GOLF COURSE SPECIALIST (For Hire Only)

Duke Careers; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 57,308,160 - 77,972,160; Full time

Job summary

Duke University Golf Club is seeking a Grounds Keeper to maintain the golf course and operate maintenance equipment according to established schedules. You will follow OSHA safety rules, communicate with supervisors, and contribute to team maintenance efforts.

A background in skilled trades and at least 1 year of grounds maintenance experience are preferred. Training will be provided, and the role requires teamwork and leadership on assigned tasks.

Qualifications

• Educational background normally equivalent a high school with course work in skilled crafts or trades training.
• 1 year experience in maintaining grounds and landscape to acquire knowledge in the operation and maintenance of grounds and landscape equipment.
• OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain golf course grounds and related equipment per daily schedules and supervisor instructions.
• Perform preventative maintenance on equipment, including oil changes, lubrication, and painting.
• Apply herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, and fertilizer according to supervisor instructions and schedules.
• Collaborate with the Administrative Head Golf Course Superintendent and Associate Golf Course Superintendents on maintenance duties.

Education

High school with course work in skilled crafts or trades training

Job description

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Date: Jul 22, 2026

Occupational Summary

Be You.

• Perform a variety of duties as a care taker of the Duke University Golf Club grounds. This includes safely operating and maintaining the golf course maintenance equipment in accordance with your established schedules, within your job description and by the instruction assigned by you supervisor.
• Be responsible for understanding OSHA Safety Rules and comply with the Duke University Employee Work Rules and Policies.
• Maintain and improve lines of communication with your supervisors and fellow workers.
• Work as a team member but at the same time provide team leadership on your various maintenance duty assignments.

Be Bold.

Work Performed

• Develop expertise through training on numerous pieces of equipment. Within your everyday work you will inspect and operate golf course mechanical and power driven equipment to include power mowers rotary and reel, utility vehicle, backhoe, front end loader, top dresser, roto-tiller, spray rigs, and irrigation equipment.
• Operate light equipment as required to maintain golf course grounds in a tournament ready condition.
• Perform preventative maintenance on all equipment, as needed or directed, to include cleaning, changing oil, lubricating and painting the golf course equipment.
• Learn and utilize our required “maintenance checklist” prior to operating any equipment especially to include checking of oil and gas levels prior to turning on the engine.
• After thorough training, you will be able to apply herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, and fertilizer to the grounds in accordance with your supervisors’ instruction and/or established schedules.
• Perform other Golf Course related duties incidental to the work described herein as assigned by the Administrative Head Golf Course Superintendent and/or the Associate Golf Course Superintendents.

Supervision

• Position reports directly to the Administrative Head Golf Course Superintendent and/or the Associate Golf Course Superintendents.

Evaluation

• Job performance will be evaluated by the Administrative Head Golf Course Superintendent and the Associate Golf Course Superintendents.

TWO KEYS TO OUR SUCCESS

• Establish and maintain a clean and safe environment in which to work.
• Establish excellent job-related communication and maintain this communication on a daily basis with our fellow workers, our team leaders, the Associate Head Superintendent and the Administrative Head Golf Course Superintendent.

Choose Duke.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training

Work requires an educational background normally equivalent a high school with course work in skilled crafts or trades training.

Experience

Work requires 1 year experience in maintaining grounds and landscape to acquire knowledge in the operation and maintenance of grounds and landscape equipment.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Skills

N/A

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $20.00 to USD $27.20. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).

Nearest Major Market: Durham

Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.