Role Summary
The role of a head groundskeeper and site manager of a sporting field involves overseeing the maintenance and management of the facility. This includes ensuring that the field is in optimal condition for sporting events, coordinating maintenance schedules, managing a team of groundskeepers (volunteers and paid), and ensuring the safety and functionality of the entire site.
This role is crucial in providing a safe and well-maintained environment for sporting activities at the national Baseball and Softball Complex at Farnham Park. Our 5 – field flagship site is where we host play from grassroots to elite and the facility needs to adapt to the needs. The head groundskeeper, site manager is responsible for tasks such as mowing, fertilising, aerating, and watering the field, as well as repairing any damages.
They also collaborate with all customers, event organisers, coaches, and players to address specific field requirements and make necessary adjustments. Overall, what they deliver is testament to our brand.
Main Tasks & Responsibilities
1. Field Maintenance • Ensuring the field is properly maintained by performing activities such as mowing, fertilising, aerating, and watering. • Understanding turfgrass species, soil composition and pest control. • Monitoring the condition of the turf, addressing any issues or damages. • Implementing a maintenance schedule. • Implementing a ‘playing season’ field preparation plan for approval.
2. Equipment Management • Managing and maintaining the necessary equipment and machinery required for field maintenance, such as mowers, irrigation systems, and fertilising equipment. • Ensuring equipment is in good working condition, scheduling maintenance and repairs, and keeping an inventory of necessary supplies. • All volunteers / groundskeepers are trained on the usage of all equipment and a register of training is kept.
3. Team Management • Recruit a volunteer base of groundskeepers and assigning tasks to ensure the effective and efficient management of the facility. • Provide guidance, training, and supervision to staff members, as well as coordinating work schedules and evaluating performance. • Plan and budget for additional casual staff as needed. • Look for other alternatives to increase ground crew e.g. interns, apprentices etc.
4. Safety and Compliance • Ensuring the safety of the facility and compliance with relevant regulations and standards. • Monitoring and addressing potential hazards, alerting management and agreeing a solution. • Implementing safety protocols, and ensuring proper signage and markings are in place. • Security protocols are in place for the site, agreed and implemented in accordance with insurers.
5. Event preparation • Collaborating with customers (event organisers, coaches, player, tournament control etc.) to prepare the field for sporting events. • Adjusting field conditions, marking boundaries and lines, setting up equipment as per the customer’s needs. • Coordinating with other staff members to ensure all requirements are met. • Schedule of staff on site and the event ‘how it will be delivered’ needs to be communicated to line manager and concessionaires weekly.
6. Budgeting and Planning • Developing and managing budgets for field maintenance and related expenses. • Forecasting costs, tracking expenditures. • Presenting strategic decisions to optimise resources and achieve desired outcomes.
7. Communication and Collaboration • Maintaining effective communication with stakeholders such as facility management, coaches, players, partners, concessionaires and other relevant parties. • This includes raising and addressing concerns, coordinating schedules, and providing updates on field conditions and maintenance activities.
8. Continuous Improvement • Staying updated on the latest industry trends, techniques, and technologies related to field maintenance and management. • Exploring innovative approaches to enhance field conditions, maximize efficiency, and improve overall facility operations.
9. Post-Event Evaluation • Conducting post-event evaluations to assess the success of the event. • Gather feedback from participants and stakeholders (working with other members of the team to gather this information) • Identify areas for improvement for future events. Key Relationships The postholder will be expected to support relationships with the British Softball Federation, the British Baseball Federation, UK Sport, Sport England, The 108, OKC Spark, Major League Baseball, speakers, coaches, Senior Leadership Team and wider staff.
Additional Responsibilities
As a Member of Staff You will be expected to be prepared to contribute across a wide range of activities, accepting collective and individual responsibility, where necessary. This may include directly delivering activities or working upwards to shape the strategic direction of the organisation. Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, and the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties broadly in line with the above key responsibilities. Role Requirements Experience Experience in Sport Turf management or groundskeeping.
Hospitality and / or customer service roles. Delivery of Sports Event (on and off the field). Experience of managing budgets and allocating resources. Safeguarding and Health and Safety. Staff scheduling and manging a volunteer workforce. Project planning. Qualifications & Training NVQ Level 2 or equivalent in sports turf management. PA1, PA2 and PA6 Spraying certificates. Health and Safety. First Aid training. Safeguarding Adults and Children. Knowledge Solid knowledge of Sports events. Solid knowledge of all types of stakeholders. Good knowledge on project management (maintenance and repairs).
Baseball & Softball Specific field care. Skills Strong desire to excel in procedure improvement. A creative thinker with the tenacity and confidence to see things through to implementation and completion. Pride in the facility and maintaining an aesthetically-pleasing and functional outdoor space. Attention to detail. Customer service. Outstanding communication skills; written and verbal. Strong planning and organisation skills, with the ability to work with the wider team. An ability to work flexibly, and under pressure, adapting to situations as they change. Proficient in all aspects of Microsoft 365. Problem solver, making good decisions with a ‘can do’ attitude.
