Sports Field Operator (Temporary, up to 9 months)

at  The City of Guelph

Why Guelph:
When you join the City of Guelph, you join a team of over 2000 employees who deliver services the community relies on every day. Together, we are bringing to life Guelph’s vision of an inclusive, connected, and prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment. As a single tier municipality, we offer a variety of occupations and career specialities within our organization. Guided by the goals and objectives of the Future Guelph: Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.
Position Overview:
Applications are being accepted for the temporary position of Sports Field Operator within Parks. Reporting to the Program Manager, Sports and Leisure Grounds, the successful candidate will be responsible to assist with the daily maintenance of sports turf and facilities, perform functions in accordance with established standard operating procedures, departmental and corporate policies, sound sports field principles and practices, and applicable codes, with a focus on quality customer service and continuous improvement processes.
Guided by the goals and objectives of the City of Guelph Corporate Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Experience related to the duties listed above, normally acquired through the completion of a post-secondary degree or diploma in Turf Management, Horticulture and/or Agriculture or closely related field and 1 – 2 years related experience in sports field maintenance including operating the above-noted equipment. Candidates with equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Must possess a current Landscape Exterminator class applicator’s license from the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change.
• Knowledge and experience with Rainbird IQ3 irrigation systems, including programming, auditing, calculation of irrigation rates based on evapotranspiration, forecasted weather and field conditions, and basic service and repairs.
• Must possess a Class D-Z licence with a good driving record. Successful candidates will be required to provide a current driver’s abstract prior to their start date to confirm their licence is held in good standing and that it has not been suspended or revoked under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) or Criminal Code of Canada in the last 5 years. The City of Guelph will take into consideration the number of demerit points and/or nature of the infractions to determine if it meets our requirements.
• Knowledge and experience in sports field maintenance practices, including dimensions, proper lining and grooming procedures and requirements for safe playable surfaces.
• Knowledge of all maintenance aspects of relevant equipment, including the attachments.
• Experience leading a crew would be an asset.
• Proficient time management skills and flexibility in adjusting within a variety of duties.
• A reliable self-starter, able to make decisions, function with minimal supervision, and work as part of a team.
• Possess effective communication skills: able to deal with the public in a cordial manner.
• Able to perform the physical demands of the job including lifting, kneeling and shovelling and be able to actively participate in daily activities, work within live traffic conditions and in all types of weather conditions.
• Requirement to obtain First Aid and CPR C certification prior to start date.
• Possess an understanding of the OTM Book 7 for Temporary Conditions, and proven knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and other applicable legislation.

• Organize labour, tools and resources required to carry out assigned tasks.
• Operate vehicles and equipment in a safe and efficient manner.
• Inform the Lead hand of workplace requirements and adjust maintenance schedules to efficiently perform fertilizer applications and turf renovations, including aeration, over seeding, topdressing, and sodding in accordance with current cultural practices.
• Provide appropriate instruction to staff to ensure the safe and effective operation of grooming equipment.
• Apply knowledge of greens maintenance for lawn bowling surfaces and provide expertise and guidance to ensure a premium playing surface is maintained at all times.
• Apply knowledge of all official sports field dimensions for baseball diamonds, soccer pitches, football fields etc., as well as proper lining and grooming procedures and requirements for safe, playable surfaces and provide instruction to staff accordingly.
• Ensure all surfaces are safe for use, and report unsafe conditions to the Lead hand.
• Maintain and clean outdoor sports facilities including players’ benches, backstops, fence lines and under bleachers while being attentive of scheduled tournaments and fulfilling requirements for set-up. Carry out assigned tasks with minimal disruption to play.
• Install and maintain home plates, pitching points, etc. and layout sports fields in accordance with official dimensions. Assist with installation, maintenance and removal of tennis nets and posts; monitor and clean tennis surfaces as required.
• Lead and instruct all support staff in the safe and efficient use, care and maintenance of tools and equipment, and maintenance practices.
• Maintain accurate records of daily tasks and report sports field activities and deficiencies to the Lead hand.
• Apply pesticides as directed; keep detailed records of usage in compliance with the Pesticides Act; and make recommendations regarding necessary cultural programs, including pesticide applications based on identification of environmental factors which may contribute to turf diseases.
• Comply with requirements of the Occupational Health & Safety Act, The Highway Traffic Act, the Pesticides Act, all Federal, Provincial and City regulations, policies and procedures.
• Complete daily activity time sheets; report on variances in daily work plans.
• Immediately report vandalism, mechanical difficulties, and damage.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.