SPRAY TECHNICIAN-Course Maintenance

Job Purpose:

Ensures weed, fungus, and pest free golf courses. The chemical technician, under the supervision of the golf course superintendent or assistant superintendent performs chemical applications on golf course properties; fertilizes tees, greens, and fairways and applies chemicals on areas of the golf course, including but not limited to, greens, tees, and fairways. The chemical technician is responsible for reading, understanding and keeping current with chemicals and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). This position is also responsible for compiling preliminary reports of pesticide usage for the golf course superintendent.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

(Note: Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or changed at the sole discretion of Sycuan Management at any time)

1. Ensures weed, fungus, and pest free golf courses by mixing herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers, filling sprayer tank with water and chemicals according to manufacturer's specifications and formulas, applying chemicals using hose or pump, pulling spray hose from truck-mounted reel, turning knob, pressing lever and pointing nozzle, spraying pre-determined area following established procedures and safety standards.
2. Ensures safe work and storage area by mixing, storing, and disposing of chemicals according to hazardous materials codes, maintaining required records of chemical spray activity, maintaining inventory of material on hand, and maintaining cleanliness of equipment and storage facilities.
3. Performs routine safety inspections on all spraying equipment.
4. Maintains chemical storage and mixing areas in compliance with county, state, and federal regulations, and is responsible for the safety and direction of chemical handlers and/or helpers
5. Tracks chemical inventory.
6. Cleans, tests, and properly calibrates and prepares all spray application equipment.

Job Specifications:

Education and Experience:

Essential:

• High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• 1 year of chemical spray experience
• California Pesticide Qualified Applicator Certificate
• Possession of California Driver's License and in good standing
• Turf Managers Class
• Must have completed training requirements as demanded by the state and federal governments, including those required by the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
• American Red Cross first-aid training certificate

Desirable:

• California Pesticide Advisor License in good standing
• Golf course spray technician experience

Skills and Knowledge:

Essential:

• Working knowledge of agronomy, turfgrass science, and the rules of golf
• Working knowledge of Federal, State, and County environmental chemical hazardous materials codes and regulations
• Working knowledge of safe practices in mixing, application and disposal of pesticides and herbicides
• Working knowledge of spray and spreader equipment calibrations
• Complete knowledge of chemical application equipment.
• Working knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions
• Ability to identify and treat pest and/or turf diseases
• Ability to read and understand chemical labels
• Ability to differentiate quantities and conversions of rates and units of measurement
• Ability to read and understand MSDS sheets
• Ability to operate mechanically pressurized spray equipment
• Ability to operate hand-operated equipment
• Ability to operate rotary and drop spreaders
• Ability to communicate effectively in the English language
• Ability to interact effectively with team members and guests
• Ability to complete forms and documents
• Ability to understand and follow verbal directives and written directions
• Ability to bend, stoop, lift, and twist
• Ability to stand and walk for up to 8 hours
• Ability to regularly lift up to 50 lbs
• Proficiency in computer use, knowledge of Microsoft Office and other applications as specified by supervisor.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions.
• Knowledge in the safe mechanical operation and calibration of the following types of equipment:
  • Mechanically pressurized spray equipment
  • Hand-operated spray equipment
  • Hand-operated rotary spreaders
  • Hand-operated drop spreaders
  • Utility tractors

Desirable:

• Multi-lingual

Supervisory/Managerial Accountability:

Direct: None

Indirect: None