ASSISTANT GREENSKEEPER (State)
Assistant Greenskeeper is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
It expects 2 years of relevant experience and a commercial driver's license. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $52,308 to $75,954.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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See where to apply for this title →Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under direction of a Greenskeeper in the Department of Environmental Protection, takes the lead over a small group of employees engaged in specialized maintenance work required for proper care/upkeep of turf and land areas of a regulation golf course; operates specialized equipment designed for golf course maintenance as well as other light equipment; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Performs the more specialized tasks of maintenance necessary for proper care of tees, fairways, and greens on a regulation golf course.
- Operates various types of power mower equipment to mow greens straight and true and to cut roughs and fairways to designated height exercising care not to injure turf or shrubbery.
- Within limits of supervisory instructions and of agency approved programs/policies, takes the lead over a small group of employees engaged in specialized maintenance work required for proper care/upkeep of turf and land areas of a regulation golf course.
- Sows seeds.
- Removes weeds from turf and traps.
- Rakes sandtraps.
- Performs the more difficult tasks in replacing sod.
- Operates the underground irrigation system to water tees, fairways, and greens.
- Applies lime, fertilizers, insecticides, and fungicides in the prescribed amounts.
- Uses the fairway leaf sweeper.
- Removes refuse.
- Changes the pin location of greens.
- Performs other chores to keep the golf course up to standards established for the sport.
- Assumes responsibility and supervises maintenance work on the golf course in the absence of the Greenskeeper.
- Performs special assignments, and makes recommendations (verbally or in report form) to the Greenskeeper concerning effective and/or improved work operations.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
Two (2) years of experience in the care and maintenance of a regulation golf course including an underground irrigation system.
License
Appointees may be required to obtain a New Jersey Certified Pesticide Applicator's or Operator's Permit in the required categories.
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Appointees may also be required to possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of specialized equipment and methods used in caring for turf and land areas of a regulation golf course.
- Knowledge of methods used in preparing soil for planting.
- Knowledge of measures required to maintain equipment.
- Knowledge of proper use of fertilizers, insecticides, and fungicides.
- Knowledge of the operation of an underground irrigation system.
- Ability to assume all responsibilities of the Greenskeeper, and to take the lead over an entire crew in his/her absence.
- Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may be perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
Experience must be in the care and maintenance of golf course grounds; general maintenance and care of grounds and gardens is not acceptable).
The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.