Job Description

General Description

The City of Madison Parks Division is looking to hire our next lead Golf Course Superintendent. The successful candidate will play an integral role in maintaining the municipal golf courses in an efficient and effective manner, with the goal of improving course conditions and environmental sustainability practices. This position will be responsible for oversight of one 18-hole course and one 9-hole course, with support from a Golf Course Superintendent 1 based at the 9-hole course.

This is advanced-level greenskeeping and planning work on multiple municipal golf courses and involves the performance of a wide variety of greenskeeping functions and responsibility for planning and maintenance activities. The work is characterized by independent judgment in the technical aspects of golf course maintenance. In coordination with the Golf Program Director, this position assists in planning for overall course needs and maintenance activities. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Golf Program Director, or other higher level staff, who reviews the work periodically (through inspection and/or administrative review) for compliance with program objectives.

The successful candidate will oversee a large staff of permanent and hourly employees and is expected to independently perform the required functions of the position.

The standard work week is 40 hours, with work hours generally falling between 5:00 am and 3:00 pm. Daily start and end times will vary by season depending on business need.

Pay increases will occur following the successful completion of 6, 18, 30, and 42 months of employment (or until the maximum step of the pay range is reached), subject to the Compensation Group 16/Range 15 salary schedule. Longevity pay increases begin at the start of the fifth year of continuous employment, consistent with the Madison General Ordinances and the Employee Benefits Handbook for General Municipal Employees (Download PDF reader).

This position is eligible for overtime pay, consistent with the Handbook. It is expected that the employee will work 8-10 hours of weekly overtime to provide adequate coverage on weekends during the golf season. Based on historical averages of overtime hours worked, it is estimated this can result in overtime pay in the range of $12,000 to $16,000 annually in addition to the regular stated salary.

The City of Madison is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesnt match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Oversee and participate in maintenance and improvement of all areas of golf courses

• Perform complex planning and scheduling of course maintenance, as typical of an 18-hole course with a high degree of play and special events.
• Inspect courses regularly and schedule work as necessary to ensure maintenance plans are being followed or adjusted as needed to ensure proper operation and upkeep for quality playing conditions. Coordinate work with other course greenskeepers.
• Make determinations regarding watering requirements, vertical mowing, aerification, and top dressing of greens and tees.
• Oversee and participate in fertilizer and pesticide application (including calibrating equipment and making applications as needed for fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides).
• Identify and respond to irrigation system problems (including performing routine system programming and repairs and reporting/referring more technical problems as appropriate).
• Mow, roll, blow, edge, water, and maintain greens, tees, fairways, roughs, and related course areas.
• Manage natural meadows and invasive species, using mowing, chainsaws, and herbicides.
• Operate automotive and maintenance equipment such as flail mowers, tractors, plows, mowers, forklifts, skidsteers, Toolcats, and blowers.

Lead and direct crews

• Prepare daily work plans for crew to efficiently and effectively complete golf maintenance functions.
• Communicate plans with supervisor and modify as necessary.
• Provide training to all golf maintenance staff on job skills, proper use of equipment, and safety procedures, as well as department rules, policies, and procedures.
• Regularly check in with crews to evaluate performance and productivity. Make corrections as necessary. Provide input to supervisor regarding employee performance.
• Enforce City of Madison and Divisional policies and work rules. Report violations to supervisor as necessary.
• Support crews as necessary to facilitate efficient workflow.

Perform administrative functions related to golf maintenance

• Maintain effective communications with the general public, league representatives, golf professionals, and clubhouse staff regarding course maintenance and playing conditions.
• Provide related written reports and suggestions for improvement.
• Participate in the development of budget estimates and maintain expenditure records.
• Order and purchase work supplies/materials and maintain inventory for assigned areas.
• Maintain records and files as necessary (e.g., personnel, attendance, pesticide applications, etc.).
• Review and ensure accuracy of time cards for assigned crew members.
• Write and review accident and incident reports as necessary.
• Plan for and support large golf and non-golf events.

Preventive maintenance of equipment

• Perform routine equipment maintenance (including greasing, sharpening/changing blades, changing/maintaining fluid levels).
• Transport equipment and vehicles for use, maintenance, storage, etc.
• Report damages and/or repairs to supervisor or mechanic as appropriate.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance schedules and repairs of equipment with Parks mechanics and Fleet Service.

Perform snow and ice control and support winter recreational activities

• Remove snow from assigned routes, lots, and roads.
• Perform assigned duties to support winter recreation (including grooming cross country skiing, snow shoeing, and other trails).

Perform other related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Four (4) years of experience in applying the following:
  
  • Principles, practices, and methods specific to golf course maintenance.
  • Turf and green considerations relative to course play, including plant science and soil health.
  • Proper application of fertilizer and pesticides (including fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides).
  • Manually and automatically controlled irrigation systems as utilized in golf course maintenance.
  • Golf rules and play considerations.
  • Computer software applicable to the duties of the position.
  
  
  
• -OR-
• Bachelor's Degree in turf management, soil science, botany, or a related field; AND
• Two (2) years of specialized experience equivalent to the level of Greenskeeper 1.
• -OR-
• Five (5) years of experience in the care and maintenance of a golf course, which included two (2) years of specialized experience equivalent to the level of Greenskeeper 1; AND
• Completion of college coursework in turf management and/or soil science.

Other combinations of experience, training, and/or education which can be demonstrated to result in the possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position will also be considered.

The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to effectively work with multicultural communities.

For a complete list of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, please see the class specification.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid driver's license and ability to efficiently travel between courses and/or other work locations during the workday.
• Employees will be expected to work on weekends and occasionally during the evening for lessons, leagues, special events, and as required.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a Wisconsin Pesticide Certification within six (6) months of appointment and to maintain certification. Failure to obtain the certification within the required time period may result in forfeiture of the position, absent extenuating circumstances.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform manual labor and lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to physically access all golf course areas in order to oversee staff and monitor work that is performed; this includes accessing all types of terrain, including uneven, wet, muddy, or snowy terrain.
• Employees are expected to work with pesticides and must use appropriate safety techniques.
• Work is performed in all types of weather conditions.

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