What are the responsibilities and job description for the Turf Specialist, Park Operations position at Forsyth County Government?
Salary
$55,839.00 - $72,592.00 Annually
Location
Cumming, GA
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
03495
Department
Parks & Recreation-Park Operations
Opening Date
01/05/2026
Closing Date
2/5/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Oversees maintenance and improvement of all county-owned turf areas, including athletic fields and public spaces. Manages natural and synthetic turf health, irrigation systems, pest control, equipment upkeep, and staff supervision. Ensures budget compliance and safety standards.
Develops and executes comprehensive maintenance plans for sports fields and grounds. Applies best practices in turfgrass nutrition, pest management, irrigation, and synthetic turf care. Establishes standards for sports surfaces and coordinates contractors and vendors on turf-related projects.
Essential Functions
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. other duties may be required and assigned.
Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processes employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals; conducts interviews and makes hiring recommendations.
Coordinates daily work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; conducts staff meetings; confers with assigned staff, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise. Monitors and enforces the County’s dress code and standards set by department’s executive team.
Oversees staff compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; ensures adherence to established safety procedures; monitors work environment and use of safety equipment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
Responsible for training staff from the Park Operations Division and Athletic Division regarding the use and maintenance of athletic fields. Evaluates and maintains an inventory of all athletic fields, within the County’s park system. Assists in transporting equipment from various park locations throughout the county for completion of daily tasks and projects.
Directs, supervises and assists in best practices for use and maintenance of county sports facilities and grounds.
Develop and implement turf management programs to insure healthy, high-quality turf conditions. Oversee mowing, fertilization, aeration, irrigation, pest and weed control, and soil testing. Implement sustainable landscaping practices to minimize environmental impact.
Works alongside Park Supervisors and other staff in field construction / repairs, irrigation management, and preventative maintenance. Makes recommendations to the Parks Operations Manager and Athletic Manager on future needs and budgetary items.
Plans, organizes, schedules, and oversees maintenance/repair projects for parks and recreation facilities; receives/prioritizes work orders and assigns repair projects to appropriate staff; evaluates job sites prior to commencement of projects; reviews monthly event charts and plans work activities around game/event schedules; ensures preparation/maintenance of athletic fields in appropriate condition for use for individual games, leagues, or tournaments. Prepares and monitors GIS work orders for staff daily, monthly, and annually.
Evaluates efficiency and effectiveness of division operations, equipment, materials, practices, and procedures; recommends or implements improvements as needed.
Inspects and monitors athletic fields, and park amenities to identify problems, needed repairs, or other situations requiring attention, such as vandalism, inoperative lighting, or broken sprinkler heads; reports problem situations to appropriate personnel. Coordinates daily, monthly and annual GIS inspections on department athletic fields and other amenities.
Performs administrative tasks; prepares daily and weekend work schedules to ensure adequate coverage; provides budgetary input and assists in monitoring expenditures; reviews employee timecards and submits for payment.
Maintains inventory of division equipment, tools, chemicals, supplies, and other materials; monitors inventory levels and ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct projects and work activities; initiates orders for new or replacement materials; picks up supplies or materials as needed.
Supervises and assists staff in maintaining park grounds, athletic fields, and related facilities; mows and edges park grounds, baseball/softball fields, and football/soccer fields; drags and grooms baseball/softball fields; measures, marks, lays out, and paints playing fields; paints foul lines and foul poles; repairs pitching rubbers, home plates, and bases; maintains infield areas by removing rocks, shifting/adding dirt, or filling in low areas; applies infield conditioner; maintains/top dresses turf; inspects and rakes sand around playground areas; aerates, seeds, fertilizes, and waters grounds; installs sod; applies herbicides and pesticides; rakes ground surfaces; disposes of litter and removes debris from grounds; repairs nets of tennis courts and basketball courts; installs or repairs fences; replaces, and repairs sprinkler systems and sprinkler heads; lays rock and concrete block around landscaped areas; cuts down trees/shrubs; digs holes/trenches and shovels/spreads materials.
Assists, and trains staff in proper synthetic turf management and practices. Grooms, drags and cleans synthetic turf. Oversees annual professional inspections and deep brushing / cleaning to prevent compaction. Responsible for concussion testing, repair and replacement, resealing or patching. Monitors drainage systems, infill material, wear and tear on high use areas. Conducts daily, monthly, and yearly inspections on synthetic turf.
Assists with setup of special events and other park / recreational activities.
Oversees and assists with operation of a variety of machinery, equipment, and tools associated with projects and work activities, which may include a utility truck, tractor, bobcat, aerator, sod cutter, tiller, field drag, mower, field rake, weed eater, edger, seed spreader, leaf blower, hedge trimmer, vacuum cleaner, paint machine, pressure washer, tile saw, chain saw, circular saw, grinder, drill, welder, shovel, rake, post hole digger, janitorial tools, gardening tools, mechanic tools, hand tools, ladder, or two-way radio.
Oversees general/preventive maintenance work necessary to keep vehicles, equipment and tools in operable condition, which may include inspecting/testing equipment, refueling vehicles, checking fluid levels, replacing fluids, greasing equipment, replacing parts, repairing tires, sharpening blades, washing/cleaning equipment, or cleaning shop/work areas; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; reports faulty equipment.
Transports, lifts, loads and unloads various equipment and materials used in projects.
Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, budget documents, equipment maintenance records, purchase requisitions, inspection forms, performance appraisals, or other documents.
Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, budget reports, expenditure records, purchase records, timecards, event schedules, work orders, invoices, receipts, maintenance records, field diagrams, electrical diagrams, material safety data sheets, operational manuals, procedures, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
Communicates with supervisor, employees, community service workers, inmate workers, other departments, law enforcement personnel, athletic leagues/organizations, vendors, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, resolve problems, or give/receive advice/direction.
Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable regulations, policies, and procedures; maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.
Additional Functions
This classification is designated as a safety sensitive position which is subject to random drug and alcohol testing and any other drug testing methods as stated in policies adopted by Forsyth County concerning drug and alcohol.
Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Performs other related duties as required.
Bachelor’s degree in turfgrass management or closely related field; supplemented by three (3) years previous experience and/or training that includes landscape management, turf management, field restoration, irrigation system operations, equipment operation, and basic supervision; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license. Possession of Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s license or obtain license within the first 6 months.
Benefits Provided By Forsyth County To Full-time Employees
Personal Leave Accrual
Personal Leave Shall Be Accrued As Follows
0 - 4 Years - 20 days per year - 6.16 hours per pay period
5 - 14 Years - 25 days per year - 7.70 hours per pay period
15 Years - 30 days per year - 9.24 hours per pay period
Observed Holidays
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving (2), and Christmas (2).
Medical Insurance
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners offers employees a choice of two medical plans offered by Aetna and a plan offered by Kaiser Permanente.
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners offers two dental plans from Delta Dental:
The vision plan offered by Forsyth County Board of Commissioners is administered by Aetna and will offer office visit copays for exams, as well as copays for lenses, frames, and contacts.
Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners recognizes the importance of basic life insurance for all of its employees. The Board provides term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) protection for each full-time employee. This is a County-paid benefit.
Disability Insurance – Short Term and Long Term
100% paid by Forsyth County. Eligibility begins date of hire.
Short Term Disability – 60% of weekly earnings to a maximum of $1,000.00 a week. Eligibility begins 14 days after an accident or sickness and has a benefit period of 24 weeks.
Long Term Disability – 60% of monthly earnings to a maximum of $5,000.00 a month. Eligibility begins at 26 weeks to coordinate with the end of Short Term benefits and continues 24 months (Own Occupation).
Additional Life Insurance And AD&D
Rates vary based on amount of coverage selected. Additional life insurance may be purchased for employee, spouse, and children.
Retirement Plan (401K)
Fully vested at five years of employment – 20% graduated vesting annually. Eligible to begin contributions immediately upon hire.
Six Months through One Year of County Service
Forsyth County matches your contributions, dollar for dollar, up to 5% of your pay. That’s a 100% return on the first 5% of pay you save.
Years One through Five
Forsyth County “seeds” your account with 5% of your pay each year, and matches 100% of what you contribute, up to 5% of your pay.
Years 5 through 10
The County continues its automatic “seed” contribution of 5% of pay, matches up to the first 5% of pay that you contribute, then adds a 50% match up to the next 5%.
After 10 Years of Service
You continue to receive a 100% County match on the first 5% of pay you contribute, and 50% on the next 5% of pay you save. But now, the automatic contribution the County makes to “seed” your account each year increases to 7.5% of your pay.
01
Do you have a Bachelor’s degree in turfgrass management or closely related field?
Do you have at least three (3) years previous experience and/or training that includes landscape management, turf management, field restoration, irrigation system operations, equipment operation, and basic supervision?
Do you have a valid driver's license?
Employer Forsyth County
Address 110 East Main Street
Suite 230
Cumming, Georgia, 30040
Phone (770) 781-3088
Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/forsyth/default.cfm
$55,839.00 - $72,592.00 Annually
Location
Cumming, GA
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
03495
Department
Parks & Recreation-Park Operations
Opening Date
01/05/2026
Closing Date
2/5/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
- Description
- Benefits
- Questions
Oversees maintenance and improvement of all county-owned turf areas, including athletic fields and public spaces. Manages natural and synthetic turf health, irrigation systems, pest control, equipment upkeep, and staff supervision. Ensures budget compliance and safety standards.
Develops and executes comprehensive maintenance plans for sports fields and grounds. Applies best practices in turfgrass nutrition, pest management, irrigation, and synthetic turf care. Establishes standards for sports surfaces and coordinates contractors and vendors on turf-related projects.
Essential Functions
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. other duties may be required and assigned.
Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processes employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals; conducts interviews and makes hiring recommendations.
Coordinates daily work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; conducts staff meetings; confers with assigned staff, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise. Monitors and enforces the County’s dress code and standards set by department’s executive team.
Oversees staff compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; ensures adherence to established safety procedures; monitors work environment and use of safety equipment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
Responsible for training staff from the Park Operations Division and Athletic Division regarding the use and maintenance of athletic fields. Evaluates and maintains an inventory of all athletic fields, within the County’s park system. Assists in transporting equipment from various park locations throughout the county for completion of daily tasks and projects.
Directs, supervises and assists in best practices for use and maintenance of county sports facilities and grounds.
Develop and implement turf management programs to insure healthy, high-quality turf conditions. Oversee mowing, fertilization, aeration, irrigation, pest and weed control, and soil testing. Implement sustainable landscaping practices to minimize environmental impact.
Works alongside Park Supervisors and other staff in field construction / repairs, irrigation management, and preventative maintenance. Makes recommendations to the Parks Operations Manager and Athletic Manager on future needs and budgetary items.
Plans, organizes, schedules, and oversees maintenance/repair projects for parks and recreation facilities; receives/prioritizes work orders and assigns repair projects to appropriate staff; evaluates job sites prior to commencement of projects; reviews monthly event charts and plans work activities around game/event schedules; ensures preparation/maintenance of athletic fields in appropriate condition for use for individual games, leagues, or tournaments. Prepares and monitors GIS work orders for staff daily, monthly, and annually.
Evaluates efficiency and effectiveness of division operations, equipment, materials, practices, and procedures; recommends or implements improvements as needed.
Inspects and monitors athletic fields, and park amenities to identify problems, needed repairs, or other situations requiring attention, such as vandalism, inoperative lighting, or broken sprinkler heads; reports problem situations to appropriate personnel. Coordinates daily, monthly and annual GIS inspections on department athletic fields and other amenities.
Performs administrative tasks; prepares daily and weekend work schedules to ensure adequate coverage; provides budgetary input and assists in monitoring expenditures; reviews employee timecards and submits for payment.
Maintains inventory of division equipment, tools, chemicals, supplies, and other materials; monitors inventory levels and ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct projects and work activities; initiates orders for new or replacement materials; picks up supplies or materials as needed.
Supervises and assists staff in maintaining park grounds, athletic fields, and related facilities; mows and edges park grounds, baseball/softball fields, and football/soccer fields; drags and grooms baseball/softball fields; measures, marks, lays out, and paints playing fields; paints foul lines and foul poles; repairs pitching rubbers, home plates, and bases; maintains infield areas by removing rocks, shifting/adding dirt, or filling in low areas; applies infield conditioner; maintains/top dresses turf; inspects and rakes sand around playground areas; aerates, seeds, fertilizes, and waters grounds; installs sod; applies herbicides and pesticides; rakes ground surfaces; disposes of litter and removes debris from grounds; repairs nets of tennis courts and basketball courts; installs or repairs fences; replaces, and repairs sprinkler systems and sprinkler heads; lays rock and concrete block around landscaped areas; cuts down trees/shrubs; digs holes/trenches and shovels/spreads materials.
Assists, and trains staff in proper synthetic turf management and practices. Grooms, drags and cleans synthetic turf. Oversees annual professional inspections and deep brushing / cleaning to prevent compaction. Responsible for concussion testing, repair and replacement, resealing or patching. Monitors drainage systems, infill material, wear and tear on high use areas. Conducts daily, monthly, and yearly inspections on synthetic turf.
Assists with setup of special events and other park / recreational activities.
Oversees and assists with operation of a variety of machinery, equipment, and tools associated with projects and work activities, which may include a utility truck, tractor, bobcat, aerator, sod cutter, tiller, field drag, mower, field rake, weed eater, edger, seed spreader, leaf blower, hedge trimmer, vacuum cleaner, paint machine, pressure washer, tile saw, chain saw, circular saw, grinder, drill, welder, shovel, rake, post hole digger, janitorial tools, gardening tools, mechanic tools, hand tools, ladder, or two-way radio.
Oversees general/preventive maintenance work necessary to keep vehicles, equipment and tools in operable condition, which may include inspecting/testing equipment, refueling vehicles, checking fluid levels, replacing fluids, greasing equipment, replacing parts, repairing tires, sharpening blades, washing/cleaning equipment, or cleaning shop/work areas; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; reports faulty equipment.
Transports, lifts, loads and unloads various equipment and materials used in projects.
Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, budget documents, equipment maintenance records, purchase requisitions, inspection forms, performance appraisals, or other documents.
Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, budget reports, expenditure records, purchase records, timecards, event schedules, work orders, invoices, receipts, maintenance records, field diagrams, electrical diagrams, material safety data sheets, operational manuals, procedures, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
Communicates with supervisor, employees, community service workers, inmate workers, other departments, law enforcement personnel, athletic leagues/organizations, vendors, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, resolve problems, or give/receive advice/direction.
Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable regulations, policies, and procedures; maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.
Additional Functions
This classification is designated as a safety sensitive position which is subject to random drug and alcohol testing and any other drug testing methods as stated in policies adopted by Forsyth County concerning drug and alcohol.
Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Performs other related duties as required.
Bachelor’s degree in turfgrass management or closely related field; supplemented by three (3) years previous experience and/or training that includes landscape management, turf management, field restoration, irrigation system operations, equipment operation, and basic supervision; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license. Possession of Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s license or obtain license within the first 6 months.
Benefits Provided By Forsyth County To Full-time Employees
Personal Leave Accrual
Personal Leave Shall Be Accrued As Follows
0 - 4 Years - 20 days per year - 6.16 hours per pay period
5 - 14 Years - 25 days per year - 7.70 hours per pay period
15 Years - 30 days per year - 9.24 hours per pay period
Observed Holidays
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving (2), and Christmas (2).
Medical Insurance
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners offers employees a choice of two medical plans offered by Aetna and a plan offered by Kaiser Permanente.
- Aetna Choice POS II - $2000 Individual Deductible (Basic Plan)
- Aetna Choice POS II - $1000 Individual Deductible (Plus Plan)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO- $0 Individual Deductible
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners offers two dental plans from Delta Dental:
- Base $1,000 Plan
- Buy-Up $1,500 Plan
The vision plan offered by Forsyth County Board of Commissioners is administered by Aetna and will offer office visit copays for exams, as well as copays for lenses, frames, and contacts.
Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners recognizes the importance of basic life insurance for all of its employees. The Board provides term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) protection for each full-time employee. This is a County-paid benefit.
Disability Insurance – Short Term and Long Term
100% paid by Forsyth County. Eligibility begins date of hire.
Short Term Disability – 60% of weekly earnings to a maximum of $1,000.00 a week. Eligibility begins 14 days after an accident or sickness and has a benefit period of 24 weeks.
Long Term Disability – 60% of monthly earnings to a maximum of $5,000.00 a month. Eligibility begins at 26 weeks to coordinate with the end of Short Term benefits and continues 24 months (Own Occupation).
Additional Life Insurance And AD&D
Rates vary based on amount of coverage selected. Additional life insurance may be purchased for employee, spouse, and children.
Retirement Plan (401K)
Fully vested at five years of employment – 20% graduated vesting annually. Eligible to begin contributions immediately upon hire.
Six Months through One Year of County Service
Forsyth County matches your contributions, dollar for dollar, up to 5% of your pay. That’s a 100% return on the first 5% of pay you save.
Years One through Five
Forsyth County “seeds” your account with 5% of your pay each year, and matches 100% of what you contribute, up to 5% of your pay.
Years 5 through 10
The County continues its automatic “seed” contribution of 5% of pay, matches up to the first 5% of pay that you contribute, then adds a 50% match up to the next 5%.
After 10 Years of Service
You continue to receive a 100% County match on the first 5% of pay you contribute, and 50% on the next 5% of pay you save. But now, the automatic contribution the County makes to “seed” your account each year increases to 7.5% of your pay.
01
Do you have a Bachelor’s degree in turfgrass management or closely related field?
- Yes
- No
Do you have at least three (3) years previous experience and/or training that includes landscape management, turf management, field restoration, irrigation system operations, equipment operation, and basic supervision?
- Yes
- No
Do you have a valid driver's license?
- Yes
- No
Employer Forsyth County
Address 110 East Main Street
Suite 230
Cumming, Georgia, 30040
Phone (770) 781-3088
Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/forsyth/default.cfm
Salary : $55,839 - $72,592