Turf Specialist - Facilities Services - UTK

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.

• 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

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

• UT market range: MR05
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

About the Department

UT Facilities Services is responsible for the care and keeping of more than 300 facilities and utilities systems in and around Knoxville. As the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s largest non-academic department, team members are responsible for facilities maintenance and repair, custodial needs, landscaping and lawncare, utility work, in-house and capital construction projects, facilities planning and design, environmental initiatives, pest control, campus event services, and facilities administration functions for both the flagship campus and the agricultural institute. The Facilities Services staff provides around-the-clock coverage to ensure students, staff, faculty, and fans have a consistent and positive experience every time they step foot on Rocky Top.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!