Superintendent - Recreational Grounds (Golf and Athletics)

Recreational Grounds Superintendent - Golf and Athletics

The hiring range for this position is $60,320.00 $77, 768.61 annually , commensurate with experience, education, and internal equity. Final salary offers will be determined based on candidate qualifications.

To be considered for this position, applicants must attach a current resume detailing relevant experience, education, and certifications. Incomplete applications may not be reviewed.

FLSA Classification:

Exempt

Department:

Parks & Recreation

Salary/Grade:

Salary / Grade 20

Reports to:

Sportsplex Director

Job Summary

The Superintendent is a senior-level leadership position responsible for the comprehensive management, maintenance, and strategic development of turfgrass and landscaped grounds at the Orange Beach Golf Center and Sportsplex. This position ensures high-quality playing conditions, safety standards, and visual presentation across all outdoor athletic and recreational grounds. The Superintendent directly supervises foremen, grounds crews, and equipment operators, and coordinates long-range planning, capital improvements, and resource management in alignment with industry best practices.

This role requires advanced knowledge in turfgrass science, irrigation systems, equipment management, pest control, and the construction and maintenance of sports fields and golf courses. The Superintendent will ensure operations meet professional standards for golf and athletic field play, comply with environmental and safety regulations, and reflect positively on the City of Orange Beach.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Equipment Operator I/II, Foreman I/II, Equipment Operator I/II, Laborer I/II, Part-time Employees, Technician I, Contractors

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership, oversight, and evaluation of maintenance operations at both the Sportsplex and Golf Center.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of Foremen II, grounds maintenance teams, and other support personnel.
• Directly maintain the day-to-day upkeep of sports fields and golf turf in accordance with seasonal demands, weather conditions, and the operational needs of the facility directors.
• Prepare athletic fields and golf course surfaces for games, tournaments, events, and other scheduled uses, ensuring conditions meet all safety and performance standards.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate comprehensive turf management programs that incorporate aeration, fertilization, mowing, irrigation, topdressing, pest control, and overseeding.
• Develop and manage seasonal and long-range maintenance calendars based on sport schedules, recovery windows, and optimal agronomic timing.
• Maintain and manage complex irrigation systems, including troubleshooting, programming, and water scheduling.
• Lead turf improvement strategies and capital projects for grounds renovation, sustainability, and long-term asset management.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, ADA, EPA, and all federal, state, and local laws regarding safety, pesticide usage, and environmental protection.
• Develop and manage operational and capital improvement budgets; monitor expenditures, process purchase requests, and ensure resource efficiency.
• Prepare detailed reports and provide recommendations on staffing, equipment procurement, facility upgrades, and maintenance practices.
• Oversee the operation, maintenance, and replacement planning for all specialized turf equipment and grounds machinery.
• Serve as a liaison to facility directors, athletic and golf organizations, tournament directors, contractors, and other City departments.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate staff in alignment with City policies and departmental goals.
• Maintain accurate records of pesticide and fertilizer applications, irrigation schedules, and maintenance logs in accordance with regulatory standards.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Expertise in warm-season turfgrass management practices in the Southeastern U.S.
• Deep understanding of soil science, irrigation systems, drainage design, and turf renovation techniques.
• Proficient in budget management, procurement processes, and inventory control.
• Strong leadership and personnel management skills.
• Ability to develop effective maintenance plans and schedules using data-driven decision-making.
• Skilled in operating and maintaining a wide variety of turf equipment and machinery.
• Ability to communicate professionally with vendors, staff, and the public.
• Knowledge of safety rules, including accident causation and prevention.
• Basic proficiency with computers, including the ability to use email, enter data, complete digital forms, and navigate common software programs such as Microsoft Office or Google Workspace. Ability to learn and use work order systems or other job-related applications as needed.

Education and experience:

Minimum Qualification Requirements: Bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university in parks management, horticulture, landscape architecture, sports turf management, agronomy, or related field and a minimum of three years experience in sports or golf grounds maintenance, including a minimum of one year responsible supervisory or administrative experience, preferably in a municipal parks system; or a combination of education and experience equivalent to these requirements. Experience managing multi-site or large-scale grounds operations preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

Possess a valid drivers license. CDL preferred.

Have training in CPR and First Aid.

State of Alabama Commercial Pesticide Applicator License

Other duties:

Be willing to work overtime, weekends, and other non-standard hours when necessary.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Work environment and physical demands:

The employee must be able to perform heavy manual labor in various outdoor weather conditions, including extreme heat, humidity, rain, and direct sun exposure. This position requires physically strenuous, continuous, or repetitive movements such as bending, stooping, lifting, or twisting; fine, controlled manipulation of tools and equipment; and skillful operation of vehicles and machinery. The role involves working in a variety of physical positions, including standing, walking on uneven terrain, climbing ladders or steps, working in confined spaces, kneeling, crouching, and crawling. The employee is frequently required to use hand tools involving repetitive movement of the arms, wrists, and hands. While operating equipment or performing administrative tasks, the employee may be required to sit, talk, hear, and reach with arms and hands. Specific vision abilities required include close, distant, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may occasionally lift or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds. This position also requires mental acuity for decision-making and situational awareness in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. The employee must maintain professionalism, composure, and discretion, especially when interacting with the public, managing staff, or addressing conflicts or complaints.