Turf Specialist
Horry County Schools, Conway, SC
Salary: Support Staff Grade 106 Employment at HCS / Salary Scales (horrycountyschools.net)
Application Deadline: 12/6/2023
Posted: 11/27/2023

Title: Specialist –Turf Management II 

Supervisor: Manager – Grounds and Central Maintenance

Terms of Employment: 246 days

Job Summary: The Specialist – Turf Management II
• Will be responsible for the care, maintenance and improvement of the Horry County School’s athletic competition, and practice fields. 
• Will ensure that the playing fields are managed to the best possible playing standard.
• Will be responsible for spraying all HCS school properties.
• Will be responsible to help with any other tasks as needed in the Grounds Department.
• Will be responsible to the Assistant Manager of Grounds and Central Maintenance.
• Will adhere to HCS core values.

Essential Duties:
1. Ability to perform all aspects of field maintenance including but, not limited to, pesticide application, fertilization, irrigation and all associated athletic field maintenance practices.
2. Prepares and mixes chemical agents used in trade; Prepares work area prior to beginning job and cleans area upon completion.
3. Applies pesticides and other chemical in accordance with accepted industry practices and the rules and requirements of various federal, state, and local regulatory agencies (e.g. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Environmental Regulation, and Department of Agriculture.
4. Inspects and monitors field’s conditions. Uses proper Integrated Pest Management practices to control populations of noxious weeds, insects and disease.
5. Measures soil nutrient levels to maintain that proper nutrients are applied to the soil at the proper times.
6. Keeps up with current pesticides and chemicals (MSDS) and usage by reading information or by attending seminars; keeps abreast of improved treatment measures and materials.
7. Develops and follows schedule for adequate pest control.
8. Maintains necessary records of all applications.
9. Maintains chemical inventory per regulatory agencies.
10. Requests materials, supplies and equipment as needed to ensure that adequate materials are available to complete job duties in an efficient and effective manner.
11. Monitors irrigation systems to ensure the most effective water usage program. (e.g. proper sprinkler rotation, arc and height)
12. Inspects irrigation systems for the purpose of identifying repair and/or replacement needs.
13. Installs irrigation lines; repairs and/or replaces sprinkler heads, piping, etc.; monitors and maintains water well systems.
14. Programs and conducts troubleshooting and repair on electrical irrigation control systems and related switches.
15. Responds to emergency situations (e.g. broken pipes, sprinklers, drainage problems, etc.); handles emergency repairs in an efficient and systematic manner.
16. Operate and maintain all district equipment in a safe manner.
17. Transports various items including tools, equipment, and supplies for the purpose of providing materials at the job site and between school sites, and as needed for various programs or events.
18. Coordinates work efforts with Turf specialist I, Irrigation, and Grounds Technicians or others in the Grounds Department.
19. Ensure safety of students, teachers and employees while performing duties.

Other Duties:
This position will perform other tasks and assume such other responsibilities as may from time to time be assigned throughout the Grounds Department.

Job Specifications:
Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of support personnel.

Minimum Qualifications: (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required)
1. Completion of high school diploma required.
2. Minimum three years of experience in the implementation of a turf management program.
3. Minimum two years of experience in use and application of pest control chemicals, fertilizers and soil amendments.
4. Must be certified or have the ability to obtain certification by the State of South Carolina, category 3, turf and ornamental pest control within 3 months of hire.
5. Must possess and maintain a valid South Carolina driver’s license.
6. Completion of ACT WorkKeys.
7. Demonstrated ability to follow instructions, both oral and written, for prescribed job responsibilities.
8. Knowledge of how to properly perform manual tasks.
9. Knowledge of safety practices relevant to the tasks performed and equipment employed.
10. Knowledge of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required to perform assigned tasks.
11. Ability to use small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
12. Ability to use computers for data entry.
13. Ability to communicate with supervisor, employees, other departments, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
14. Ability to use or repair small/light equipment, such as power tools.
15. Ability to use or repair medium equipment and machinery, such as vehicles or commercial sprayers and mowers.
16. Ability to guide and train other employees.
17. Ability to assume work load and follow-up on tasks with minimal directions.
18. Skills in basic arithmetic; ability to calculate volume and measure materials precisely.
19. Knowledge of safe and effective handling and disposal of chemicals or other agents used in performing job duties.
20. Knowledge of the methods, practices, procedures and equipment for proper irrigation maintenance.
21. Knowledge of irrigation controllers, wiring systems, pump systems, compressors and valves.
22. Ability to estimate time and materials for job.

Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and reach with hands and arms; walk; sit; stoop or kneel; crouch or crawl.

Additional physical requirements include the following:
• Physically capable of frequently lifting or moving up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Manual dexterity for the purpose of using a telephone, data entry, using hand tools.
• Read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids.
• Eye-hand coordination to avoid injury.
• Physical endurance to lift tools, equipment, and supplies while standing, climbing, bending, or kneeling for long periods.
• Hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone.
• Speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in person and on the telephone.
• Physically capable to wear PPE (eye protection, hearing protection, respirator, hand protection, protective clothing, protective footwear, etc.)

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Pay Grade: 106

Apply at: Horry County Schools - Frontline Recruitment (applitrack.com)