Turf Specialist
Job Description
This position is responsible for managing and maintaining all improved event lawn areas. Currently this includes: Circle Park, Humanities, Pedestrian Mall, Magnolia Residence Hall, and Student Union event lawns. Two additional event lawns will be added over the next two years that will increase his responsibilities. Event lawn spaces are highly maintained turf and landscape areas requiring a higher level of care and knowledge above and beyond the rest of campus. This position will be responsible for scheduling and prioritizing their own job duties and tasks for student workers. They will also be responsible for managing and monitoring event set up and tear down in these locations to help protect the turf and landscape when possible.
Responsibilities
- Mowing, Trimming, and Blowing of event lawn areas. This will include making sure our reel-cut mower is adjusted and properly set up before mowing
- Chemical application on turf and landscape areas including Herbicide treatments, Fungicide treatments, Insecticide treatments, and Fertilizer
- Responsible for calibrating and cleaning/sterilization of the spray unit before and after the application is made.
- Turf Cultural practices including but not limited to: topdressing, aerification, vertical mowing
- Responsible for scheduling their own work tasks on a daily basis, along with scheduling duties for student workers assigned to them
- Managing and monitoring event set up and tear down which includes working with vendors and event coordinators to help facilitate set up and tear down of event structures and equipment.
- This position will be a contact person to help solve event conflicts or needs that relate to Facilities Services
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Education: High school diploma or GED
- Experience: Four years of combined work experience/education within the Turfgrass industry
- Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Knowledge of how to operate a reel-cut mower
- Knowledge of how to operate small hand-held landscaping equipment
- Knowledge of turf needs and requirements throughout the year
- Knowledge of how to calibrate and clean/sterilize a large spray unit
- Knowledge of chemicals commonly used within the Turfgrass industry
- Knowledge of how to apply chemicals safely
- Must have good communication, listening, and problem-solving skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Education:
- Associate’s Degree in Turf Grass management
- Tennessee Pesticide Application Certification (must obtain within 6 months of hire)
- Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Knowledge of how to adjust a reel-cut mower.
- Knowledge of how to operate a tractor with various attachments.
Work Location
- University of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN Campus
- This is an onsite position
Compensation and Benefits
