Department:

Parks Recreation and Natural Resources

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Do you have expertise in turf and chemical application? Join Sarasota County’s Parks team as an Athletic Fields Spray Technician and play a key role in maintaining the fields where our community comes together to play, compete, and celebrate.

In this hands-on role, you’ll be responsible for the safe and effective application of herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals across 17th Street Regional Park and surrounding athletic fields and parks. You’ll also assist with ongoing park maintenance and improvements to help ensure our athletic facilities remain safe, healthy, and game-ready year-round.

The pay starts at $20.10 (Step 1), benefits begin within 60 days of hire, and there are opportunities for advancement. Apply today!

About the Position

• Herbicide, pesticide, and other chemical spray applications on athletic fields and within parks

• Manage the handling and storage of herbicides, fertilizers, fungicides, and pesticides

• Execute the Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) for athletic fields. Troubleshoot chemical deficiencies and apply proper corrective solutions of chemicals according to set standards. When dealing with continuous or predictable pests, take appropriate preventative measures to control plant damage

• Oversee and participate in the preparation and application of a variety of fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, and other pest and disease eradication and control chemicals, as  necessary                   

• Manage the handling, storage, and application of fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides

• Maintain records of chemicals used to ensure accurate product inventory and maintain compliance with state and federal law

• Perform proper calibration on chemical sprayers and granular spreaders

• Conduct field and grounds inspections to assess the presence of pests and general turf health

• 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 park patrols and general inspections of athletic facilities to ensure the safety of the public; report potential safety hazards or maintenance issues to the supervisor for follow-up, as necessary

• Assist other teams in the maintenance and improvement of parks, park amenities, and infrastructure

About the Schedule

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:

• High School Diploma or its equivalent AND two (2) years of experience with chemical application, athletic field maintenance and/or renovation

• Obtain a Turf and Ornamental Spray License within six months at time of hire

• Valid Florida driver's license at time of hire

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficient in the operation of heavy landscape and field maintenance equipment

• Proficient in the use of hand tools, power tools, materials and equipment applicable to the position

• Ability to endure long periods of standing, manual labor, and to work under hot and humid conditions

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 for a period of five years

Physical Demands: Employees in this role must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 lbs. Employees can use handling devices (dolly, cart, etc.) or work with another team member to lift and/or move excessive poundage of 50-plus pounds

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: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

• If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)  

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)  

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!
• For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.
• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. 
• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally. 

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.