Assistant Golf Course Superintendent

Salary : $69,312.00 - $97,524.00 Annually
Location : City of Santa Cruz, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 24-061
Department: Parks & Recreation
Opening Date: 02/01/2024
Closing Date: 2/29/2024 5:00 PM Pacific
The Position
The current vacancy is for Assistant Golf Course Superintendent at the DeLaveaga Golf Course in the Parks & Recreation Department. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Assistant Golf Course Superintendent vacancies during the life of the list. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.
The City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department is seeking an Assistant Golf Course Superintendent. As the second-in-command, you'll play a crucial role in planning, scheduling, and supervising the maintenance crew responsible for the City's Golf Course and parklands. From overseeing daily operations, including course set-up, mowing, irrigation, and pest control, to participating in sophisticated turf renovation work, your skills and leadership will contribute to maintaining the highest standards of the Golf Course. Join us in shaping the future of our Golf Course and parklands, and apply now for the Assistant Golf Course Superintendent position. Elevate your career (and your game) and be a key player in creating an outstanding golf experience for our community!
For more information about the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department and the DeLaveaga Golf Course go to
Under direction, the Assistant Golf Course Superintendent plans, schedules, coordinates, supervises and participates in the work of a crew performing assignments in the routine development and maintenance of the City Golf Course and related parklands. performs special projects; assigns staff and resources to projects and provides training and first line supervision to assigned staff.
Recruitment #24-061Selection Timeline: (The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director.)

• On Thursday, 02/29/24 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:
  1. Application - online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online application process.
  2. Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Week of 03/04 and 03/11/24: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position.Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment once all applications have been reviewed.
• Week of 04/08/24:Interviews will be tentatively scheduled. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exam.

Typical Duties
May include, but are not limited to, the following):

• Plans and schedules work programs, projects and assignments; supervises and participates in daily maintenance of Golf Course; supervises daily course set-up of hole location and tee marker placement, mowing operations, bunker maintenance, course fertilization, pesticide applications, and irrigation operations, including pump station maintenance.
• Coordinates, directs and controls crew activities while in the field; supervises and evaluates the performance of workers; maintains discipline and productivity of crew.
• Inspects all components of the Golf Course to ensure compliance with established maintenance standards; identifies plant pathogens and other pests and provides recommendations to the Golf Course Superintendent regarding methods for control.
• Oversees daily irrigation schedules, utilizing field satellite and computerized central control.
• Schedules and directs the installation and maintenance of irrigation systems, including field satellites, valves and heads; supervises and participates in irrigation troubleshooting and repair.
• Assists in planning and scheduling the maintenance of greens, tees and fairways.
• Assists in planning and preparing short- and long-term maintenance and construction schedules.
• Develops and coordinates skill and safety training programs and trains crew members in all aspects of job performance and safety procedures.
• Ensures the safety of workers, equipment and the public at work sites.
• Performs sophisticated turf renovation work on golfing greens and fairways.
• Operates landscape construction and maintenance equipment, such as mowers, trenchers, edgers, backhoes, front-end loaders and tractors, and operates pesticide and fertilizer application equipment.
• Supervises and directs maintenance programs for equipment and tools.
• Estimates, selects and orders supplies, materials and parts.
• Maintains logs, work orders and records of work performed and materials used; prepares reports on projects, activities or issues as assigned.
• Responds to questions and complaints from the public related to division activities and explains City or department policies.
• Assists in developing the budget projection for the Golf Course by developing time and material estimates and recommending major equipment purchases and operational changes.
• Performs administrative office tasks such as responding to emails, conducts online meetings, enters data in spreadsheets and databases, creates memos and other word documents, creates presentations in PowerPoint or other presentation software, and uses company software applications. Assists with developing and conducting presentations on Golf Course and parklands related topics
• Assists during off-duty hours with emergencies related to division activities.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires working on slippery and uneven surfaces, sitting, standing, walking, running, climbing, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, pulling, pushing, crouching, reaching, working overhead, grasping, and making repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires both near and far color vision when performing work, perform quality assurance, distinguish yardage, and operating assigned equipment. Acute hearing to know when a golfer yells "fore" and avoid being hit by golf balls. Physical sensation of touch to distinguish temperature, texture and moisture. Position also requires a sense of smell to recognize hazards, and an ability to speak in order to communicate with staff and the public. The need to lift, carry, and push tools, equipment, supplies and bags of soil weighing up to 80 pounds is also required. The incumbent works indoors and outdoors in all weather with hot, cold, wet and dry extremes. In the course of work the incumbent may be exposed to pesticides, fertilizers, biologic/infectious agents, unpleasant odors, fumes, smoke, dust and air contaminants, and insects. The nature of the work may also require the incumbent to use power and noise producing tools and equipment, drive motorized vehicles, work near moving equipment, vehicles or machinery, work on ladders or scaffolding or at heights. The incumbent may be required to use protective clothing, equipment, or devices, and may work near hostile or offensive individuals. Position also requires working on ladders or scaffolding in orchards and on step ladders. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.
Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:
Education and Experience

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in horticulture, agronomy, or a related field and,
• Two (2) years of experience in Golf Course maintenance including and,
• One (1) year supervisory experience

-OR-

• Two (2) years of college level course-work in agronomy Golf Course Turf Grass Management, or Sports Field Turf Grass Management and,
• Two (2) years of experience in Golf Course maintenance and,
• One (1) year of supervisory experience

OR

• Eight (8) years of increasingly responsible experience in Golf Course maintenance and
• One (1) year of supervisory experience

Knowledge:

• The techniques, equipment and materials used in the development, renovation and maintenance of Golf Course turf, including greens, tees and fairways.
• The cultural practices for maintaining Golf Course turf.
• The characteristics and proper use of fertilizers and soil conditioners.
• The proper procedures for safely handling and applying toxic materials such as fertilizers and pesticides.
• The techniques, equipment and materials used in the installation and repair of sophisticated irrigation systems. Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications, including word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications.
• The principles and practices of supervision.
• The rules and etiquette of the game of golf.
• Irrigation system operation, including computerized central control, field satellites, and pump station operation and maintenance.
• Drainage control and installation methods.
• Water management and conservation strategies related to Golf Courses.
• The techniques of planting, cultivating, pruning, and caring for plants, shrubs and trees.
• The safety techniques used when performing Golf Course maintenance.

Skills:

• Effectively and safely operate tools and small equipment used in turf maintenance and landscape construction.
• Effectively and safely operate construction and maintenance equipment used for Golf Course maintenance.
• Perform maintenance and repair on tools and equipment.

Abilities:

• Supervise, coordinate, assign, direct and review the work of others.
• Effectively train others in safety and technical procedures, techniques and skills.
• Recognize, and recommend effective remediation for, turfgrass disease, weeds and pests.
• Operate, troubleshoot, and perform routine maintenance on irrigation systems and Golf Course maintenance equipment.
• Adjust and operate mowers to ensure precision mowing of tees and greens.
• Safely work with toxic materials, such as pesticides and fertilizers.
• Perform accurate calculations and estimates of materials and labor.
• Plan, coordinate and implement long-term maintenance projects.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Prepare and maintain accurate, clear and concise reports and maintenance records.
• Operate desktop and laptop computers.
• Assists with the preparation, development and may be assigned to lead presentations related to the Golf Course and nearby parklands.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Act in a courteous and diplomatic manner with members of the public.
• Drive a variety of vehicles, including automobiles, light and heavy trucks, and construction equipment.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession at time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license
• Possession by the end of the probationary period and continued maintenance of a California Qualified Applicator's Certificate, Category B.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, weekends and holidays. Perform stand-by duty, call-back, and emergency work as required.
• Wear a uniform.

Career Ladder

• Golf Course Superintendent
• Assistant Golf Couse Superintendent
• Senior Parks Maintenance Worker
• Parks Maintenance Worker

SALARY - This classification has a nine-step salary range. Appointment may be made commensurate with experience. See the on the City website for details.
APPOINTMENT - Any candidate selected by the appointing department may be required to pass a pre-employment medical exam administered by a City-selected physician before hire to non-sedentary positions. Prior to starting work, all newly hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointmentCandidates must present documentation verifying authorization to work in the United States and take a loyalty oath as required by the State of California at the time of hire. Appointments to regular positions are subject to a six-month probationary period which is considered a part of the selection process. Probationary employees may be terminated without recourse during this period. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.
LEAVE
Vacation - 80 hours/year up to 5 years, 120 hours/year 6-10 years, plus 8 hours for each year after 10 years up to a maximum of 160 hours/year.
Sick - 12 days/year
Holidays - up to 11 days/year
Floating Holidays - 24 hours per year
INSURANCE - (available to employee and eligible dependents)
Medical - Depends on plan selected; City generally pays 95% of the cost of coverage. Participating members make an additional $35 contribution per pay period towards health care benefits.
Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program - City currently pays full cost of empl...