Turf Maintenance Specialist

City of Bentonville•Bentonville, AR

2d•$22 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, plans and coordinates turf maintenance activities for the City’s grounds, parks, and recreational areas. This role involves developing turf maintenance plans, performing soil testing, applying treatments, and maintaining detailed records. The specialist will also manage an operating budget, write specifications for equipment and supplies, and ensure compliance with laws and regulations regarding pesticide use and backflow assemblies. Additionally, the position requires knowledge of propagating and maintaining plants, safe operation of grounds maintenance equipment, and effective communication and computer skills. The role directly supervises Parks Maintenance Workers and seasonal temporary workers, carrying out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies.

Requirements

Associates degree in Turf Management or in a field related to the job, plus (3) three years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one- or two-step instructions.
Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.
Must have or be able to obtain a valid pesticide applicator’s license within six (6) months of employment.
Must have or be able to obtain a valid backflow testing License within one (1) year of employment.
Regularly required to use hands, to reach with hands and arms, and to talk or hear.
Frequently required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
Occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, taste or smell.
Must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Arkansas Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

Develops turf maintenance plans to include irrigation infrastructure installations, fertilization, and appropriate cultural requirements to maintain health and appearance.
Performs soil-based testing and analysis of park grounds and sports fields turf areas to diagnose problems such as disease, insects, weeds, soil compaction, and soil infertility.
Plans, prepares, and applies treatment plans and chemicals applications including herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and other pre- and post-emergent solutions, and maintains respective record keeping.
Demonstrates the ability to distinguish the best practices for activities such as mowing, trimming, edging, seeding, fertilizing, irrigation, and aeration.
Maintains detailed reports and records of turf maintenance activities.
Monitors and administers an annual operating budget to ensure expenses remain within budget allocations.
Writes specifications and provides technical expertise in the purchase of equipment and supplies.
Demonstrates knowledge of the use and application of chemicals and compounds including fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides.
Demonstrates knowledge of insect pest, plant diseases, and nutrient deficiencies.
Demonstrates knowledge of irrigation system operation, troubleshooting, and repair.
Demonstrates ability to establish and work in a safe environment and to participate and follow safety training topics.
Demonstrates ability to understand and follow laws and regulations regarding pesticide use.
Demonstrates the ability to understand and abide by laws and regulations regarding the safe operation of backflow assemblies.
Demonstrates knowledge of techniques and practices for propagating, planting, and maintaining trees, shrubs, bedding plants, and ground covers.
Operates grounds maintenance equipment such as tractors, riding mowers, push mowers, trimmers, backhoes, skid steers, power tools, and hand tools safely.
Demonstrates skill in oral and written communications.
Demonstrates skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
Demonstrates skill in using computers and related software applications.
Demonstrates the ability for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with city employees and the public.
Directly supervises Parks Maintenance Workers and seasonal temporary workers assigned to turf maintenance activities.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws, including training employees, planning, assigning, and directing work, addressing complaints, and resolving problems.
Assists Parks Maintenance Supervisor with performance appraisals as required.