Assistant Superintendent

Within the City of Hutchinson this position is titled Turf Specialist (Golf).

Under limited supervision by the Golf Course Superintendent, the Turf Specialist (Golf) 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 lower level full-time and seasonal grounds maintenance staff, operation and preventive maintenance work on a variety of turf care systems and specialized turf maintenance equipment. The individual in this position will have the opportunity to make fertilizer and chemical applications, be active in every step of full GPS of the irrigation system in 2024, learn and assist with basic equipment maintenance, learn controls of Hunter VSX satellite irrigation as well as Surveyor central control system, be responsible for setting up daily duties for staff on taskTracker digital job board and will be involved with renovations including new irrigation, construction of greens, tees and bunkers, drainage, etc. 

• 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.