Turf Care Groundskeeper I or II - Ballfield

Reports to: Manager-Turf Care

Department: Landscape Management

Status Fulltime Non-exempt

Role Profile: TS2 or TS3

About the Park and Central Park Conservancy

Central Park is one of the world's most famous and beloved public spaces. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1858, the 843-acre Park was the country's first purpose-built public park and is a National Historic Landmark and a New York Scenic Landmark. The Central Park Conservancy, a private, not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1980 to rescue the Park, which had fallen into serious disrepair. Since then, the Conservancy has overseen the investment of over $1.6 billion in the restoration of the Park, which now hosts over 40 million visitors a year.

The Conservancy is one of the largest and most successful public private partnerships in New York City and is considered a major civic institution given its impact on the health and vibrancy of both the Park and the City. The Conservancy’s mission is to preserve and celebrate Central Park as a sanctuary from urban life. The City of New York has formally entrusted the care of the Park to the Conservancy which is responsible for every aspect of its care, including landscape maintenance, capital improvements, and the visitor experience. The Conservancy employs roughly 400 people and has an annual operating budget of $100 million.

Position Summary

The Ballfield Groundskeeper in the Turf Care Management Department is responsible for the care and maintenance of the North Meadow Ballfields, ensuring high-quality playing conditions through specialized turf and infield maintenance practices. Working under the supervision of the Turf Care leadership team, the Ballfield Groundskeeper will focus primarily on baseball and softball field maintenance while supporting broader turf care initiatives as needed.

Summary of Essential Job Functions

Ballfield Maintenance:

• Perform daily infield maintenance, including dragging, rolling, and leveling playing surfaces.
• Conduct edging, painting, and preparation of pitching mounds, and home plates.
• Apply infield mix, topdressing, and conditioners as needed to maintain safe and playable surfaces.
• Perform all string trimming needed in and around the fields
• Set up and break down field layouts between baseball/softball and soccer season
• Assist in seasonal field renovations, including laser grading and sod installation.
• Assess field conditions during inclement weather for safety and communicate field status updates

Technical Operation:

• Assist in mowing and trimming turf areas parkwide.
• Perform aeration, overseeding, and fertilization in accordance with Turf Care Management Plan.
• Operate utility vehicles, mowers, tractors, drags, and field-specific grooming equipment.
• Support irrigation maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs as needed.
• Assist in chemical applications, including calibration, handling, and application of fertilizers and other treatments per regulations.
• Perform material additions, grading and leveling of soft surface areas and operation of associated equipment
• Safely operate heavy machinery such as front-end loaders, skid steer and trucks when required.
• Advanced knowledge of preventative maintenance on all machinery used in Turf Care parkwide operations
• Perform snow removal and ice mitigation on park drives, park perimeter and other hard surfaces with machines and physical labor to provide appropriate levels of access as per established organizational standards
• Maintain all plant beds in assigned sections, including weeding, mulching, raking and pruning, according to an established schedule to organizational standards
• Support waste management operation by picking up and performing proper disposal of trash/debris in the landscape and fence line.

Collaboration & Communication:

• Cooperate with other staff within Landscape Management and across departments to complete assigned tasks.
• Work alongside volunteers and interns, assisting with training as needed.
• Assist in the preparation of special events as needed
• Display the necessary initiative and dependability to work alone or in groups
• Interact with Park patrons and colleagues in a courteous and professional manner

Related Work:

• Operate various types of equipment including utility vehicles, loaders, lifts, trucks and tractors (including implements) as directed
• Maintain tools and equipment in good working order and report items that require repair
• Participate in all training sessions and seminars
• Report on malfunctioning infrastructure, furnishings, safety hazards, quality of life issues
• Perform related work as assigned

Minimum Requirements:

1. A four-year high school diploma or equivalent.
2. Two years of professional work experience in ballfield maintenance, turf care, or landscaping.
3. Valid driver’s license that must be maintained for the duration of employment.
4. Ability to work at least one weekend day as part of a five-day, forty-hour per week schedule

Additional Requirements for Assignment to Turf Care Groundskeeper I or II - Ballfield:

1. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to five years of professional experience in ballfield or turf maintenance.
2. Demonstrated competency in essential job functions.
3. CPC Internal Candidates – A satisfactory performance evaluation during each year of employment.

Abilities Required

• Ability to work overtime, weekends and holidays as needed
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and perform heavy physical labor on a daily basis in all weather conditions

Salary ranges (based on the level of experience):

Turf Care Groundskeeper I, Ballfield: $48K - $58K (based on level of experience)

Turf Care Groundskeeper II, Ballfield: $55K - $67K (based on level of experience)

Note: This position is in-person (not a remote role).

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The Central Park Conservancy’s work is guided by the belief that Central Park, and all public parks, must be managed and actively protected as an inclusive and democratic space for all.

Working closely with our New York City partners, we will always strive towards creating and sustaining a sense of belonging for all visitors and advocating for the equitable and accessible public use of the Park.

In service of this belief, we are committed to fostering a workforce and organizational culture that is as diverse as Central Park itself and the dynamic city it serves.

Safety Requirements

Establishment and maintenance of a safe work environment is the shared responsibility of this organization and employees at every level. The Conservancy will make every effort to assure a safe environment and be in compliance with federal, state, and local safety regulations. Employees are expected to obey safety rules and to exercise caution in all their work activities. Accordingly, employees should be aware of any hazards, which could cause an injury or accident (e.g., spills, obstacles in walkways, etc.). If an employee discovers a potential dangerous condition, he/she should alert other employees and notify his/her supervisor immediately.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.