Job Details

City of Portland - Athletic Facilities Foreperson

Position Number: 7129486
Location: Portland, ME
Position Type: Athletics/Coaching

City of Portland - Athletic Facilities Foreperson

About the City of Portland Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department:

The Portland Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Department is comprised of 160 full-time and over 250 seasonal staff dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Portland, Maine. They achieve this by operating cultural venues, running community programs (including Before and After School, Swim Lessons, and Senior Adult programs), and maintaining public buildings, waterfront infrastructure, 70 parks, 40+ miles of trails, 13 cemeteries, and 30 playgrounds. Their diverse team, including Park Maintainers, Lifeguards, Event Managers, Horticulturalists, and many others, works collaboratively to provide spaces and opportunities for social connection, recreation, and community development.

Job Summary:

This is a supervisory position involving the direction of employees engaged in the construction, maintenance and management of City owned natural and synthetic turf athletic fields and surrounding facilities. This position requires excellent communication and customer service skills.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Oversees the application of all synthetic and organic herbicides and pesticides; waters and fertilizes grounds; maintains written records on work activities and pesticide applications to comply with the Maine Department of Agriculture, the Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department's Integrated Pest Management plan and the City of Portland's Pesticide Ordinance.
Provides instruction to individuals and crews on equipment usage and safety, ensuring compliance with local, state and federal regulations and departmental work rules.
Sets irrigation system schedules and adjusts accordingly to drought, wet or unusual weather.
Supervises snow plowing, removal and sanding operations in various locations including natural grass and synthetic athletic fields; assists other City departments in snow operations.

Required Skills & Experience:

Ability to operate, maintain and troubleshoot irrigation and drainage systems.
Ability to identify turf diseases and knowledge of proper response.
Develop and implement a plan to repair wear areas during season on an emergency basis.
Understand and have working knowledge of soil chemical properties, i.e., soil acidity/alkalinity, cation exchange capacity, salt concentrations, phytotoxic contaminants and nutrient availability.
Perform volume calculations for topdressing materials, skinned area clay mixes or other products used in sports field management.
Understand the components of a fertilizer label, fertilizer formulations, ratios, and analysis and how to calculate the nutrients applied by a specific rate on a specified area.
Perform area calculations for geometric configurations used in sports fields.
Identify weeds (grasses, sedges and broadleaves) and understand their growth cycles in both cool and warm season grasses. Understand climatic conditions and management practices which may influence weed development.
Understand the development and implementation of a pre-game field safety inspection program and checklist, including equipment, trash removal, irrigation equipment, signage, placement of field equipment, out of play areas, and communication equipment.
Familiarity with municipal procurement procedures and basic budget tracking protocols.
Must possess a valid Class C driver's license.
Must have and maintain a good driving record.
Must possess a certificate in Turfgrass Management or obtain within the probationary period and/or within (6) months of appointment to the position.
Must possess a valid Maine Commercial Pesticide License in Turf (3B) and Utility Right of Way Vegetation Management (6A) or another state's equivalent which must be transferred to a State of Maine License within the probationary period and/or within (6) months of appointment to the position.
Accredited Organic Land Care Professional (AOLCP) within the probationary period and/or within (6) months of appointment to the position.
First Aid & CPR training required.

Expected Hours/Schedule:

Monday-Friday, 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., with occasional weekends.

Applications accepted until May 15, 2026.

Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check.

Salary & Benefits:

This is a union position, Supervisors, Grade 26, Starting salary range: $25.60-$30.18/hour, based on experience.

The City of Portland prides itself on its outstanding benefits and collegial and mission-driven work environment.
City benefits include:

Free employee health insurance with the completion of wellness incentives
Thirteen paid holidays
Sick, vacation, and personal leave
Life, dental, vision and income protection insurances
Choice of retirement plans, including a pension plan
Use of City recreation facilities
Fitness Reimbursement
Discount on professional development programs through USM and Thomas College

If you have any questions or need assistance with the application, please email Human Resources at jobs@portlandmaine.gov or call 207-874-8624.

The City of Portland believes that to do our best work, our employees need to reflect the diverse, vibrant community we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to celebrating all dimensions of diversity in the workplace. Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you need to request a reasonable accommodation, please call 207-874-8624 or email hrinfo@portlandmaine.gov.

To apply, visit https://selfservice.portlandmaine.gov/ess/EmploymentOpportunities/JobDetail.aspx?req=215&sreq=6&form=1000&desc=ATHLETIC%20FACILITIES%20FOREPERSON