Turfgrass Research Facility Technician

Job Title:

Turfgrass Research Facility Technician

City:
West Lafayette

Purdue University is seeking candidates who enjoy working outdoors for the position of Turfgrass Research Center Technician at the W.H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center. The Daniel Center is a 21-acre research facility that houses over 75 turfgrass management research projects in any given year that are conducted by a team of turf scientists comprised of faculty, staff, post-docs and graduate students.

The interdisciplinary collaborations of the team serve the public and the turfgrass industry at large by finding solutions to turf problems faced by homeowners and professional turf managers. The research facility includes an 80 person meeting room which is used for education and Extension serving nearly 4,000 people annually. A summer Field Day attracts over 400 attendees to attend research talks and Trade Show showing the high level of work done at the Daniel Center to serve the interests of the Green Industry.

• Develops and maintains a preventative maintenance program for motorized turf maintenance equipment
• Responsible for maintenance of turf equipment including reel-type mowing units
• Responsible for winter reconditioning of all equipment
• Mows greens, tees, approaches, fairways and roughs
• Operates tractors, front loaders, skid loader, fork lift, trucks, trencher, rotary and reel mowers, and hand held power equipment
• Performs sodding and reseeding
• Performs general landscaping
• Performs operation checks and corrections of golf course-type irrigation system
• Responsible for compiling current and precise pesticide usage reports and inventory
• Performs accurate, area specific pesticide applications with boom-type spray equipment
• Performs thorough cleaning and maintenance of spraying equipment to assure proper operation and reduce potential cross-contamination
• Maintains chemical storage and mixing areas in compliance with county, state, and federal regulations
• Trains proper procedures and oversees jobs assigned to student laborers which includes: proper equipment operation and care, as well as safety procedures

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or Horticulture with Turfgrass Science coursework
• 1 year experience related to grounds maintenance and related equipment maintenance
• In lieu of degree, an equivalent combination of education and experience may also be considered. (Associate’s degree + 3 years of experience; HS/GED + 5 years of experience)
• Knowledge of repair and maintenance of motorized equipment for turfgrass maintenance with the ability to create and implement a preventative maintenance schedule for same equipment
• Knowledge in the safe mechanical operation and calibration of all turf area spraying equipment
• Category 3B pesticide applicator certification or demonstrate the ability to acquire one within 6 months
• Knowledge of repair and maintenance of golf course-type irrigation systems.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions as well as the ability to work directly with faculty and graduate/undergraduate researchers at the center.
• Physical strength, stamina and agility
• Possession of a valid Indiana driver's license

• To learn more about Purdue’s benefits summary
• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A background check will be required for employment in this positionFLSA:
  Non-Exempt (Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility:
  Non-exempt Defined Contribution Plan
• Purdue University is an EO university

Administrative and Operational Support 2

Pay Band S040
Link to Purdue University's compensation guidelines: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..php
Job Code #

Link to Career Path Maker: https:///

* Effective August 1, Purdue implemented a new background screen policy: any internal transfer will receive a new background screen if one has not been run within the last year.

Purdue University is an EO/EA University.