Turf Equipment Technician

East Lake Golf Club, located in Atlanta, Georgia is seeking an experienced and professional Equipment Technician to add to their already strong and dedicated golf course maintenance team.  

The primary purpose of the Equipment Technician position is to serve as an extension of the Shop and Equipment Manager, and to assist him/her in maintaining and conditioning the equipment fleet and shop facilities to the club’s standards. This is to include any equipment associated with the operation of the Agronomy Department, and at times other areas of the club.  In doing so, the Equipment Technician serves a vital role in producing the premier playing surfaces associated with the East Lake brand. 

The Agronomy Team has 5 guiding principles that drive their daily success:

1. Be Safe
2. We are a team
3. Give every task your honest best effort
4. Do what you know you are supposed to do
5. Have fun

About East Lake Golf Club:

Located in Atlanta, Georgia, East Lake Golf Club is the oldest golf course in the city of Atlanta and where legendary golfer Bobby Jones learned the game. The Club is not only historic, but philanthropic as well. Proceeds from Club operations support several charitable partners, including the East Lake Foundation, which has helped transform one of the nation’s worst public housing projects into a thriving community. Since 2005, East Lake has been the permanent home of the TOUR Championship, the culminating event of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedEx Cup.

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Club highlights:

• Hosts PGA TOUR Championship annually
• Maintenance staff: 30 full-time and 6 part-time employees
• Rounds of Golf: 20,000
• Equipment: John Deere 
• Irrigation: Toro Smart Satellite 

Success traits of individual:

• Strong desire to be part of a team with the goal of achieving a high quality of work no matter the situation
• Positive, passionate, and driven individual with high standards both personally and professionally
• Comfortable working autonomously and with a team
• Great verbal and written communication
• Punctual and dedicated professional who is accountable and self-motivated

Key responsibilities, skills, aptitude, and knowledge:

• Assist in the repair and the routine maintenance associated with all equipment
• Keep records of parts and labor needed to maintain equipment, as well as the ordering of parts and supplies needed for equipment servicing and repair in the absence of the Shop and Equipment Manager
• Serve in the role of the Shop and Equipment Manager in his/her absence
• Responsible for taking all measures available to prevent equipment failure and for communicating any needs or problems relating to the maintenance and repair of equipment to the Shop and Equipment Manager
• Perform a magnitude of tasks within the department in accordance with daily production standards. 
• Assist in maintaining a clean service area and shop, and places safety as a top priority. 
• Work directly under the Shop and Equipment Manager. 
• Always maintain a positive image for East Lake Agronomy in the field and in the industry while working independently and efficiently at all times, especially in the absence of a supervisor.
• Responsible for continuous improvements to the member experience, balancing risk vs. reward ideology, timely and logical decisions, and maintaining the utmost confidentiality of club business. 

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Assists in the performance of all duties as stated in the job descriptions for the Equipment Technician
• Assist in onboarding, training and overseeing the Asst. Equipment Technician within the equipment management sector of the Agronomy Department. 
• Assists in maintaining clean and organized Mechanic shop, parts room, gas storage, office, and equipment storage areas
• Understands and abides by safe and proper mixing, loading, disposal, and application procedures with all chemicals used ensuring all local, state, OSHA, and EPA regulations are followed
• Assists in monitoring conditions of all Agronomy structures and property and reports concerns to the Shop and Equipment Manager
• Inspects, diagnoses, maintains and repairs failures to all equipment assets of ELGC 
• Repairs engines and adjusts cutting units on various heavy and light maintenance equipment
• At times may be required to leave the club to purchase needed materials 
• Routinely inspects equipment and reports abnormal/excessive damage done to the Shop and Equipment Manager 
• Responsible for overseeing Equipment Cleanliness Program
• Aids in cleaning of equipment and maintaining of the wash pad
• Assist in the training of proper equipment operation to all Agronomy employees. This includes proper cleaning procedures
• Oversees the performance of equipment daily in the field. This includes checking all mowers daily for proper cut, and making repairs in the field 
• Communicates daily with Shop and Equipment Manager on issues related to equipment maintenance
• Proposes improvement ideas to Shop and Equipment Manager
• Continues to expand professional knowledge by being active in seminars, workshops, and reading materials 
• Seeks approval from the Shop and Equipment Manager before implementing any upgrades to club property
• Does not perform any tasks to any piece of equipment other than equipment owned by ELGC without consent from the Golf Course Superintendent or Director of Agronomy
• Works cooperatively with the Assistant Equipment Technician to accomplish the daily work load
• Required to weld aiding in equipment repair and project fabrication
• Required to perform other non-shop specific duties as directed by the Shop and Equipment Manager

Requirements: 

• Possess good communication skills
• Obtains knowledge of safety precautions necessary for working in the field of equipment repair
• Understands proper mixing procedures for chemicals used in golf course maintenance and repair, or understands how to properly find and adhere to those procedures
• Basic knowledge of maintenance and repair to various engine types dealt with in golf course maintenance
• Strong knowledge of reel maintenance and cutting precision
• Basic understanding of drivetrain and electrical systems
• Basic knowledge of hydraulic systems
• Understands safe and proper operation of hand and power tools
• Ability to operate all golf course maintenance equipment in safe, proper manner with ability to train employees on operation as well 
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret information and instructions
• Strong diagnostic and troubleshooting skills
• Self-starter with initiative, ability and willingness to be a continual learner, and have a keen eye for detail
• Able to maintain appearance in accordance with ELGC Employee Handbook 
• Ability to maintain a respectful and professional demeanor in the workplace at all times
• Basic understanding of the USGA Rules of Golf
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma required. Degree or certificate in Turfgrass Equipment Management or related field is preferred (not required)
• 2-4 years past experience as an Assistant Mechanic or Equipment Technician or have similar experience working in a related field
• Possess a valid driver’s license and successfully completes the Club’s internal motor vehicle training program

Compensation and Benefits:

• $24.00 - $28.00 per hour, DOE
• Annual Bonus
• Tournament Bonus
• PTO
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
• Short-term and Long-term disability
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flex Spending Account (FSA)
• 401k
• Profit Sharing Plan
• Golfing opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• Fuel Allowance

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable the individual’s safety while performing necessary job tasks; however, the employee may be required to work outside in extreme heat, cold, rain, wind, or inclement weather as demands of the position so dictate. 

Employees may be exposed to the following: carbon monoxide fumes from equipment, various fumes from paint and other aerosol cans, various insects and animals, electrical outlets and wiring, grease and hot oils from equipment, high noise levels, flying golf balls, welding devices with open flame, a variety of grinders, saws, fans, etc. and dirt, mud, pollen, dust, fertilizers and approved pesticides. 

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 50 pounds and frequently required to talk/hear. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is constantly required to use arms, hands, and fingers to handle or lift items. The employee is constantly required to stand, walk, climb, kneel, and crouch. The employee is also required to have the visual acuity to perform an activity such as but not limited to: preparing and analyzing data and figures, visual inspection involving property maintenance, hazards and safety violations, and/or operation of machines.