The Turf and Irrigation Manager is responsible for supervising crew foremen and staff associated with care and health of campus bermuda grass event lawns, fescue turf lawns, landscape irrigation, and equipment maintenance operations. This position monitors campus, directs crews, and schedules maintenance/major repairs, and coordinates/manages employees during special events and emergencies. The Turf and Irrigation Manager collaborates with other groups in Facilities Services and departments within the UTK and UT systems to meet their project needs.

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The Turf and Irrigation Manager is responsible for supervising crew foremen and staff associated with care and health of campus bermuda grass event lawns, fescue turf lawns, landscape irrigation, and equipment maintenance operations. This position monitors campus, directs crews, and schedules maintenance/major repairs, and coordinates/manages employees during special events and emergencies. The Turf and Irrigation Manager collaborates with other groups in Facilities Services and departments within the UTK and UT systems to meet their project needs.

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• Required Qualifications:
• Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED

  • Tennessee state pesticide applicator certification or ability to obtain in 6 months from hire

• Required Experience:

  • 6+ years turf management experience

  • 2+ years supervisory experience

• Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Management skills related to employees, budgets, and other resources.

  • Knowledge and experience with turf pest/disease/nutrient deficiency diagnosis

  • Knowledge and hands-on experience with pesticide and fertilization application practices

  • Ability to work with in UT Facilities Services management computer software.

  • Ability to solve problems and find solutions to unforeseen issues.

  • Ability to hold team accountable for policies and procedures established by UTK and the Facilities Services Department Proficient word processing, spread sheet, and presentation software

  • Ability to review landscape construction drawings and execute installation

  • Strong knowledge of Integrated Pest Management practices.

• Other Conditions: Valid Driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture, Plant & Soil Sciences or related field is preferred)
• Supervision of multiple crews
• Strong knowledge of traditional and 2-wire irrigation systems
• Knowledge of how to repair issues including plumbing and electrical on an irrigation system.
• Ability to monitor and work on the irrigation central control system computer program.
• Ability to make minor repairs to grounds equipment
• Knowledge of landscape horticulture
• Weather related response experience

Work Location

• University of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN Campus
• This is an on-site position

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR11
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

About The College/Department/Division

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.

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• Manages employees/monitor campus grounds including but not limited to:

  • Assign daily tasks, long-term goals and objectives

  • Hiring and employee disciplinary action

  • Review employee performance

  • Helps create and implements training programs

  • Daily evaluation of campus landscape for issues

  • Daily evaluation of campus grounds for safety and accessibility issues

  • Works with various campus departments to meet there

  • Turf management including but not limited to:

  • Create and implement a turf care plan for lawns across campus

  • Soil fertility

  • Water management

  • Disease management plan

  • Weed management plan

  • Cultural practices and schedule

  • Monitor turf areas for nutrient deficiency, water needs, compaction issues, weed issues, insect issues and pathogen problems

  • Schedule in-house turf renovation projects

  • Hire/manage contractors to perform larger turf renovation projects

• Perform office duties including but not limited to:

  • Review/assign work requests

  • Review employee leave requests

  • Create/approve/submit purchase documents and invoices

  • Respond to e-mails and phone calls from UTK departments and campus users

  • Maintain equipment inventory

  • Meet/collaborate with other Facilities Services employees and departments

• Project management/review including but not limited to:

  • Helps update campus landscape site standards

  • Reviewing capital project drawings and collaborate revisions before bid processing

  • Meet with architects and project managers throughout the design and building process

  • Review final product and help create a punch list

  • Miscellaneous tasks including but not limited to:

  • Monitor equipment repair shop production and implement changes to increase production Monitor campus central control irrigation system

  • Maintain spray records for Landscape Services

  • Help manage snow/storm clean up

  • Help manage Landscape Services employees during football game day/clean up