HEAD GROUNDSKEEPER

Position Head Groundkeeper

Reports To: SVP Operations & Sustainability

Department: Grounds

Manages People: Yes

About the Role

The Chicago Bears are seeking a Head Groundskeeper who will be responsible for the overall management, maintenance, safety, and preparation of all playing surfaces. The incumbent will develop and implement comprehensive turf management plans, monitor irrigation systems, perform field testing, and ensure the safety and optimal performance of the playing surfaces, all while adhering to NFL standards and regulations. This role leads a team of direct reports and is located at our training facility in Lake Forest, Illinois. Must be willing and able to work non-traditional hours including weekends and holidays, in order to support facility operating needs, team schedule, and events.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning

• Develop long-term Turf Management strategies, including capital improvement plans, to optimize surface performance and operating costs. 
• Oversee the annual operating budgets and capital plan, including managing costs associated with maintenance, repairs, leases, and contracts with service providers. 
• Develop operational plans with service providers and corresponding measurement systems to ensure services are provided according to service level expectations.
• Develop performance management system for all playing surfaces. Provide key stakeholders with regular reports on performance, and key metrics on safety and playability.
• Support Event operations relative to playing surface access, to preserve surface integrity while ensuring successful event planning and execution. Relocate equipment as needed.
• Represent the Club on NFL committees such as Safety, Injury Prevention and Turf Management best practices.
• Accountable for staff scheduling to ensure appropriate coverage.

Turf Management & Preparation

• Develop and execute seasonal field management plans based on weather conditions, usage, and field type. 
• Monitor soil conditions, perform soil tests, and adjust fertilization and pesticide applications accordingly. Ensure programs and treatments provide safe operating environment for team and adhere to all regulations. 
• Implement aeration, overseeding, and other turf maintenance practices to maintain optimal playing surface. 
• Manage irrigation systems, including monitoring moisture levels and adjusting as needed. 
• Prepare playing surfaces for games and practice sessions, including mowing, lining, and marking. 
• Coordinate field set-up and take-down for events, including goal post placement and temporary signage. 
• Inspect fields for potential hazards and address safety concerns immediately. 
• Collaborate and lead communication with coaches and other key stakeholders to align field usage and necessary rotation schedules.

Campus & Equipment Maintenance

• Regularly inspect and maintain all groundskeeping equipment, including mowers, tractors, aerifiers, and irrigation systems 
• Practice field heating system; Coordinate all phases of operation and maintenance of the system. 
• Monitor and coordinate all scheduling and removal of snow or ice.
• Accountable for all areas of landscape, including assessment of all trees and plantings on property and scheduling of removal or remediation.
• Assess and address hardscaped surfaces, asphalt, concrete driveways, walks, pavers, in collaboration with building operations
• Assist Lake County Forest Preserve by providing access and assisting with restoration of the Middlefork Savanah and protected wetlands.

Indoor Turf Management

• Coordinate usage and timing with Departments event schedules as it relates to team activities and impact to the synthetic surface.

• Develop and oversee maintenance programs for all indoor surfaces including sanitation, grooming and repairs.
• Schedule yearly testing (impact studies, infill depth, fiber wear, etc.) with the turf supplier. 

Stadium Playing Surface

• Ensure management of playing surface follows POA requirements and guidelines. This includes holding regular meetings during the season with Stadium Operator to survey the turf vigor and aesthetics. 
• Lead annual meetings with Stadium Operator reviewing previous season and plan for upcoming seasons.
• Coordinate with all departments on events or activities taking place on playing surfaces pre-game, halftime, or post-game.
• Coordinate re-sod schedule with scope determination and frequency.
• Recommend procurement of sod from various suppliers across the United States with input from Stadium Operator, consistent with other NFL clubs/stadiums in a comparable climate.
• Review and input into the yearly maintenance plan for all cultural practices.
• Document and photograph a game-by-game report for playing surface. 
• Coordinate various gameday protocols including tarp management, field heating plan, bench set up, field markings and snow plan. Test and record all values for the NFL recommended for Game Day Surfaces, log in to database with all values and certify the field is in compliance.
• Meet with the NFL Independent Tester each season for the yearly NFL Field Audit.

People Management & Development 

• Lead, inspire, and manage assistant groundskeepers with a team-first mentality. Foster a culture of inclusivity, innovation, and accountability. 
• Support staff by removing roadblocks and barriers to improve outcomes. 
• Oversee the development of assigned direct reports by providing guidance, coaching, goal setting, performance feedback and project management support. This includes ensuring direct reports understand and adhere to Club policies and procedures. 
• Establish communication methods within the department ensuring alignment with goals, standards, and individual expectations 
• Actively participate in Club provided leadership and development opportunities. This includes compliance with deadlines on training courses, performance evaluations, invoices, expenses, and/or budgets, as well as adhering to other directives, procedures, and policies assigned to people leaders. 
• Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Turf Management and Science or related field plus 5 years of relevant trade experience 
• 9+ years of Turf Management expertise 
• Technical Expertise - Expertise in operating a variety of groundskeeping equipment like mowers, trimmers, leaf blowers, and irrigation systems.
• Horticulture Knowledge – Comprehensive understanding of plant species (Bermuda and Kentucky Blue Grass required), care plan by season. 
• Experience with chemicals used for fertilizing and weed control.
• Expertise in managing facility budgets and optimizing costs. 
• Robust communication skills (written / verbal) with strong ability to tailor messaging across many stakeholder groups (Football Operations, Club Leadership, Staff, 3^rd Party Service Providers)
• Experience in developing policies, procedure documentation and training implementation
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, Procure to Pay Systems, Building Maintenance Software)
• Able to work non-traditional hours, in non-traditional settings, with flexibility to work weekends and nights

This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee.

What We Offer 

We remain committed to upholding the standard of being a first-class organization and employer of choice. 

COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY PAY

The Head Groundskeeper role is a full-time non-contract position. The expected salary range for this role is $125,000 - $145,000. The posting range provided above for salary is what we, in good faith, believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We ultimately pay based on a number of non-discriminatory factors that inform pay decisions including but not limited to the required work location, previous work experience, skill set and internal equity.

BENEFITS & PERKS 

• Core Coverage: 100% paid premium for healthcare and dental coverage, affordable vision offerings, 100% paid premium for disability and employee life insurance coverage, paid FMLA (including paid paternity leave)  
• Investments: employer paid pension plan, 401K with matching   
• Flexible Work Location: Up to 2 days a week of remote work (role dependent)  
• Time to Recharge: Minimum of 10 paid vacation days, 5 paid sick/mental health days, 4 paid floating holidays, plus 10 paid holidays, paid time off to volunteer  
• Experiences: complimentary home game tickets & parking, ability to buy tickets to away games and fan events  
• Wellness: FREE breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks, access to onsite fitness facilities and BearsFit, complimentary Calm app access  
• Professional Development: complimentary LinkedIn Learning access, leadership programming, guest speakers, and more   

Additional information on employee benefits can be found by visiting www.ChicagoBears.com/jobs.  

Chicago Bears Football Club, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

We seek to attract, retain, and develop top talent, regardless of personal characteristics, and we invite and encourage all individuals to apply for positions of interest. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, local law, ordinance, or regulation and will not be discriminated against on these bases.