Greenskeeper Trainee

Position Summary

Pay Rate: $22.46 - $23.64 upon meeting probationary period requirements. This position is not eligible for remote work. Regular, in-person attendance is required to meet business and customer needs. 

MSU Benefits: Free comprehensive health care for you and your family as well as a 10% contribution toward your retirement; Generous sick, vacation, personal and holiday time.

MSU Landscape Services has been maintaining campus as a living, learning laboratory since 1905. We are responsible for all aspects of landscape construction and maintenance including snow removal, signage, hardscape maintenance, golf course maintenance, tree care, and general repair on the campus of Michigan State University.

This position will assist in maintaining and performing maintenance responsibilities for the East and West courses of Forest Akers Golf Course at Michigan State University. Responsibilities include: Mowing grass to include greens, tees, fairways, approaches, collars, surrounds, and roughs; grading, seeding, packing, watering, and sodding golf course areas; fertilizer/herbicide/fungicide/insecticide ap plication; equipment preventative maintenance; course cleanup; irrigation system maintenance; and additional golf course maintenance responsibilities. This position will require participation in MSU Football tailgate clean up and participation in the Campus Snow Removal Plan by shoveling, operating snow removal vehicles and equipment, applying ice-melt products, and other related responsibilities (if employed through winter months). This position is active approximately from March through Dec ember (dependent on seasonal weather conditions) and allows for the person currently holding the position to return every spring with the possibility of year-round employment dependent on departmental budget.

This position will engage in high performing, leading edge practices, valuing people, partners and stewardship. Job responsibilities are as follows: 

35% - Assist with performing maintenance of designated golf course areas. Grade, seed, pack, water, and sod golf course areas. Mow grass to include greens, tees, fairways, approaches, collars, surrounds, and roughs. Assist with changing cups, rake sand bunkers, aerate turf areas, prune trees, and care of flowers. Operate trucks, tractors, and related golf course maintenance equipment (walking and tri-plex greens mowers, fairway mowers, tee mowers, aerators, reel and rotary sidewinders, fly mowers, rollers, boom sprayers and non-motorized equipment) used for maintenance of golf course areas. Assist in the cleaning of golf course areas after tournaments or events. Perform golf course maintenance for weekends, holidays, and tournaments. Perform weekend watering of greens, tees, and fairways. Maintain accurate work records, including those of assigned support employees. 

25% - Assist with application of fertilizer, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides to appropriate golf course grounds areas. Assist with repair and maintenance of irrigation systems.

15% - Clean, maintain, and make minor adjustments to perform preventative maintenance to equipment, tools, materials, buildings, and supplies related to golf course maintenance. Requisition tools, equipment, supplies, and additional employees as necessary. 

15% - Participate in the snow removal plan by shoveling, de-icing, sanding and operating snow removal vehicles and equipment. Assist in football tailgate clean up. 

10 % - Correspondence through email, training, meetings and professional development. Identifies and mitigates health hazards associated within the working environment. Provides customer service to MSU Community and the public. Responds or informs supervisory staff of complaints, comments and/or unmet service needs.

Minimum Requirements

• Casual knowledge of tools, methods, equipment, and materials used in golf course maintenance

• One year of experience as a golf course laborer, sports turf industry laborer, turf management, or an equivalent combination of golf course/turf management education and experience

• One year of commercial snow removal experience operating a licensed plow vehicle

• Possession of a valid Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator's certification – Turf (3A), Ornamental (3B) and Right of Way (6).

• Possession of a valid Loader and Toolcat Operator Permit upon completion of probation or trial period. Possession of a valid state vehicle operator's license.

• Valid operator, chauffeur, or commercial driver's license(s) with applicable endorsements and medical certificate to comply with State of Michigan requirements.

• Must drive a university vehicle to perform job duties of this classification; Must be able to work in variable or severe weather conditions; This position requires significant after-hours, weekend, and holiday work; Frequent lifting of 26 to 75 pounds and occasional lifting of over 75 pounds.

Desired Qualifications

Two years' experience in fertilization, irrigation, and boom spraying application.

A creative and innovative lifelong learner with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population; able to problem solve within a collaborative team environment; ability to understand different perspectives while utilizing expert knowledge of the technical operations of the job.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume

Special Instructions

Please list or provide copies of any required licensure/certifications you possess within your application as they pertain to this position.

Work Hours

M-F from 6am-2:30pm with significant after-hours, weekend, & holiday wo rk. Shifts may vary depending on seasonality of work requirements or em ergency situations e.g. snow removal, parking ramp maintenance, football cleanup, or other even

Building Location

LANDSCAPE SERVICES

Website

ipf.msu.edu

Summary of Physical Demands

Duties associated with this position involve working in noisy (above 85 decibels) areas, ability to work in variable or severe weather conditions, frequent lifting of 26 to 75 pounds with occasional lifting over 75 pounds, carrying, pushing, pulling, and climbing.

Summary of Health Risks

Duties associated with this position involve working in noisy (above 85 decibels) areas, ability to work in variable or severe weather conditions, frequent lifting of 26 to 75 pounds with occasional lifting over 75 pounds, carrying, pushing, pulling, and climbing.

Bidding eligibility ends October 7, 2025, 11:55 PM