Department:

Parks Recreation and Natural Resources

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Do you have expertise in lawn treatment, a passion for sports, and a standout customer-service mindset? Join our Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources team as an Athletic Field Specialist and help shape the fields where our community plays. In this hands-on role, you’ll apply advanced skills in chemical spray application, pest identification, turf management, irrigation, and equipment operation to ensure our athletic fields and supporting facilities are safe, vibrant, and game-ready.

Starting pay is $22.14/hr (Step 1), with benefits beginning within 60 days of hire and abundant opportunities for professional growth and development.

Apply today and help create top-tier athletic experiences for our community!

About the Position

In this role you will be responsible for...

Environmental Spray:

• Execute the Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM), troubleshooting chemical deficiencies and applying proper corrective solution of chemicals according to set standards
• When dealing with continuous or predictable pests, you will need to take the appropriate preventative measures to control plant damage
• Oversee and participate in the preparation and application of a variety of fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and other pest and disease eradication and control chemicals as necessary
• Manage the handling, storage, and application of fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides in use

General Maintenance/Upkeep of athletic fields and adjunct facilities:

• Provide polite, friendly, and accurate customer service
• Offer technical guidance/training to other Skilled Trades Workers and Trade Workers
• Conduct parks patrols and general inspections of athletic facilities to ensure the safety of the public
• Reporting potential safety hazards or maintenance issues to supervisor for follow up as necessary
• Perform skilled and specialized tasks in the maintenance and upkeep of athletic fields and adjunct facilities
• Paint and mark fields, set bases and pitching mounds under applicable rules and specified dimensions
• Exercise a high degree of expertise, initiative and independent decision making to ensure customer satisfaction

Renovation:

• On occasion operate special equipment in the maintenance, repair and renovation of athletic facilities including, but not limited to: Versa Vacs, Top Dressers, Drum Rollers, Sod Cutters, Aerators, etc.

About the Work Schedule

Work Hours:

• Full-Time, 40 hours per week
• Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Work schedule may require occasional evenings and/or weekends, depending upon special events

About You

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent education and Three (3) years of increasingly responsible athletic field experience
• -OR- Five (5) years park and recreation maintenance operation experience
• Ability to obtain a Florida GI-BMP license at the time of hire
• Ability to obtain an Ornamental and Turf Applicators License within nine (9) months from the time of hire (Paid for by the county!)
• State of Florida Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class “A” or the ability to obtain within six (6) months from the time of hire (Paid for by the county!)
• Valid Florida Driver's License at the time of hire

Preferred Qualifications:

• Specialized training and/or certification in irrigation, herbicide, and pesticide application and/or turf management
• Considerable knowledge of the methods, materials, equipment, and tools used in park, landscape, athletic field, irrigation, chemical spray, and construction activities
• Familiarity in operating special equipment in the maintenance, repair and renovation of athletic facilities including but not limited to:  Versa Vac, Top Dresser, Drum Roller, Sod Cutter, Aerator, Boom Sprayer, Tractor, etc.
• Ability to perform semi-skilled carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, and landscaping tasks
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor for extended periods, often under hot and humid conditions

Physical Demands:

• May occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds
• Must be fit tested for a respirator. For more information on this requirement, please visit: https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2017/11/02/noshave/

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 in any class for a period of five (5) years

About Everything Else

Starting Pay: $22.14 (Step 1)
Potential higher pay (steps) for those with multiple years of experience

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

• If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)  

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)  

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!
• For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.
• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. 
• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally. 

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.