Athletic Turf Specialist

Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

Under general supervision from Grounds Foreman or Grounds Superintendent, schedule and perform maintenance work and/or improve growing conditions for natural turf on intercollegiate athletic fields, intramural fields, and other high-intensity turf areas on campus. This position supports both athletic turf operations and general facilities maintenance functions. The employee will be expected to assist with broader Facilities and Grounds activities as needed, including but not limited to mowing, snow and ice removal, material and equipment moves, and other maintenance laborer duties.

Responsible for maintaining skinned areas, field turf, bullpen areas, and all associated property, including entryways and surrounding grounds.
Duties include, but are not limited to, aeration, fertilization, overseeding, watering, mowing, and edging.
•Maintain clear and consistent communication with supervisors and coaches
•Respond to emergency situations by performing snow and ice removal as required.
•Performs periodic inspections of turf areas and provides recommendations for services needed
•Develops work schedules for the maintenance of competitive athletic fields on natural turf by coordinating the annual horticultural calendar with the athletic schedule of events
•Responsible for the inventory of equipment and supplies used in the designated area
•Reads landscape design plans and prints for athletic fields, prepares layouts, and performs painting and striping of athletic fields
•Collaborate in developing and executing turf improvement plans across campus.
•Maintain SIU username and password, and check SIU e-mails regularly
•Other related duties/responsibilities and special projects as assigned.

1. Any combination totaling three (3) years (36 months) from the categories below:
   1. Coursework in fields directly related to turf management (such as in the management, maintenance, and operation of recreational areas, facilities, or equipment; diseases and insects; landscape construction; community recreation; plant science; soils; landscape design and management) as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
      • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
      • Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
      • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
      • Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
   2. Work experience in the professional maintenance of turf grass.
2. Certification by the Illinois Department of Agriculture as a Public Pesticide Operator in technical category area(s) applicable to work assignments of the position to be filled, as required by the Illinois Pesticide Act.
3. Current/valid State of Illinois driver’s license for the type(s) of vehicle(s) to be operated.

Illinois Residency Requirement: Pursuant to the State Universities Civil Service System, out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of the start date for this position.

Tips for Completing a Civil Service Application:
1. To be eligible for the role, ensure that your application includes a complete and detailed employment history that highlights your relevant full-time and part-time work experience, including start and end dates of employment.
2. Relevant part-time work experience will count towards the qualifications for this position and will be converted to full-time equivalence to calculate the total length of experience.
3. Upload all official transcripts to meet the educational requirements. If the job description specifies a minimum number of college hours, transcripts are mandatory for the successful processing of your application.
4. Veterans who qualify for preference must provide proof of eligibility within ten (10) working days of submitting an application, unless the same proof has already been submitted in a previous application. The required proof of eligibility includes, at a minimum, a copy of the veteran's DD214/DD215 form (Department of Defense), NGB22 form (National Guard), or Discharge Orders or DD256 Discharge Certificate (Reserves).
5. After the position has closed, your application and supporting materials will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications, including any specialty factors associated with this position. Those who qualify will move forward for Civil Service Examination/Testing.
6. Please monitor your e-mail for further information regarding your application. Emails will be generated from info@schooljobs.com.
7. For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at sucss.illinois.gov

About Civil Service Examination/Testing: The Civil Service examination for this classification is based on your application materials and responses to the supplemental questions. No participation other than submission of application materials is required from applicants that qualify to take the exam. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, your application will move forward for examination/testing in which you will receive a score calculated based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register by exam score. This score will be emailed to the email address noted on your application. After the application deadline, the names within the top three scores will be referred to the department for interview.

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available. For more information visit https://policies.siu.edu/policies/employment-non-us-citizens.php