetics throughout the season. The ideal candidate possesses extensive sports turf and agronomic knowledge, a strong work ethic, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced professional sports environment with demanding schedules.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Turfgrass Science, Agronomy, Plant Science, Horticulture, Sports Turf Management, or related field.
Minimum 3–5 years of experience in professional sports turf management, collegiate athletics, golf course management, or a comparable high-performance turf environment.
Strong understanding of turfgrass management, soil science, plant nutrition, irrigation management, pest management, and environmental stress mitigation.
Experience with cool-season athletic field management practices.
Knowledge of integrated pest management (IPM) principles and pesticide application techniques.
Ability to obtain or maintain a state pesticide and fertilizer applicator license.
Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.

Nice To Haves

Professional baseball or professional sports venue experience.
Experience with advanced moisture management technologies, GPS-guided equipment, and turf performance analytics.

Responsibilities

Assist in the development and execution of comprehensive turfgrass management programs for the playing field.
Monitor turf health through routine scouting, soil testing, moisture management, and plant health assessments.
Implement fertility, pesticide, and cultural practice programs in accordance with agronomic best practices and regulatory requirements.
Assist with irrigation scheduling, water-use efficiency strategies, and moisture management utilizing soil moisture sensors and field monitoring technologies.
Evaluate and address turf stress caused by weather, traffic, disease, insects, and environmental conditions.
Support field renovation projects, overseeding, aerification, topdressing, and other turf improvement initiatives.
Prepare the playing surface to Major League Baseball standards for all home games, practices, workouts, and special events.
Perform mowing, edging, striping, dragging, infield skin maintenance, mound and home plate preparation, and field painting.
Assist with tarp deployment and removal during inclement weather events.
Ensure all field dimensions, markings, and playing conditions comply with MLB regulations.
Support game-day operations and respond promptly to field-related issues during events.
Operate and maintain specialized turf equipment, utility vehicles, sprayers, spreaders, and irrigation systems.
Assist in preventative maintenance and repair of grounds equipment.
Maintain organized storage areas, chemical inventories, and maintenance records.
Ensure compliance with all safety procedures, environmental regulations, and OSHA standards.
Assist in supervising seasonal grounds crew members and game-day staff.
Provide training on field preparation techniques, equipment operation, and safety procedures.
Contribute to a collaborative team environment focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence.