Athletic Grounds Trades Worker

Athletic Grounds Trades Worker

Join Sarasota County's Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources team as an Athletic Grounds Trades Worker and help maintain the high-quality athletic complexes that host local leagues, regional tournaments, and sports tourism events. In this hands-on role, you'll maintain athletic fields and surrounding facilities, prepare playing surfaces for practices and games, assist with event setup and cleanup, and help provide a safe, welcoming experience for athletes and visitors.

If you enjoy working outdoors, take pride in maintaining first-class facilities, and thrive in a team environment, we'd love to hear from you.

To be considered, you must have a high school diploma or GED, at least 1 year of experience in park, landscape, athletic field, or grounds maintenance, and a valid Florida driver's license. Experience with athletic field maintenance, landscaping equipment, or a Class A or B CDL is preferred. Successful candidates are comfortable operating grounds maintenance equipment, providing excellent customer service, performing physically demanding work in Florida's outdoor conditions, and working a flexible schedule that may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Apply today and help keep Sarasota County's premier athletic facilities game-ready!

In this role, you will:

• Maintain athletic fields and sports facilities to provide safe, high-quality playing surfaces.
• Operate and maintain a variety of landscaping, athletic field, and grounds maintenance equipment and tools.
• Prepare fields for practices, games, tournaments, and special events, including field lining, base setup, and playing surface maintenance.
• Assist with event setup and breakdown while helping ensure facilities are clean, safe, and ready for visitors.
• Perform general grounds maintenance such as mowing, trimming, mulching, litter removal, fencing repairs, and basic landscaping.
• Inspect parks and athletic facilities, report maintenance or safety concerns, and help determine field playability based on weather and field conditions.
• Provide friendly customer service by assisting park visitors and promoting a safe, welcoming environment.

About the Schedule:

• Full-time, 40(+) hours per week - overtime is available.
• Typical Schedule: 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Flexible schedule required, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.

As a reminder, all county employees are considered essential and must be prepared to protect and support the community and its citizens. Each employee, without exception, will have a duty assignment and be required to work during a disaster or declared emergency.

To be considered for this role, you must have the following:

• High School Diploma or GED and 1+ year of experience as a semi-skilled laborer in the care and maintenance of parks, landscape, athletic fields, or other similar grounds.
• Valid Florida driver's license.

The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and/or abilities:

Please note that these are not requirements but bonuses for your consideration.

• Class A or B Commercial Driver License (CDL) and/or experience maintaining athletic fields or landscaped grounds.
• Experience in safely operating and maintaining mowers, power equipment, and hand tools.
• Strong customer service and teamwork skills with the ability to communicate professionally.
• Basic computer skills and the ability to read chemical labels and safety information (MSDS/SDS).
• Ability to perform physically demanding outdoor work and work a flexible schedule.

Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for a period of 5 years.

Physical Demands: Employees in this role must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 lbs. i.e.: Fertilizer bags and other materials used in the maintenance of athletic fields at various points throughout the year.

Starting Pay: $18.21 (Step 1); Potential higher pay (steps) for those with multiple years of experience.