Department:

Parks Recreation and Natural Resources

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Do you enjoy hands-on work and spending time outdoors? Are you experienced as a spray technician and knowledgeable in maintenance practices? If so, we want to hear from you!

Our Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Department is currently seeking an Athletic Fields Irrigation Technician with a focus on chemical applications. In this role, you’ll work daily in our award-winning parks and be primarily responsible for the safe and effective application of herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals at Wellfield Regional Park and surrounding athletic fields and park areas.

You’ll see the direct results of your efforts as you help keep Sarasota’s parks healthy, vibrant, and beautiful for the entire community to enjoy.

This position starts out paying $20.10/hr (Step 1), the benefits start within 60 days of hire, and there are plenty of opportunities for both growth and development. Come and apply today!

About the Position

In this role you'll...

• Perform maintenance, repairs, programming and adjustments in irrigation systems                                            
• Perform weekly sprinkler system operations inspections
• Maintain automatic irrigation systems in correct adjustments for time of year and rainfall amounts                           
• Disassemble, clean spray head and rotor head nozzles, adjust nozzles for proper head to head spray coverage
• Exercise a high degree of expertise, initiative and independent decision making to ensure proper function and effectiveness of systems
•  Conduct parks patrols and general inspections of athletic facilities to ensure the safety of the public and condition of the fields.  Reports potential safety hazards or maintenance issues to supervisor for follow up as necessary
• Assist with implementing annual renovation projects
• Perform field maintenance duties including aerating, mowing, vertical cutting, weed abatement, top dressing, and other duties as required
• 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.
• Conduct parks patrols and general inspections of athletic facilities to ensure the safety of the public; report potential safety hazards or maintenance issues to supervisor for follow up, as necessary
• Assist other teams in the maintenance and improvement of parks and park amenities and infrastructure

Work Hours:  

• Operating Days: Sunday - Saturday
• Full-Time, 40 hours per week
• 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:  

• A High School Diploma or its equivalent
• Two (2) years of experience in landscape or turf irrigation, athletic field maintenance and/or renovation
• Turf and Ornamental Spray License required within six months at the time of hire
• Valid Florida Driver’s License at time of hire

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to read chemical labels and read Material Data Sheets (MSDS)
• Ability to perform manual labor for extended periods, often under hot and humid conditions

Physical Demands: Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

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 Rate: $20.10 (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: