Field Technician

Introduction

The City of New Haven is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Field Technician to join our team. This position involves advanced supervisory work in the maintenance and care of athletic fields and related park infrastructure. The Field Technician will be responsible for ensuring that athletic fields are maintained to the highest standards, prepared for practices and games, and kept in optimal playing condition.


Duties will include managing a team, operating specialized equipment, and performing both routine and complex maintenance tasks. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the upkeep of our community's sports facilities while working closely with a dedicated team to maintain safety, quality, and performance standards.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

This is advanced skilled supervisory work in the care and maintenance of athletic fields and related park infrastructure.


Work involves responsibility for the maintenance and care of athletic fields and related park facilities. This includes preparing fields for practices and games, ensuring they are safe and in optimal playing condition, and performing routine maintenance tasks. The Field Technician will work closely with the Superintendent of Fields and other staff to ensure that all facilities meet safety and quality standards.


Position reports to Foreperson Fields, Assistant Superintendent of Fields, or appropriate designee; and supervises assigned staff, seasonal employees, or volunteers.


Per Bargaining Agreement, hours of work are Sun-Sat, 40 hrs/week; 7am - 3:30 pm and 2pm - 10:30 pm., and may include rotating seasonal shifts.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises and operates tractors, rotary, and other grass-cutting equipment; trucks materials to and from jobs.
• Maintains and repairs athletic fields including mowing, aerating, and watering.
• Maintains Synthetic Turf Fields including grooming, cleaning, and in-fill practices.
• Marks and lines fields for various sports according to regulations.
• Maintains irrigation systems under the oversight of the City's plumber.
• Inspects fields regularly for hazards and repairs as necessary.
• Supervises and participates in cutting grass; picking up paper, rubbish, and debris; raking and picking up leaves; trimming shrubbery; cutting brush; tarring, digging holes and ditches; shoveling and plowing snow.
• Assists in planning and implementing annual upgrades, irrigation, seeding including aeration and fertilization activities under supervision of the Assistant Superintendent of Fields, and boxing.
• Follows all safety guidelines and regulations.
• Performs related work as required.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE


Graduation from high school and 5 to 7 years' experience in the use of hand tools, power tools, light equipment, and groundskeeping and field maintenance; including 3 to 5 years as a Caretaker for the City of New Haven or industry equivalent.


KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of maintenance and groundskeeping trades including proficiency in turf management, field maintenance, and athletic field regulations.
• Ability to drive vehicle, trucks, and to operate light equipment.
• Ability to perform skilled and unskilled labor tasks without direct supervision, both independently and leading a team.
• Ability to understand and follow both oral and written instructions.
• Ability to issue both oral and written instructions.
• Knowledge of safety precautions which are necessary when using equipment.
• Considerable knowledge of methods and procedures used in grounds and athletic field maintenance.
• Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.
• Ability to quickly assess and address maintenance issues, troubleshoot equipment problems, and propose effective solutions.
• Ability to keep simple records and make reports.
• Knowledge of safety precautions which are necessary when using chemicals and equipment.
• Working knowledge in the use of park maintenance and safety equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public.
• Capability to lead by example, motivate team members, and foster a sense of camaraderie among crew members without formal supervisory authority.
• Capacity to mediate minor conflicts or issues among crew members.
• Ability to perform manual tasks requiring physical strength and endurance, including ability to lift up to 100 lbs.
• Skill in the use and care of tools, machines and equipment used in park maintenance.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must have worked a minimum of 3 years as a Caretaker for the City of New Haven or industry equivalent.
• As this role requires the ability to drive vehicles and trucks, candidate must possess and maintain a valid Connecticut driver's license.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Requirements

Amount of Time

Working Environment

Amount of Time

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3


Stand

X

Wet or humid conditions (non-weather)

X

Walk

X

Work near moving mechanical parts

X

Sit

X

Work in high, precarious places

X

Use hands to touch, handle, or feel

X

Fumes or airborne particles

X

Reach with hands and arms

X

Toxic or caustic chemicals

X

Climb or balance

X

Outdoor weather conditions

X


Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl

X

Extreme cold (non-weather)

X

Talk or hear

X

Risk of electrical shock

X

Taste or smell

X

Work with explosives


X

Risk of radiation


X

Lifting or force to be exerted?

Vibration

X

How much and how often?

Amount of Time

Other: Drives to various facilities to perform assignments

X

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Other: Outdoor terrain, including uneven and/or untended ground

X


Up to 10 pounds

X

Other: May encounter outdoor flora & fauna hazards (i.e., poison ivy, insects, wildlife)


X

Up to 25 pounds

X

Up to 50 pounds

X

Up to 75 pounds

X

Up to 100 pounds

X

More than 100 pounds

X

SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a " General Fund ," tested position.

This position is included in a collective bargaining agreement with Local 424, Unit 128, United Public Service Employees Union. Bargaining agreements are available to review HERE.

Benefit Information


Employees become eligible to participate in the Medical & Dental benefit plan provided for members of Local 424 Unit 128. Employees may elect a medical plan including prescription drug and dental coverage, for which employees must contribute a portion of the premium cost. Benefit information can be found online HERE , under the Local 424 Unit 128 Blue Collar banner.


Eligible employees receive paid vacation, paid sick days, paid personal days , and paid holidays .


Term Life Insurance of $20,000 is provided at no cost to the employee.


Short-Term Disability coverage is also provided at no cost to the employee.


General Funded hires into this class are not covered by Social Security and will not pay Social Security taxes. They instead participate in the City Pension; the employee contribution rate is 9% of pay.


The City of New Haven does not sponsor employment visas. All applicants must have current authorization to work in the U.S. without employer-sponsored visa support.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of: (1) a pre-employment background check, (2) a pre-employment physical examination, including pre-employment drug screening accordance with the City's Drug Free Workplace Policy*, and (3) a 120 calendar-day probationary period. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment.

Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, The City of New Haven has a adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy. The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana.

Selection Plan

Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources. Applicants must demonstrate within their submission that they meet the minimum requirements as listed within the job description; failure to do so may result in disqualification. Applicants meeting minimum requirements may be invited to participate in a Civil Service exam process at a later date.


It is critical that you complete the application thoroughly, as the information you provide will be used to ascertain if you are eligible to move forward in the selection process. Your application and resume should indicate that you meet the minimum requirements as listed. This information may be used to determine the eligibility list. As such, this job announcement should be considered the exam announcement, and submissions may be evaluated prior to the posted closing date.

Information regarding the employment and selection process can be found HERE.


Please note that the only method of communication with applicants for this position will be by email. You must provide a valid, working email address and you will need to monitor your email, including spam/junk folders, for correspondence from the New Haven Human Resources Department.

We reserve the right to extend an application deadline or close a job posting early to ensure we can attract and identify the best candidate(s) for a position.


Conclusion


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