Imagine if you were given an opportunity to connect with others who want to keep our community the most livable and safe it can possibly be. If you enjoy working outside and turf maintenance, you may be a great addition to our Golf Course Maintenance team. Make a difference with the City of Hutchinson!

The Golf - Turf Specialist leads, coordinates and participates in the work of crews responsible for maintaining turf, irrigation systems and maintenance equipment within the City's golf course division. The work involves exercising functional and technical supervision over full-time and seasonal grounds maintenance staff, operation and preventive maintenance work on a variety of turf care systems and specialized turf maintenance equipment. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Maintenance Technician by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned in addition to performing lead supervisory responsibilities for full-time as well as seasonal staff with a focus on plant health, whereas the Maintenance Technician may perform lead supervision of a single small crew of seasonal staff with a focus on equipment maintenance on an occasional basis or required basis. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Employees act on their own initiative to eliminate defects when deficiencies are discovered.

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

• Lead, plan, train and review the work of crews responsible for a comprehensive program for maintaining warm and cool season turf grasses and all related systems.
• Plan, direct, and participate in the maintenance program for natural turf areas, irrigation systems, pest management programs and special projects related to the construction, renovation, and repair of turf areas.
• Participate in a variety of plant maintenance and landscape duties including trimming shrubs, pulling weeds, watering plants.
• Verify the work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications motivating employees to achieve peak productivity and performance; trains personnel in correct and safe operating procedures; disseminate and interpret instructions provided to employees using appropriate forms of communication.
• Surveys turf areas to determine irrigation requirements for various growing conditions, develops an appropriate watering plan, and accurately operates, programs, or adjusts controllers for automated systems or hand waters turf daily as required.
• Installs, troubleshoots and repairs broken water lines, valves, heads for sprinkling system and performs related work to maintain efficient operation of the golf course irrigation system.
• Oversees the application of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers; ensure compliance with established safety procedures. Collect soil samples for analysis and interpret results in order to treat soil; decide appropriate type and quantity of fertilizer and herbicide to be applied to turf. Operates equipment to apply these chemicals and fertilizers to grass for the control of weeds, pests and grass diseases. Maintain department records for chemical applications and inventory.
• Oversees, and participates in major golf course renovation projects, as assigned; schedules, facilitates, oversees, and quality controls reconstruction activities, including the work of external contractors.
• Operates and maintains maintenance equipment, parts and supplies.
• Performs minor maintenance tasks on motorized equipment such as cleaning, greasing, sharpening blades, and making tire repairs.
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED FOR SUCCESS:

• EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree or certificate in Agronomy, Turf Management, Horticulture, or an equivalent discipline is required. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
• EXPERIENCE: A minimum of 3 years of experience in turf management, construction and/or maintenance or related experience is required. At least one year of crew leader or supervisory experience is preferred. Experience using/operating reel mowers, backhoes, skid loaders, spraying equipment, tractors, trucks, and/or other related equipment is required. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
• LICENSE: Must possess a valid Kansas Driver's License within three months of employment. Employee must be able to acquire a Kansas Commercial Pesticide Applicators Certification (3B) within one year of employment.

The City of Hutchinson employs over 400 employees that serve our community every day. City employees make Hutchinson a great place to live, work, and play. We take pride in our work, and it shows. Come be a part of a workforce that makes a difference! We're always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team.

City of Hutchinson is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.