Groundskeepers maintain facilities such as golf courses, parks, athletic tracks and other large sports grounds. They are responsible for keeping the turf field in tip-top condition, as well as looking after the rest of the grounds, where they do similar tasks to gardeners, or else supervise others doing these duties.
Duties of groundskeepers include the following: supervision of regular mowing, fertilising and aeration of fields; application of chemicals and fungicides to control weeds and crabgrass and to prevent diseases; and ensuring that the underlying soil has the proper consistency to sustain new sod. Groundskeepers also mark out boundaries and paint team logos and names on the turf before sporting events.
They need to have thorough knowledge of aspects such as soil erosion and pest and disease control. Some groundskeepers are also responsible for keeping machinery in working order, so some knowledge of mechanics is useful.
Satisfying Aspects
- working outdoors in attractive surroundings
- working with nature
- satisfaction of providing even and lush grass or other surfaces for others
- variety of work
Demanding aspects
- working in adverse weather conditions
- the physical work can be tiring
- dealing with difficult committee club members and pressure to finish certain jobs on time
Requirements
A groundskeeper should:
- love working outdoors in all types of weather;
- have good health and physical fitness;
- have supervisory and organizational abilities;
- be reliable, hard-working and honest;
- some mechanical ability;
- have knowledge of grasses and the structure of sports fields and pitches;
- be able to operate machines such as lawnmowers and brush cutters.
School Subjects
No specific requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: None
Recommended Subjects: Agricultural Sciences, Life Sciences
Training
Groundskeepers are usually trained by their first employers to meet specific requirements and learn by experience, sometimes under the guidance of a senior groundskeeper.
Employer
- Administrative bodies of large sports stadiums
- Schools, universities and educational institutions with sports facilities
- Sports clubs and public or private recreational facilities