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.
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
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
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
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.
Preferred Qualifications:
Work Location
Compensation and Benefits
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.
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 to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
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.
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