Assistant-in-Training

The Bob O’Link Golf Club Agronomy Team is seeking interested candidates for our Assistant-In-Training position. This is intended to be a full time position and work is available as early as March 1st, 2025.

 

Located one mile from the shores of Lake Michigan, Bob O’Link Golf is over a century old that was originally designed by Donald Ross in 1916 and then re-designed by Colt & Alison in 1924. The 1924 design served as the template for the 2016 Centennial Initiative which was a full golf course restoration with Jim Urbina which was a great success. 

 

In 2023, the Club completed work on a brand new, state of the art Agronomy Center. It now is the basis for our operation of up to 25 employees and over $2 million worth of equipment. It has been a huge asset to our operation and our ability to implement new technology.

 

The Assistant-in-Training will work with all members of the Agronomy team with daily direct communication with the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendents. Training will be provided to new employees of all skill levels with all new jobs. That being said, at least one season of previous Golf Course experience is preferred but not required. Attitude, work ethic, and ability to communicate efficiently have proven to be a few of the main inherent qualities for those in this position.

 

Other traits that we see in successful industry professionals include…

 

Safety

Respectfulness

Accountability

Reliability

 

Our goal as a team is to provide the time, opportunity, and resources that promote Turf Professionals at all levels to continue to learn and mature. Education is something that is highly promoted here, which can be obtained in several ways but we believe at the end of the day educational efforts are as much on the student as they are on the mentors. We focus to provide the opportunity for our A.I.T.s to experience, learn, and contribute to our operation as Turf Professionals in several ways…

 

• All Turf Personnel will be involved with the planning, scheduling, and execution of daily tasks throughout the year

• Daily Discussions on short and long term organizational goals and priorities

 

• We look to have AITs thoroughly involved in chemical and fertilizer applications

• Proper safety precautions, calibration, equipment cleaning and maintenance, chemical application, GPS Sprayer operation, basic math involved with chemical applications

• An Illinois Pesticide License will be funded for by the Club and encourage our AITs to pursue it as soon as they feel comfortable with testing

  • Educational materials will be provided

 

• AITs will be involved in soil moisture and plant health monitoring, as well as irrigation practices involved with managing soil moisture

• Field Scouting of playing surfaces for soil moisture, hand watering with use of soil moisture TDR tools, planning or nightly irrigation, maintenance of irrigation system and pump house

 

• AITs will participate in and eventually be expected to lead small group tasks and projects 

 

Work Schedule

 

The seasonality of the industry demands our attention some days, weeks, and months more than others; however, we make a conscious effort to provide the best conditions we can while promoting a healthy work-life balance. We believe in being flexible while staying accountable to each other and the responsibilities of the job.

 

• In season, the Turf employee schedule is on a two week weekend rotation* where you receive every other Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off through the golf season

• Week 1: Monday - Sunday

• Week 2: Monday - Thursday ( Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Off)

*Tournament Schedule may alter this at times

• In season hours can vary from 50 - 65 hours per week on a 7-day work week

• This could depend on weather, projects, tournaments or other variables

• 40 Hours M-F will be standard in off season, with occasional plowing responsibilities after hours or on weekends

 

Compensation and Benefits:

• $21 - $23 per hour

• Overtime at 1.5x hourly rate

• Health and Dental Insurance available

• 401K with employer matching available

• Generous PTO

• Uniform shirts, safety gear, and rain gear provided by the Club

• Reimbursements available to an approved amount for pants and boots

• Discount on items in the Golf Shop

• Potential Scholarship Opportunities 

• Playing privileges 

• Paid Membership to Industry Groups and Organizations

• Tournament Volunteer Opportunities

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