Title:  Track Maintenance Lead

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for providing day-to-day work direction and performing hands-on maintenance, preparation, and repair of the dirt racing surface, training track, and related racing grounds. Coordinates assigned work crews, operates specialized track-maintenance equipment, supports race-day and training activities, and helps maintain safe, consistent, and high-quality racing conditions under the direction of the Director or Track Operations.

Pay Rate: $22.00/hour

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads and participates in the daily maintenance, preparation, and repair of the dirt racing surface, training track, and associated racing grounds under the direction of the Director of Track Operations.
• Provides day-to-day work direction to assigned seasonal Team Members, including assigning tasks, monitoring completion, and reinforcing established quality and safety standards.
• Performs harrowing, watering, rolling, sealing, floating, packing, dragging, and other surface-maintenance activities necessary to maintain safe and consistent track conditions.
• Operates tractors, water trucks, harrows, rollers, loaders, utility vehicles, and other specialized track-maintenance equipment safely and effectively.
• Assists with evaluating track moisture, cushion depth, compaction, drainage, and overall surface condition and promptly reports concerns or recommended adjustments to the Director of Track Operations.
• Coordinates and performs race-day preparation, including track conditioning, watering, equipment staging, surface inspections, starting-gate support, and other activities required for live racing.
• Performs track maintenance between races and assists with emergency or time-sensitive repairs to address holes, uneven areas, standing water, washouts, or other surface concerns.
• Prepares and maintains the racing surface for morning training, workouts, qualifying activity, special events, and other scheduled use.
• Assists with maintenance and repair of track rails, gaps, crossings, drainage systems, access roads, fencing, signage, and other track-related infrastructure.
• Monitors weather forecasts and changing track conditions and assists with implementing maintenance plans in response to rain, heat, freezing conditions, drought, or other environmental factors.
• Inspects assigned equipment before and after use, completes required checklists, identifies maintenance or repair needs, and reports unsafe or inoperable equipment promptly.
• Ensures assigned Team Members are trained and authorized before operating equipment and reinforces proper equipment operation, personal protective equipment, and safe work practices.
• Maintains accurate records of track maintenance activities, equipment use, inspections, materials, repairs, incidents, and other information as directed by the Director of Track Operations.
• Maintains track-maintenance shops, storage areas, equipment, tools, and supplies in a clean, safe, organized, and secure condition.
• Monitors supplies, materials, fuel, tools, and equipment and notifies the Director of Track Operations when replenishment, servicing, repair, or replacement is needed.
• Helps control access to active track-maintenance work areas and ensures work is performed with appropriate awareness of horses, riders, vehicles, and racing operations.
• Provides training, coaching, and guidance to assigned Team Members and promptly communicates attendance, performance, conduct, safety, or staffing concerns to the Turf Track Manager.
• Ensures assigned work is completed in accordance with Company policies, Racing department procedures, applicable safety requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Performs hands-on track and grounds maintenance work alongside assigned Team Members and provides operational coverage as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of dirt racetrack maintenance practices, including, harrowing, watering, rolling, sealing, drainage, surface repair, and moisture management.
• Knowledge of Thoroughbred racing operations, track preparation, and the factors that contribute to a safe and consistent racing surface preferred.
• Ability to safely operate tractors, graders, water trucks, loaders, utility vehicles, track-maintenance attachments, hand tools, and related machinery.
• Leadership skills with the ability to assign work, train Team Members, monitor progress, and provide clear day-to-day direction.
• Ability to evaluate surface and weather conditions, recognize potential safety or maintenance concerns, and communicate findings promptly.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining a safe, consistent, and professional racing environment.
• Ability to read and follow equipment instructions, safety procedures, maintenance schedules, written work orders, and product labels.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment where priorities may change based on weather, racing schedules, and track conditions.
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with Team Members, Racing personnel, horsemen, vendors, and other departments.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision while following the direction and standards established by the Turf Track Manager.
• Basic computer, mobile-device, and recordkeeping skills preferred.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Two to four years of experience in racetrack maintenance, heavy equipment operation, grounds maintenance, construction, agriculture, or a related field preferred.
• Prior lead experience or demonstrated ability to direct the work of others preferred.
• Experience maintaining a Thoroughbred dirt racing surface strongly preferred.
• Experience operating tractors, graders, water trucks, loaders, or comparable heavy equipment required.
• Knowledge of equipment inspection and routine preventive maintenance preferred.
• Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must obtain and maintain all licenses and permits required by the Virginia Racing Commission.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

• The Team Member will work primarily outdoors on the racetrack and surrounding grounds in varying weather and environmental conditions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is frequently required to stand and walk for extended periods; sit while operating equipment; use hands to handle tools and controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
• The Team Member will regularly operate tractors, graders, water trucks, utility vehicles, and other track- and grounds-maintenance equipment.
• The Team Member may be required to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds.
• The Team Member may be exposed to heat, cold, rain, humidity, dust, dirt, mud, noise, fumes, moving machinery, uneven surfaces, and other conditions typical of racetrack and grounds maintenance.
• The Team Member will work in proximity to horses, riders, vehicles, heavy equipment, and racing activity and must remain alert to changing conditions and follow established safety procedures.
• The Team Member will be required to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, long shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and live race days as business, racing, and weather conditions dictate.
• The noise level in the work environment may range from moderate to loud.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.