Department: Parks & Recreation
Supervisor: Parks & Recreation Supervisor – Recreation Complex
Location: Recreation Complex
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Prepared By: Talent Acquisition Coordinator
Prepared Date: November 2025
Union: AFSCME
Pay Grade: 20 ($26.72/HR with step increases to $33.34/HR)
Apply at: https://selfservice.councilbluffs-ia.gov/ess/employmentopportunities/default.aspx

Summary: Performs highly skilled technical and diagnostic work in the maintenance and repair of tournament quality athletic fields, their grounds, and their turf.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Ensures proper care and maintenance of athletic turf:

• Inspects athletic turf daily identifying conditions requiring mowing, watering, treatment of insects/fungus/diseases, damage from player use, etc. and initiates appropriate action to address any turf conditions identified
• Determines chemical treatments, mixes, and applies herbicides/pesticides/fungicides as necessary and evaluates results
• Monitors the amount of turf chemicals and other treatment materials on hand; reports findings to Parks & Recreation Supervisor; and orders materials as necessary
• Operates and maintains grounds/turf equipment such as tractors, riding mowers, trucks, snow plows, spreaders, sprayers, and aerators
• Operates/manages irrigation systems making repairs as necessary o Lays out playing fields to correct dimensions
• Assists Parks & Recreation Supervisor in providing turf improvements including planning and construction
• Mows athletic fields and other park areas in aesthetically pleasing patterns utilizing high quality mowers

Ensures proper care and maintenance of ball diamond infield areas:

• Inspects playing infields including grass and argi lime/mixed dirt infields to determine maintenance needs for upcoming play, practice, or off-season maintenance
• Determines maintenance needs for artificial mounds, clay mounds, and batter’s boxes
• Initiates appropriate action to address playing field conditions which may include grading, dragging, watering, addressing indentations, mowing, lining, and installing bases/plates
• Evaluates the daily play schedule and sets up the infields accordingly
• Assists Parks & Recreation Supervisor in providing infield related improvements to include planning & operation of specialized equipment
• Performs minor repairs to field fencing, backstops, benches, bleachers, and other amenities

Maintains effective working relationships with other City staff, users, and the public:

• Discusses field availability and field conditions with Parks & Recreation Supervisor and other department staff to aid in decisions regarding scheduling, field usage, and playability
• Interacts with the public and tournament/league officials regarding field conditions
• Interacts with other staff regarding condition of playing facilities as they effect public use
• Responds to questions and complaints from the public regarding field conditions as directed
• Provides oversight to work of full-time employees, part-time employees, and seasonal employees when participating in turf and field preparation and facility related improvement projects
• Consults with Parks & Recreation Supervisor when available and makes independent decisions when necessary

Regular and predictable attendance is required

Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly supervises a small crew of employees within the Parks & Recreation Department to include seasonal employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints; and resolving problems.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED)
• Two (2) years of college with an emphasis in Turf Management, Plant Science, or related area
• Two (2) years of experience in sports field related maintenance with progressively responsible experience
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Valid Driver’s License
• Within six (6) months of employment, incumbent must obtain a Turf and Ornamental Pesticide Applicator’s License issued by the State of Iowa

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and see, talk, and hear.

• The employee must be able to occasionally lift and work with up to seventy (70) pounds.
• The employee must be able to frequently lift and work with up to twenty (20) pounds.
• The employee must be able to continuously lift and work with up to ten (10) pounds.
• Must have the ability to work both in and out of doors in all weather conditions.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of and the ability to perform spraying, fertilizing, and turf maintenance activities unique to tournament quality athletic fields

• Ability to identify most turf grass diseases, weeds, insects, and turf stress problems and experience in selecting treatment methods associated with these conditions for tournament quality athletic fields

• Ability to prepare tournament quality infields and other grounds for league and tournament play

• Good knowledge of the techniques to use to adapt infields/grounds to play during inclement weather

• Ability to operate specialized equipment utilized for professional turf and field maintenance
• Ability to maintain records and prepare reports
• Ability to communicate with others and the public
• Must be able to wear safety equipment required