Grounds Maintenance Worker (Sport Turf Specialist)

Kirkwood Community College • Cedar Rapids, IA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

Under limited supervision, the Grounds Maintenance Worker provides grounds maintenance activities for the Facilities & Public Safety Department, with a focus on sports turf maintenance. The position supports the college’s mission, vision, principles, values, and strategic initiatives by contributing to continuous improvement of the College Learning Environment. The work schedule is first shift, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The role includes maintaining natural athletic playing fields and campus grounds, preparing fields for sporting events, monitoring turf health, applying approved treatments, and maintaining equipment and chemical records. The employee also coordinates field-maintenance schedules with athletic directors and coaches and supervises part-time grounds crew members.

The position requires physical labor in outdoor environments and may involve exposure to extreme heat and cold, chemicals, moving mechanical parts, electrical current, heights, fumes, dust, noise, and vibration. Required college safety and compliance training includes the college’s safety program, Blood Borne Pathogens training, OSHA 10, FERPA training, and CPR/First-Aid training as a member of the Emergency Response and Control Team. Hepatitis B immunization is offered at no cost to employees with potential exposure to blood or body fluids; employees who decline must sign a waiver.

Requirements

• Two-year degree in horticulture or a related field.
• One to three years of sports turf or grounds maintenance experience.
• Ability to work under the position’s physical and environmental demands.
• Valid driver’s license required; the position requires participation in continuous Motor Vehicle Record monitoring, with the driving record verified initially and monitored on an ongoing basis.
• Complete the college’s safety program, Blood Borne Pathogens training, OSHA 10, FERPA training, and CPR/First-Aid training as a member of the Emergency Response and Control Team.
• Ability to perform manual labor in warehouse conditions and outdoor weather environments, with continuous physical effort.
• Ability to represent the College positively, assume responsibility, handle problems effectively, and exercise independent judgment.
• Thorough knowledge of Kirkwood policies and procedures, with the ability to understand and interpret them accurately.
• Ability to read, understand, and communicate clearly and effectively in written and oral form.
• Attention to detail and ability to multitask accurately on complex tasks.
• Strong collaborative, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively and accurately amid frequent interruptions and maintain flexibility.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with various software programs.
• Welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds and support an environment that accepts differences.

Nice To Haves

• State of Iowa Pesticide Applicators certification, such as Core, 3OT, Roadway, or Aquatics; certification is to be obtained within the first 60 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning, prioritizing, delegating, supervising, implementing, and following up on work assignments for full-time and part-time staff.
• Maintain natural athletic playing fields through mowing, edging, fertilizing, aeration, and irrigation to support turf health, safety, and playability.
• Monitor turf health, conduct soil testing, and evaluate turf for diseases, pests, and cultural or environmental issues.
• Apply approved fertilizers, soil amendments, and other treatments as needed.
• Prepare athletic fields for game days and sporting events, including lining fields to regulatory standards, setting up athletic equipment, and repairing high-wear areas such as pitching mounds and goal areas.
• Supervise part-time grounds crew members, maintain equipment and supply inventories, and coordinate maintenance schedules and field preparation with athletic directors and coaches.
• Calibrate application equipment and safely apply restricted-use pesticides in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and safety procedures.
• Maintain accurate records of campus chemicals, including inventory, use, handling, and storage, in compliance with state and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Monitor equipment use, troubleshoot operational issues, and perform routine maintenance and repairs to keep equipment safe and functional.
• Perform general campus grounds maintenance, including mowing and trimming turfgrass, maintaining irrigation systems and landscape beds, managing waste, removing snow, and other tasks needed to maintain a clean, safe, and attractive campus.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Additional shift differential compensation of $2.00 per hour for hours worked between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., including Saturday and Sunday hours.
• Hepatitis B immunization offered at no cost to employees with potential exposure risk to blood or body fluids.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree