Turfgrass Management Specialist

In general, turfgrass management specialists:

• plan, organize and direct the establishment and maintenance of turfgrass areas and associated plant materials and irrigation systems
• schedule maintenance activities to accommodate customer activities and events
• follow integrated pest management practices to identify and control problems created by insects, rodents, pest bird species, plant diseases and weeds
• determine the type and quantity of grass varieties to grow
• maintain good public relations with users of the facility
• hire, train and supervise staff and maintain personnel records
• prepare and manage budgets, and ensure the cost effectiveness of maintenance activities
• give presentations (for example, report on budget details to board of directors, present projects for approval to municipal councils)
• order plant material, supplies and equipment to ensure adequate inventory
• oversee the maintenance, servicing and replacement of turfgrass or grounds machinery
• schedule, maintain, audit and repair irrigation systems
• keep records
• assist in the planning and development of golf courses, parks, lawn bowls, athletic fields and related lands.

Turfgrass management specialists may supervise crews of employees who perform the following duties or perform some tasks themselves:

• spread top soil, lay sod, seed and mulch grass
• plant shrubs, trees or annual flowers
• amend soil and install drainage systems if required
• mow, aerate, rake, edge, topdress, fertilize and irrigate turf
• gather litter and remove garbage
• apply pesticides to turf to control insects, weeds, rodents, pest birds and disease
• maintain pathways, ponds and irrigation systems (including winterizing them and starting them up in spring).

Turfgrass management specialists also may:

• own and operate turfgrass or landscape contracting and maintenance businesses
• work as consultants or sales representatives in the turfgrass industry
• manage commercial sod production businesses.

Turfgrass management specialists work indoors and outdoors year-round. They often work long, irregular hours during the warmer months.

The work can be strenuous including lifting items weighing up to 20 kilograms. Turfgrass management specialists must observe safety precautions to reduce the health risks associated with handling fertilizers and pesticides.

Turfgrass management specialists need the following characteristics:

• the ability to adapt to new situations and solve problems
• good communication skills in person and in writing
• good presentation skills
• the ability to work as part of a team
• mechanical aptitude
• a willingness to work with their hands.

They should enjoy supervising the work of others, working with people and operating equipment.

Turfgrass management specialists are employed by:

• federal, provincial, regional and municipal government departments and private organizations that manage recreational facilities such as parks, golf courses and athletic fields 
• organizations with large real estate holdings such as condominium complexes, school districts, post-secondary schools, industrial parks, airports and cemeteries
• turfgrass machinery, chemical and seed companies
• landscape contracting firms
• sod farms.

Some positions are seasonal.

In the past, many turfgrass management specialists worked their way up from labouring positions to supervisory positions. Now, graduates of related post-secondary education programs have a better chance of advancement than those who do not have related academic training.

Experienced turfgrass management specialists may advance to supervisory positions such as golf course superintendent or start their own landscape contracting firms. Advancement may require relocating to successively larger communities.

Turfgrass management specialists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2225: Landscape and Horticultural Technicians and Specialists. In Alberta, 84% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Information, Culture and Recreation
• Business, Building and Other Support Services
• Agricultural
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
• Public Administration.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Environment and Parks website: aep.alberta.ca

Alberta Golf Superintendents Association website: www.albertagsa.com

Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) website: www.golfsupers.com

Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association website: www.landscape-alberta.com

Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) website: www.landcarenetwork.org

Western Canada Turfgrass Association (WCTA) website: www.wctaturf.com

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.