Hiring a professional staff

Hiring a professional maintenance staff to help run the golf course is essential for every superintendent. Your staff is the backbone of your operation and careful consideration should be made when choosing the right individual for the specific positions on your course.

Conducting a professional and successful search

Because the maintenance staff positions are important to your golf operation, you’ll want to be sure to handle the interview and selection process in an effective and efficient manner. You also need to be sure you are conducting a legal and moral search at the same time. Several avenues are made available to circulate information concerning your position opening. In most areas, a classified ad in the local or nearest city newspaper can yield many qualified candidates. You may also field a more promising array of candidates if you take advantage of some of the channels selectively targeted to reach well qualified individuals. Many of GCSAA’s local chapters have monthly newsletters or meetings where you could post open positions. If you are a member of one of these chapters, contact the executive director of president of the chapter for information on the available services and their fees.

Equipment managers and irrigation technicians may have a local association of their own in your area. These local associations are a very good resource as their members are professionals in their positions and your source is direct. GCSAA provides its members with the Employment Referral Service (ERS) if you are looking into doing a national search for your available position. ERS is a section of the website devoted to job postings and available to members. Find out more about listing your position in ERS or contact GCSAA at (800) 472-7878.

How you conduct your search is also extremely important. GCSAA members abide by a Code of Ethics to promote and maintain the highest professional standards of service and conduct among the membership. In addition to the Code of Ethics, professional respect for fellow members guide a GCSAA superintendent in situations that fall outside the code.

Before the search can begin, it is important to have a position description prepared detailing the job summary, duties and responsibilities, skills and education requirements, and working conditions. Sample position descriptions can be found under the Employer Resources section.

As an employer, it is your responsibility to follow up with those applicants who submit a résumé for an available position. This practice is good business etiquette and distinguishes your facility as a quality organization—one that applicants will want to work for. Keeping a good rapport with your applicants may be helpful if your first choice of candidates does not work out and you need to contact prior applicants.

Below is some sample wording for letters or postcards that you can send to applicants if your search is lengthy or if you will not be considering them for the position. Remember to mail the letter or postcard within two business days and send it to the applicant’s home address.