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Athletic Field Manager, Golf Course Superintendent, Greenskeeper, Parks and Recreation Manager, Sports Field Manager, Staff Technician
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $20.64 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $23.61 |
| Top | $29.05 |
Interest in operating equipment to apply fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides; and in overseeing the maintenance and repair of mechanical equipment
Interest in co-ordinating information from club authorities to plan and review work projects and priorities; and in arranging for soil tests and purchases of equipment and supplies
Interest in supervising work crews who mix and prepare spray and dust mixtures, and spray and dust golf courses and surrounding landscapes
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
In general, turfgrass management specialists plan, organize, and direct the establishment and management of new and retrofit turfgrass areas. For a golf course or sports field, the main goal is to create a uniform playing surface, keeping players’ safety in mind.
Turfgrass management specialists may work alone, or they may supervise crews that mow, aerate, rake, edge, top-dress, fertilize, and irrigate turf.
Turfgrass management specialists also may:
While some positions are seasonal, turfgrass management specialists may work indoors and outdoors year-round. They often put in irregular hours when the weather warms up.
The work can be strenuous. Lifting heavy items is routine. Safety precautions are a standard part of the job to reduce the health risks associated with handling fertilizers and pesticides.
Turfgrass management specialists need:
They should enjoy:
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 37 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 17, 2020 and Apr 17, 2021.
Review these skills to learn:
| Personal Suitability: Reliability | 28 |
|---|---|
| Personal Suitability: Organized | 27 |
| Personal Suitability: Team player | 26 |
| Personal Suitability: Effective interpersonal skills | 23 |
| Personal Suitability: Flexibility | 22 |
| Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication | 22 |
| Area of Specialization: Plant knowledge and identification | 17 |
| Personal Suitability: Client focus | 17 |
| Plant and move trees | 15 |
| Area of Specialization: Landscape construction | 14 |
Turfgrass management specialists need skills and knowledge related to:
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Pesticide applicators use pesticides (chemicals) to control pests, such as weeds, diseases or destructive insects or animals, as part of their paid employment.
Pesticide dispensers sell and store pesticides as part of their paid employment.
Under Alberta’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act [pdf] and Pesticide (Ministerial) Regulation [pdf], to apply a commercial-class pesticide such as insecticide, herbicide or fungicide you must be one of the following:
To sell pesticides you must be a certified dispenser. The 2 types of dispensers in Alberta are:
Certification for applicators and dispensers require successful completion of an exam. A preparatory course is available through home study materials or classroom tutorials.
Individuals may become certified in one or more applicator classes. For detailed official information, read about the pesticide applicator and dispenser certification requirements on the Government of Alberta website.
Pesticide applicator and dispensers who are certified by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for certification in Alberta if certified pesticide applicators and dispensers in the two jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory in Canada? and the Government of Alberta website.
Alberta Environment and Parks
Government of Alberta
9th Floor, South Petroleum Plaza 9920 108 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2G8
Canada
Call: 780-538-6460
Toll-free within Alberta: 310-3773, then 780-538-6460
Toll-free outside Alberta: 780-944-0313
Website: www.alberta.ca/environment-and-parks.aspx
Turfgrass management specialists are employed by private organizations and by departments in all levels of government that manage recreational facilities such as parks, golf courses, and athletic fields.
They may also work with:
In the past, many turfgrass management specialists worked their way up from labour to supervisory positions. Today, graduates of related post-secondary education programs have a better chance of advancement than those without related academic training.
Professionals with bachelor’s degrees in turfgrass science often move into careers in golf course management, athletic field management, landscaping, agrichemical sales, and sports field construction. Those with a master’s or PhD can move into higher positions, including academia or research at chemical companies. There are also research opportunities in large companies for breeding new turfgrass species.
Supervisory roles such as golf course superintendent and operations manager require a few years’ experience. Experienced turfgrass specialists may also start their own consulting or landscape contracting firms. They may have to move to successively larger communities in order to advance.
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:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Assistant and entry-level positions are in high demand in this industry (2019 estimate).
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, the 2225: Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.1% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Earnings for turfgrass management specialists vary considerably depending on their education, experience, location, and responsibilities.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $36.94 | $20.64 | $16.00 |
| Overall | $16.50 | $40.38 | $23.61 | $19.95 |
| Top | $18.00 | $50.23 | $29.05 | $30.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Public Administration | $76,629 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $60,604 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $49,436 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $36,644 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $27,829 |
Alberta Ministry of Environment and Parks website: www.alberta.ca/ministry-environment-parks.aspx
Alberta Golf Superintendents Association (AGSA) website: www.albertagsa.com
Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) website: golfsupers.com
Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association website: www.landscape-alberta.com
National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) website: www.landscapeprofessionals.org
Western Canada Turfgrass Association (WCTA) website: www.wctaturf.com
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2019. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.