Qualified Greenkeeper

British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA); Southampton; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent local government pension

Death in service benefit

Generous holiday 25 - 31 days

Flexible working options

Training and development

Job summary

Southampton City Council invites applications for a Qualified Greenkeeper at the Southampton Municipal golf course. The role covers fine turf maintenance of greens, tees and surrounds within a historic parkland setting. You will work within a team, follow safe practices, and support course conditioning and biodiversity.

The position is permanent, full-time (≈37 hours weekly) with variable season days. Based at the municipal course, benefits include generous leave, pension, and flexible options.

Qualifications

• Full, clean driving licence is required.
• GMA Level 2 Technical Certificate in Turf Surface or above (or equivalent) with pesticide competencies PA1/PA2/PA6 desirable.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Carry out fine turf maintenance of greens, aprons, tees.
• Undertake scheduled work programmes.
• Perform fine turf tasks such as spiking, rolling, scarifying, fertiliser/top dressing, pesticides and fungicides administration.
• Operate machinery (strimmers, mowers, tractors, leaf blowers) safely under risk assessments and safety procedures.
• Undertake other grounds maintenance and horticultural work as required.

Skills

Driving licence

Communication skills

Outdoor work

Education

GMA Level 2 Technical Certificate in Turf Surface or above

PA1/PA2/PA6 pesticide competency certificates

Job description

Southampton City Council - Hampshire - South East

Greenkeeper 11 September 2026

We have an opportunity for a Qualified Greenkeeper to work within an established team at the Southampton Municipal golf course. Designed by J H Taylor (five times British Open Champion) and completed in 1935 this 27 hole golf course is set in mature parkland. Recent renovations to the course have increased users and we are looking for people who are passionate about maintaining the course into the future, unlocking its full potential and cultivating its heritage and biodiverse character.

About The Role

You will be responsible for:

• Carrying out fine turf maintenance of greens, aprons, tees
• Undertaking scheduled work programmes
• Undertaking specific fine turf maintenance such as spiking, rolling, scarifying, application of fertilisers, top dressing, applying pesticides and fungicides
• Operating machinery such as strimmers, ride-on and pedestrian mowers, tractors and attachments, leaf blowers etc. and ensure all operations are carried out in a safe manner in accordance with the Risk Assessment and any other Health and Safety Regulations and Safe Working Procedures
• Undertake other grounds maintenance and horticultural works when required

About You

To be successful in the role you will be competent and experienced in golf course green keeping and the use of associated vehicles and machinery, preferably having previous experience managing fine turf areas. You must have:

• A full, clean driving licence
• A minimum of Grounds Management Association (GMA) level 2 Technical Certificate in Turf Surface or above, or equivalent, and relevant Certificates and/or proofs of technical competence. PA1, PA2 and PA6 pesticide competency certificates and a relevant certificate of competence in the operation of tractors would be desirable
• The ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• The ability to work outdoors, sometimes in poor weather

This is a permanent full time contract averaging 37 hours per week, with a seasonal variation working shorter days during the off-peak season and longer days during the peak season. Shift patterns are Sunday to Thursday or Tuesday to Saturday.

You will be based at the Southampton Municipal Golf Course, which has excellent transport links to all of the surrounding area of Hampshire and beyond.

The Southampton Municipal Golf Course came back in house to Southampton City Council in 2021 and has had investment into improving the course which has increased membership and pay to play numbers. The course lies within a conservation area of natural beauty offering an outstanding location for a round of golf. The par 70, 6174yd, 18-hole course is a championship course set in mature parkland and is regarded as one of the best municipal courses in southern England. Our nine-hole course features par three, four and five holes and is easily fitted into a busy day.

If you feel you have the necessary background, experience and skills to undertake this role we would like to hear from you.

What we can offer you

Salary: This position falls within Grade 6 of the Southampton City Council’s pay grades, which equates to an annual salary of £28,792 - £31,022, there is also an enhancement for weekend working.

Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, including:

• Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution
• Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
• Generous holiday 25 - 31 days, based on role and service
• Flexible working options (role-dependent)
• Family-friendly policies: Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
• Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
• Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
• Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
• Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
• Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
• Sustainable travel benefits: low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
• Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer

For further information on our benefits package please visit Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk).

Recruitment Contact Details

Email: [e-mail] Tel: [phone]

For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council.

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Closing date: 11th September 2026.