Athletic Field Laborer - City of Somerville

Statement of Duties

The Parks and Recreation Field laborer under general supervision of Athletic Field Foreman will prepare and maintain athletic fields and surfaces for league games and athletic surfaces for practices, games, and/or activities.

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Operate a variety of mowers to maintain athletic fields and lawns; inspect tractor and mower for safe and proper operation; maintain equipment as needed, replacing fuel, fluids, and oil.
• Activities to include but not limited to: mowing, edge, trim and rake fields; operate riding mowers, push mowers, light duty vehicles, blowers, sweepers, trimmers, edger, and weed eaters, fertilization and chemical applications, over-seeding, flowerbed and tree maintenance and debris removal from athletic fields and surfaces, snow/ice removal, etc.
• Prepare the athletic fields which will include but not limited to: dragging the infield, chalking and painting the field according to specified dimensions, watering infield, setting bases, moving goals, lining the field, etc.
• Athletic field maintenance will include but not limited to: filling infield holes, adding clay to infield when necessary and inspecting the fields and courts for proper safety.
• Requires operation of City vehicles to accomplish duties.
• Utilize independent judgment in performing grounds maintenance activities.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions. • Minor maintenance of irrigation system of athletic fields, such as replacing sprinkler heads, programming the system, trouble-shooting problems, etc.
• Minor repairs to structures related to the Parks and Recreational facilities.
• Assists with DPW Grounds tasks when operationally necessary, as determined by the Director of Parks and Recreation or her designee.
• Perform other duties as requested or required.

Recommended Qualifications:

• Knowledge of principles and practices of field/facilities maintenance;
• Knowledge of City, State and Federal regulations concerning field/facilities operations; laws, ordinances and principles of field/facilities safety and enforcement activity;
• Knowledge of project management, performance measurement;
• Knowledge of principles and practices of effective supervision and personnel management;
• Knowledge of standard English grammar and usage.
• Knowledge of operation, maintenance and minor repair of landscape maintenance equipment, horticultural implements and irrigation systems; • Knowledge of emergency procedures, First Aid, and CPR.
• Ability to apply the principles, practices, and current trends in the field of athletic field/facility maintenance.
• Ability to meet and deal with the public effectively and appropriately;
• Ability to handle problems effectively;
• Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to maintain confidential information;
• Ability to deal appropriately with co-workers, officials and members of the general public.
• Excellent organizational skills and field and athletic surfaces maintenance. Use of landscape maintenance equipment including but not limited to; sweepers/blowers, trucks, front end loaders, backhoes, tractors with attachments, mowers, grooming equipment, line painters, spreaders, sprayers, field vacuums, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must possess current Massachusetts Class B License with CDL.
• Must have a valid Hoist Engineer Class 2B License or obtain within 120 days of appointment.
• Necessary knowledge, skills and abilities relative to position.
• Knowledge and skills in preparing athletic fields and surfaces; ability to work harmoniously and cooperatively with other employees and the public.
• Basic grounds maintenance procedures including mowing, edging, raking, and weeding. Methods, equipment and materials used in grounds keeping work. Safe work procedures in the operation of hand and power tools.
• Ability to learn and follow maintenance policies.
• Successful completion of required background check.
• Must pass a practical test.

Work Environment:

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of working outdoors while exposed to dampness, fumes, odors, dust, dirt, rain, heat, cold, chemicals, machinery with moving parts, and loud noises. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is loud when operating equipment.

Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to events or complete work assignments. Overtime pre-approval required.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position's essential functions.

Physical Demand

Minimal physical demands are required to perform the work. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is frequently required to walk, stand, sit, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance: stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee is also required to use feet, ankles, legs, hands and arms to operate necessary equipment. Must be able to perform moderate to heavy physical work with prolonged standing and walking for extended periods of time, walking over rough or uneven surfaces, stretching, bending, pushing, stooping, climbing, crouching, crawling, moving, lifting, and carrying loads weighing between 50 pounds. Work requires some agility such as moving in or about athletic fields, ice rinks, or over rough terrain. Occasional to frequent exposure to inclement weather conditions while performing work.

Mental Demands

Athletics and recreation are very important to the residents. The Park & Recreation Athletic Field Laborer will have to manage a number of requests and projects at one time. He/she may have to complete a number of tasks and responsibilities at one time, and must be prepared to deal with emergencies and stressful situations at any time.

Environmental Condition

The Park & Recreation Athletic Field Laborer may work in a number of facilities and outdoor locations and may have to work on a number projects at one time. They may be interrupted frequently to meet the needs and requests of residents. The Park & Recreation Athletic Field Laborer may find the environments to be busy, noisy and will need excellent organizational and time and stress management skills to complete the required tasks. The Park & Recreation Athletic Field Laborer must be prepared to deal with injuries and accidents as a result of recreational and sport events.

Sensory Demands

Sensory demands can include operating equipment, which may cause eye strain, hearing loss, and occasional headaches. The situations and programs may be noisy and busy making it difficult for the Park & Recreation Athletic Field Laborer to concentrate.

Motor Demand

Duties are both mental and physical, the job may occasionally require motor skills for activities such as mowing, operating equipment, moving nets, goals, etc. Frequently required to walk, stand, sit, talk, and hear.

Visual Demand

Visual demands require constantly being able to appropriately operate equipment.

Hours: Full-Time
Salary: $1,030.40 weekly, plus benefits
Union: SMEA B
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Date Posted: May 3rd, 2024

City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.

Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:

• MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
• Completition of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees

Overview of Total Rewards:

• 4 weeks annual vacation (for non-union positions) union positions vary by contract
• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
• Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
• Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Long term disability through Sun Life
• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
• Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
• Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
• Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
• Annual cancer screening & wellness release
• Somerville Retirement Pension System
• Tuition reimbursement
• MBTA pass program
• FREE Blue Bikes membership
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.