Golf Course Landscape Specialist

Champaign County Forest Preserve District • Mahomet, IL

13d • $21 - $26 • Onsite

About The Position

The Golf Course Landscape Specialist performs grounds-maintenance work at Lake of the Woods Golf Course, with a focus on keeping landscaping, trees, and other flora healthy and aesthetically pleasing. The role serves as the department’s technical subject matter expert in landscaping and arboriculture, including plant care and species identification. The position is full-time, hourly, and non-exempt, and is based on-site in Mahomet, Illinois. Work hours vary by season and typically fall between 5:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.; some evenings, weekends, and holidays are required based on operational needs. The role reports to the Golf Course Superintendent, does not supervise employees, but may occasionally direct part-time or seasonal employees. The pay range is $21.36–$26.15 per hour, with a starting wage of $21.36 per hour.

Requirements

• At least one year of professional experience in landscaping, arboriculture, or a similar position.
• An associate’s degree or equivalent formal education in a related field, such as arboriculture, horticulture, or forestry, or equivalent work experience providing comparable knowledge and skills.
• Experience with, or ability to learn, the use and maintenance of powered and non-powered trade tools.
• Current Illinois Pesticide Applicator License, or ability to obtain one within six months of employment.
• AED/CPR and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain certification within 12 months of employment.
• At least 18 years of age and a valid driver’s license at the time of hiring.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written directions.
• Good communication skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Strong customer service skills and ability to interact successfully with people of varied backgrounds and abilities.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, golf course operations and maintenance practices and equipment.
• Mechanical ability to maintain and perform light repairs on work equipment.
• Ability to maintain composure and self-control in difficult situations.
• Ability to work independently without direct supervision, exercise judgment, and identify or solve problems.
• Fluency in English and ability to communicate in English.
• Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including frequent standing or walking on uneven terrain, varied movements and postures, handling and repositioning objects, and lifting up to 50 pounds regularly or up to 100 pounds occasionally with assistance or assistive devices.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff and patrons through talking and hearing or other effective means.
• Visual acuity including close and distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of and interest in the game of golf.
• Strong ornamental and native plant identification skills.
• Bilingual skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain turf and lawn areas around the clubhouse, including mowing, trimming, and watering.
• Care for flower beds, sponsorship areas, and other high-visibility areas to keep them healthy and aesthetically pleasing.
• Control weeds, including invasive species, using chemical or mechanical methods as appropriate.
• Install landscapes, including trees, shrubs, ground covers, annuals, and bulbs, and install hardscapes, including preparation work.
• Safely and efficiently complete landscaping and enhancement projects assigned by a supervisor or Golf Course management staff.
• Provide arboricultural maintenance for golf course trees, especially by caring for and monitoring newly planted trees.
• Help maintain, clean, and service landscaping and mowing equipment to ensure safe and proper operation.
• Participate in operating and maintaining irrigation and drainage systems.
• Assist the greenkeeping crew with general golf course maintenance during peak periods, special events, and staffing shortages.
• Perform tasks in accordance with the Forest Preserves’ Safety Manual and department training manual.
• Assist patrons with questions or concerns about the golf course or other Forest Preserves facilities.
• Explain and enforce rules and regulations and notify the appropriate authority about safety issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• May occasionally direct the work of part-time or seasonal employees.

Benefits

• Eligible for group medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance plans, and a flexible spending account (FSA).
• Sick leave, vacation leave, comp time, paid holidays, and paid family leave.
• Eligible for the IMRF Pension Plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree