Job Summary
The University of Utah Athletics Department is seeking a Facility and Sports Turf Specialist to oversee the daily maintenance, operations, and care of America First Ballpark and associated athletic field and turf areas. This position will serve as the operational support staff member for synthetic turf management, field preparation, event support, and general facility upkeep for America First Ballpark.

This position will play a critical role in maintaining the safety, play-ability, appearance, and long-term performance of the ballpark’s synthetic turf system, including the playing field, bullpens, warning track areas, indoor batting cages, pitching mounds, and batting cage systems. In addition, this role will assist with the maintenance and care of additional grass, turf, landscape, and exterior athletics areas as assigned.

America First Ballpark is a premier collegiate baseball facility with significant year-round operational demands related to Utah Baseball activities, summer training usage, external rentals, camps, and community events.

The Facility and Sports Turf Specialist will provide hands-on facility and field support to ensure the venue remains safe, functional, clean, recruit ready, and operationally prepared for student-athletes, coaches, staff, and community users.

Responsibilities
Sports Turf & Field Maintenance
Oversee daily maintenance and care of the synthetic turf playing surface, bullpens, warning track areas, indoor batting cages, and associated field systems at America First Ballpark.
Maintain mound and batting cage tray and Velcro systems to ensure proper safety and play-ability standards.
Operate turf grooming, maintenance, and field preparation equipment.
Perform routine field grooming, seam maintenance, brushing, infill redistribution, debris removal, and preventative maintenance procedures.
Monitor field conditions and proactively address safety or performance concerns.
Assist in developing and implementing preventative maintenance schedules to maximize turf lifespan and performance.
Support maintenance and upkeep of additional athletic turf, grass, landscape, and exterior athletics areas as assigned.
Assist with irrigation, mowing, edging, fertilization, aeration, over-seeding, weed management, and landscape maintenance management of the ballpark grounds and exterior spaces.

Facility Operations & Maintenance
Assist with the daily operations, upkeep, and maintenance of America First Ballpark and surrounding facility spaces.
Perform general facility inspections and identify operational, maintenance, custodial, or safety concerns.
Assist with minor facility repair including custodial support and general maintenance work.
Help maintain all areas of the facility so they are in a clean, safe, and operationally ready condition for student-athletes, recruits, donors, and guests.
Assist with post-event cleanup, facility setup, and operational turnover.

Event & Rental Operations
Assist with event operations, external rentals, camps, and community use activities.
Serve as the on-site athletics contact during community rentals and outside events.
Assist with event setup, breakdown, operational logistics, and facility readiness.
Help ensure compliance with facility usage policies, operational standards, and safety expectations during events and rentals.

Winter Operations
Oversee snow and ice removal operations on synthetic turf surfaces, walkways, and facility access points.
Maintain year-round accessibility and operational readiness of outdoor athletic facilities during winter weather conditions.

Operational Support & Coordination
Coordinate with campus facilities, vendors, and outside contractors regarding maintenance and repair needs.
Assist with inventory management of maintenance equipment, turf materials, and operational supplies.
Maintain records and documentation related to maintenance activities, repairs, field conditions, and operational needs.
Assist with special projects and other duties as assigned.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required
Work will occur both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, and snow.
Position requires extensive standing, walking, lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, and operation of turf and maintenance equipment.
Position will regularly require evening, weekend, holiday, and extended-hour work associated with athletic events, -facility operations, snow removal, and community rentals.
Exposure to fertilizers, herbicides, turf materials, cleaning supplies, maintenance chemicals, and outdoor environmental conditions may occur.
Ability to work in extreme conditions such as rain, snow, hot and cold temperatures.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required
Nearly Continuously: Standing, walking, hearing, listening, talking, operating maintenance equipment, and working outdoors.
Often: Repetitive hand motion, bending, lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying equipment and materials up to 50 pounds, operating utility vehicles and turf maintenance machinery.
Seldom: Sitting, reaching overhead, climbing ladders, working in confined maintenance spaces.


This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Sports Turf Management, Grounds Management, Facilities Management, Landscape Management, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum one year of experience in sports turf maintenance, grounds-keeping, facility maintenance, or athletic field operations.
Valid driver’s license required.
Ability to operate landscaping, turf maintenance, and facility equipment.
Ability to work long, irregular hours including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather.
Ability to perform manual labor including lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, and prolonged walking/standing.


Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.
Preferences
Experience maintaining synthetic turf athletic fields.
Experience working in collegiate athletics, professional sports, parks and recreation, or sports facility management.
Knowledge of turf maintenance, irrigation systems, soil management, and field preparation techniques.
Experience with snow removal equipment and winter operations.
Knowledge of NCAA and collegiate athletics facility standards.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and take ownership of facility and field operations.
Experience supporting athletic events and external facility rentals.