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Groundskeeper & Operations Manager

Aberdeen, MD

Attain Sports brings a community-focused, values-driven, and player-centric approach to connect diverse groups and create impact through the power of sports. The company was formed in 2021 and presents an affordable, family-friendly sports and entertainment portfolio that brings a commitment to community engagement, customer service, innovation, and the professional growth and development of its family of athletes and employees.

Attain Sports owns and manages four baseball teams: the Baltimore Orioles Double-A affiliate Chesapeake Baysox, the Baltimore Orioles High-A affiliate Aberdeen IronBirds, the MLB Draft League Frederick Keys, and the Atlantic League Professional Baseball Club Spire City Ghost Hounds. Additionally, Attain Sports is an owner of the United Soccer League (USL) Championship Club Loudoun United FC.

 

Position Overview

The Aberdeen IronBirds are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Groundskeeper & Operations Manager to oversee the maintenance of the club’s artificial turf playing surface with dirt mound and home plate, while also managing day-to-day ballpark operations. The position is responsible for ensuring a safe, professional, and game-ready field, as well as coordinating stadium operations to deliver an exceptional experience for players, staff, partners, and fans.

The IronBirds host 40 home games as part of the MLB Draft League schedule, in addition to other events throughout the year.

Job Responsibilities

  • Field & Grounds Management (70% of responsibilities)
    • Maintain and prepare a professional-quality artificial turf field with dirt mound and home plate in accordance with league standards
    • Perform regular grooming, cleaning, and inspection of turf fibers, infill levels, seams, and transitions
    • Manage mound and home plate clay maintenance, including daily prep, rebuilding, and game-day adjustments
    • Coordinate field setup and breakdown for games, practices, workouts, and non-baseball events
    • Monitor field conditions and respond to weather-related issues, including heat management, drainage, and surface safety
    • Implement preventative maintenance programs for turf longevity and player safety 
    • Assist in the development and management of the grounds and operations budget 
    • Ensure compliance with MLB Draft League field and safety standards in addition to local regulations and additional league requirements 
    • Track inventory, supplies, and equipment for turf, mound maintenance, and stadium operations
    • Hire, train, and supervise seasonal and part-time grounds and operations staff
    • Manage relationships with vendors and contractors related to turf care, field equipment, and facility services
  • Ballpark Operations (30% of responsibilities)
    • Oversee daily ballpark operations, including facilities readiness, grounds, and event setup
    • Manage game-day operations related to field, stadium preparation, and post-game breakdown
    • Coordinate with internal departments (baseball operations, front office, food & beverage, security, and promotions)
    • Develop and manage operational timelines and staffing plans for all home games and events
    • Serve as an operations lead for emergency preparedness and response on game days
    • Assist with stadium improvement project renovations, and long-term maintenance planning
    • Ensure the ballpark is clean, safe, and fully operational at all times
    • Enforce safety protocols for staff, players, and fans
    • Ensure proper maintenance and safe use of all grounds and facility equipment
    • Schedule staff for home games and special events

 

Required Skills

  • Bachelor’s degree in turf management, sports management, facilities management, or related field preferred
  • 3-5 years of experience with artificial turf field maintenance and/or stadium operations
  • Direct experience maintaining dirt mound and home plate at a high level of play
  • Strong understanding of artificial turf systems, infill management, drainage, and field safety standards
  • Proven leadership experience managing staff and vendors 
  • Ability to work long and irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays
  • Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to perform physically demanding work in varying weather conditions 

 

Preferred Experience
  • Experience in professional baseball, collegiate athletics, or elite amateur leagues 
  • Familiarity with MLB Draft League or MLB field standards
  • Experience managing multi-use ballparks and special events

 

 

 

Additional Information

Attain Sports values your mental, emotional, and physical health and wellbeing. Our comprehensive benefits package starts on your first day of employment and includes benefits such as:

  • Competitive health, dental, and vision coverage, HSA and FSA accounts, life and disability insurance, fertility and family planning benefits, and employee assistance and discount programs
  • 11 paid federal holidays and flexible unlimited time off (UTO)
  • Generous 401(k) matching with immediate vesting
  • Flexible career paths – our career tracks provide advancement, mobility, and flexibility as you continue to grow with us
  • A healthy environment where we value unique experiences, and care about everything that makes you, you.

 

Attain Sports is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. Individual base salary for this position is unique to each candidate and will be commensurate with experience, education, and skills, ranging from $50,000 - $55,000. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus and commission based on achieving certain metrics.

Interested in this position but the compensation isn’t quite right? Let us know your expectations, and we’ll see if we can make it happen based on your qualifications.

 

Attain Sports is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. For more Information visit EEO, EEO Poster Supplement, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA). 

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process. 

 

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