Golf Course Superintendent

Under general supervision, performs daily work assignments for the Golf Course Division of the Parks and Recreation Department in accordance with the Employee Manual, Department Policies and Procedures, City of Alamogordo Ordinances, and any applicable State or Federal authority.

Required:

• Turf grass Management Certificate or Associate’s Degree in a related field;
• Specialized technical training in related chemical application and storage;
• Five (5) years of experience in golf course maintenance operations;
• Class A Membership in the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GSCAA) within six (6) years from the date of hire;
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience;
• Valid Pesticide License issued by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture within ninety (90) days from the date of hire;
• Valid New Mexico Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain within sixty (60) days of employment, with a driving record acceptable to the City of Alamogordo (valid out-of-state license may be considered);
• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

 Desired:

• Current Class A Membership in the GCSAA.
• Experience with courses located in the desert southwest.

• Manages and supervises direct-report staff by coordinating, assigning, and reviewing work to ensure compliance with policies and procedures;
• Conducts employee evaluations, introductory and annual; makes recommendations for hiring, promoting, and releasing employees; 
• Initiates and administers corrective action, as necessary, according to the Employee Manual;
• Mentors employees to full potential and ensures appropriate training is given to meet the standards of the position held;
• Establishes procedures to assure the highest standards of risk management, employee safety, and risk avoidance;
• Responsible for thoroughly investigating, reviewing, and addressing department or division accidents to prevent future occurrences and control risk management-related costs;
• Establishes work priorities and plans and organizes the workloads and daily schedule for golf course personnel, assigns tasks to direct reports and to others via the Assistant Golf Course Superintendent;
• Oversees the timekeeping of golf course personnel, makes decisions regarding time off requests and overtime, and prepares and delivers accurate time records to the department timekeeper for bi-weekly payroll processing;
• Reviews and approves the evaluations of staff supervised by the Assistant Golf Course Superintendent on an introductory and/or annual basis, and reviews individual progress and directs changes, if necessary;
• Meets regularly with the Alamogordo Men’s Golf Association (AMGA) and PGA Golf Professional on the general condition of the golf course and plans for improvement;
• Participates with the PGA Golf Professional and various committees to develop, implement, and update the Golf Course Master Plan;
• Solicits input and receives feedback from user groups and customers at the golf course regarding the condition of the course;
• Golfs the course twice per month to assess playability and condition of the course;
• Develops and creates maintenance procedures to ensure course playability and marks golf course to permit the playing of the game within the USGA Rules & Golf at all times;
• Responds to and evaluates problem situations involving the golf course grounds and facilities; determines the appropriate course of action, including corrective and preventive measures to ensure course playability and customer satisfaction; reviews completed jobs to ensure proper methods were used to arrive at a satisfactory completion under given circumstance;
• Prepares department budget and assists with budget entry and presentation;
• Assures that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget; performs cost control activities; monitors expenditures in the assigned area to assure sound fiscal control; assures effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and time;
• Obtains quotes and prepares purchase requisitions for procurement of necessary equipment, supplies, and materials or may delegate these tasks to the Assistant Golf Course Superintendent;
• Performs and/or directs turf maintenance and repairs on the fairways, roughs, tee boxes, and driving range, including sodding, mowing, trimming, and other related landscaping activities utilizing mowers, trimmers, edgers, and various hand and power tools;
• Performs and/or directs turf, weed control, raking leaves, cutting down and disposing of dead and/or diseased trees, pruning, fertilizing, and administering chemical applications using sprayers and fertilizer spreaders and various hand and power tools;
• Waters and/or directs the watering of the golf course using automatic, manual, quick couplers, hoses, and pipe sprinklers;
• Operates and programs sprinkler system on boxes, greens, and fairways as required by turf conditions;
• Performs seasonal golf course preventive maintenance and minor repair work, including painting or installing golf course equipment. Minor repairs include sprinkler system, aerators, and related hardware;
• Maintains accurate records and prepares reports, as required;
• Attends the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s (GCSAA) annual conference to obtain Education Points required for Class A testing and/or Education Points as continuing education to maintain Class A membership. Attendance at the GCSAA annual conference shall include golfing the course to assess the playability, and condition of the course, and to network with other golf course professionals; 
• Contributes to a high-quality work culture through participation in training and mentoring to develop skills, including safety-related training and skills;
• Interacts professionally and provides excellent customer service to all levels of City staff and citizens, to ensure high operational and service standards; and
• Performs duties in accordance with the Employee Manual, Department Policies and Procedures, City of Alamogordo Ordinances, and any applicable State or Federal authority

 OTHER IMPORTANT DUTIES

• Makes public presentations and represents the City on committees, boards, and civic organizations while conducting outside City-related activities;
• Will be required to work outside of normal business hours, including weekends and holidays;
• Must maintain required license(s) and/or certification(s);
• Some travel (both in and out of state) will be required;
• Maintains the confidentiality of information obtained during the performance of duties; and
• Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

 The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. 

 REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:  

• Effective supervisory and customer service techniques;
• Basic landscaping, equipment, materials, and supplies used in golf course grounds maintenance;
• Proper pruning, planting, spraying, and related care;
• Soils and turf, fertilizers, and chemicals used in golf course maintenance;
• Equipment, hand and power tools and supplies used to do minor repairs;
• Appropriate use of effluent water;
• Pond and pump station maintenance;
• First aid and applicable safety precautions;
• Effective budgeting practices and payroll procedures; 
• Personnel policies and procedures.

  Skill/Ability to:

• Motivate, train, supervise, and evaluate staff;
• Develop and oversee the golf course budget;
• Operate a computer using standard word processing, spreadsheet, and data inquiry software;
• Safely operate a motor vehicle;
• Demonstrate proficiency in both oral and written communication; understand and follow instructions;
• Perform tasks and other daily activities in a positive and professional manner alongside employees of varied backgrounds and personalities;
• Attend work, as scheduled and on a regular basis, to effectively perform the position’s essential duties and responsibilities;
• Exercise common sense and good judgment in the performance of essential duties;
• Maintain and enhance the golf course’s commitment to customer service excellence.

•   Work will be performed in varied outside weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and snow, with exposure to odors, dust, and pollen; 
•   Risk of physical injury and exposure to hazardous chemicals; 
• Lift and/or move items weighing up to fifty (50) pounds; the lifting of any object greater than fifty (50) pounds by a single individual is prohibited. Lifting objects, materials, or equipment weighing more than fifty (50) pounds require the buddy system or the use of devices designed to assist with lifting or moving. Proper lifting techniques shall be used when lifting items of any weight;
•   Sustained standing, walking, bending, kneeling, twisting, and squatting;
• Risk of physical injury by exposure to golfers hitting golf balls;
• Regularly work with effluent (reclaimed) water;
•   Must be able to hear and distinguish various sounds, such as sounds of operating equipment in both quiet and noisy environments; the ability to see well enough to read documents and instructions; and hand and finger dexterity sufficient to use small tools; 
• Work is performed near moving mechanical parts, sharp blades, some precarious places, Hazardous traffic conditions, and at times, heights;
• Hazards include exposure to insects, rodents, snakes, and other wildlife typical of the southwest;
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud;
• Work on terrain that may be uneven or undeveloped;
•   Required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for job assignments, including protective footwear, clearly marked by the manufacturer, with a minimum standard of M/F I/75/C/75 per current ASTM F2413 standard.