Assistant Golf Course Superintendent

Valid8 Financial, Inc.; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club in Palo Alto, CA seeks an ambitious Assistant Golf Course Superintendent to coordinate daily maintenance, lead staff, and uphold top playing conditions.

The role emphasizes agronomic program development, safety, budgeting, and data‑driven decisions, with a strong focus on learning, leadership, and teamwork within a high‑performing club.

Qualifications

• Associates or Bachelor's degree in Turfgrass Management or related field.
• California Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) or Qualified Applicator License (QAL), or ability to obtain within the required timeframe.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• 2+ years of progressive golf course maintenance experience, prior supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience in a private club, resort, or similar environment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and supervise daily golf course maintenance operations, adjusting staffing, equipment, assignments, and priorities based on weather, golf schedules, course conditions, and agronomic needs.
• Lead, train, coach, and develop employees, establishing clear expectations, maintaining accountability, and providing timely feedback.
• Regularly inspect the golf course to assess turf health, playing conditions, presentation, cleanliness, and quality of work completed.
• Assist with development and implementation of agronomic programs including mowing, irrigation, cultivation, aerification, topdressing, fertilization, plant protection, moisture management, and pest management.
• Monitor irrigation systems, soil moisture, drainage, and turf conditions, identifying deficiencies and assisting with corrective actions.
• Ensure pesticide, fertilizer, and plant protection applications are conducted safely and in compliance with product guidelines, relevant regulations, Club policies, and best practices.
• Assist with daily course setup and preparation for member play, tournaments, Club events, etc.
• Maintain consistently exceptional course conditions.
• Promote and enforce safe work practices, including proper equipment operation, chemical handling, required personal protective equipment, and compliance with Club safety procedures.
• Assist with staffing, employee evaluations, performance management, scheduling, timekeeping, and other personnel-related responsibilities.
• Assist with departmental budgeting, purchasing, inventory management, recordkeeping, application records, and daily maintenance documentation.
• Coordinate with the Mechanic regarding equipment availability, repairs, preventive maintenance, and operational priorities.
• Maintain clean, organized, safe, and professional maintenance facilities, equipment, vehicles, and work areas.
• Protect the Club’s investment in the golf course, irrigation infrastructure, equipment, landscaping, and facilities through proactive maintenance and sound operational and agronomic practices.
• Utilize course observations, moisture data, weather conditions, irrigation performance, application records, and turf response to support informed, data-driven agronomic decision-making.
• Communicate effectively with the Director of Agronomy, Golf Course Superintendent, departmental supervisors, Golf Operations, and other Club departments regarding course conditions, staffing, projects, equipment, and operational priorities.
• Lead by example and foster a culture of professionalism, ownership, accountability, teamwork, and pride, ensuring employees understand both the work to be completed and the standards expected.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the Agronomy Department and Club's operational objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Communication

Turfgrass management

Irrigation systems

Fertilizers & pesticides

Golf course equipment

Course setup

Turf health evaluation

Problem-solving

Prioritization & adaptability

Computer skills

Education

Associate or Bachelor in turfgrass/agronomy

Job description

Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club is seeking an ambitious and motivated Assistant Golf Course Superintendent who is eager to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact at one of the area's premier golf & country clubs. This opportunity is ideal for a hands-on, solutions-oriented agronomy professional who is committed to delivering excellent playing conditions. The ideal candidate wants to be a part of a high-performing team, takes ownership of details, and is motivated both to learn and to teach.

Job Purpose

Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club’sGolf CourseAssistantSuperintendentis responsible forcoordinating daily maintenance activities,supervisingand developing staff,maintainingestablished course-conditioning standards, and ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and with exceptional attention to detail.This opportunity is ideal forindividuals that want to continue to learnbentgrassplaying surfaces and ryegrass roughs. To be able to learn and gain that eye for detail andalways looking to improve and learn.

Job Summary (Essential Functions)

Coordinate and supervise daily golf course maintenance operations, adjusting staffing, equipment, assignments, andprioritiesbased on weather, golf schedules, course conditions, and agronomic needs.

Lead, train, coach, and develop employees,establishingclear expectations,maintainingaccountability, andprovidingtimelyfeedback.

Regularly inspect the golf course to assess turf health, playing conditions, presentation, cleanliness, and quality of workcompleted.

Assistwith development and implementation of agronomic programs including mowing, irrigation, cultivation, aerification, topdressing, fertilization, plant protection, moisture management, and pest management.

Monitor irrigation systems, soil moisture, drainage, and turf conditions,identifyingdeficienciesandassistingwith corrective actions.

Ensure pesticide, fertilizer, and plant protection applications are conducted safely and in compliance with product guidelines, relevant regulations, Club policies, and best practices.

Assistwith daily course setup and preparation for member play, tournaments, Club events, etc.

Maintain consistently exceptional course conditions.

Promote and enforce safe work practices, including proper equipment operation, chemical handling,requiredpersonal protective equipment, and compliance with Club safety procedures.

Assist with staffing, employee evaluations, performance management, scheduling, timekeeping, and other personnel-related responsibilities.

Assistwith departmental budgeting,purchasing, inventory management, recordkeeping, application records, and daily maintenance documentation.

Coordinate with the Mechanicregardingequipment availability, repairs, preventive maintenance, and operational priorities.

Maintain clean, organized, safe, and professional maintenance facilities, equipment, vehicles, and work areas.

Protect the Club’s investment in the golf course, irrigation infrastructure, equipment, landscaping, and facilitiesthrough proactive maintenance and sound operational and agronomic practices.

Utilize course observations, moisture data, weather conditions, irrigation performance, application records, and turf responseto support informed, data-driven agronomic decision-making.

Communicate effectively with the Director of Agronomy, Golf Course Superintendent, departmental supervisors, Golf Operations, and other Club departmentsregardingcourse conditions, staffing, projects, equipment, and operational priorities.

Lead by example and foster a culture of professionalism, ownership, accountability, teamwork, and pride, ensuring employees understand both the work to be completed and the standards expected.

Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the Agronomy Department and Club's operationalobjectives.

Qualifications

Education

Associates orBachelor’sdegree in Turfgrass Management, Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Science, ora relatedfield preferred.Equivalent education, training, and experience may also be considered.

Certifications/Licensure

California Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) or Qualified Applicator License (QAL), or ability to obtain within the requiredtimeframe.

Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.

Experience

2+years of progressive golf course maintenance experiencerequired,priorsupervisory experiencepreferred.

Prior experience in a private club, resort, or similar environment.

Skills

Strong leadership, organizational, planning, and communication skills.

The ability to effectively supervise, train, motivate, and develop employees.

Working knowledge of turfgrass management, irrigation systems, fertilizers, pesticides, golf course equipment, and course setup.

The ability to visually evaluate turfgrass health, playing conditions, presentation, and work quality.

Sound judgment and practical problem-solving abilities.

The ability to prioritize work and adapt to changing weather, staffing, golf schedules, and operational demands.

Basic computer and administrative skills necessary for scheduling, recordkeeping, budgeting, and departmental communication.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position. It is not intended to give all details or a step-by-step account of the way each procedure or task is performed. The incumbent is expected to perform other duties necessary for the effective operation of the club.

Work Schedule and Hours

This is a full-time, exemptpositionrequiring a flexible schedule based on course conditions, weather, staffing, tournaments, and Club events.Weekendand holiday availabilityisrequired.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

This position requires frequent outdoor work in varying weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, and prolonged sun exposure. This position requires the ability to walk and stand for extended periods, navigate uneven terrain, and occasionally life, carry, push, and pullequipment and materials weighing up to 50 pounds. This role also requires the ability tooperateand work aroundturfmaintenance equipment, vehicles, chemicals, fertilizers, and other materials. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Compensation

This is an exempt, salaried position with an annual salary range of$90,000-110,000 per year. Starting compensation will bedeterminedbased on the selected candidate's experience, qualifications, and overall fit for the role.

Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Sharon Heights are considered withoutregardsto anycharacteristicprotected by federal, state, or local laws.