Job Details

Programs Manager (Irrigation, Turf, Equipment)

Position Number: 6541773
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Position Type: Agriculture - Horticulture & Landscape Architecture

Programs Manager (Irrigation, Turf, Equipment)

Job Summary

This working managerial position is responsible for coordinating and providing excellent care of the underground irrigation system, outdoor decorative and interactive fountains, turf, and equipment maintenance. The incumbent is responsible for identifying, prioritizing, and implementing required maintenance and care needs; hires, trains, supervises and evaluates the performance of full time and seasonal staff; ensures maintenance activities are performed effectively, safely and without impact to Garden or private events by coordinating with appropriate personnel and departments as needed. Ensures safe operation of the Garden's equipment and vehicles by providing training on their safe operation. Ensures seven-day/week team coverage to provide for necessary irrigation system response, repairs and maintenance.

An excellent benefits package is included (seeherefor a full description of the benefits package):

14.2% employer retirement contribution in addition to employee contributions (automatic and immediately vested)
Paid parental leave (in addition to FMLA)
11 paid holidays per year plusvacation accruals each month
Excellent health insurance options that are both affordable and allow access to care through the University of Utah health system
Tuition reduction for employees and family members
Options for short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and HSA/FSA savings plans are available
Free public transportation pass (seehere for more information)

Other perks of working at Red Butte Garden, a department of the University of Utah:

Discounts for campus events and the campus store, as well as campus library privileges.
Staff receive a half-price discount on Garden classes, an employee discount in our gift shop, advance registration opportunities for kids camps and concerts, and two free concert tickets for our Outdoor Concert series.
Staff are provided work shirts and gloves, and on-the-job training.

Red Butte Garden is accessible via several bus routes that stop in Research Park and at the University Medical Center, as well as the Trax Red line, followed by a short walk or on-demand university campus shuttle. For more information see:

Responsibilities
1) Identifies, prioritizes, schedules and implements the performance of maintenance and care for assigned areas. Coordinates personnel schedules and work efforts to ensure care meets established expectations, timelines, and safety guidelines, while avoiding conflict with Garden and private events. Maintains an effective conduit of communication/ collaboration with staff and co-workers from all Garden departments.

2) Interviews, hires, trains and manages full-time and seasonal staff. Ensures staff are trained on garden maintenance expectations and safety guidelines such as the proper operation, use, and maintenance of tools, PPE, and equipment.

3) Ensures timely maintenance and repairs of assigned responsibilities, that meet excellent horticultural, functional, and aesthetic expectations, and maintains current knowledge of best maintenance practices by researching current care requirements.

Irrigation system: including all system components, weather station, irrigation software (WeatherTrac) programing, scheduling and updates, routine inspections, troubleshooting and diagnosis. Coordinates with respective Horticulturists to ensure supplemental water applied to Garden landscapes and turf meets requirements for thriving plantings, while minimizing waste. Assists with the design of new irrigation systems, reviews construction documents, and provides installation oversight.
Equipment: maintains safe operational status of outdoor maintenance equipment, utility carts and trams, including inspections, diagnosis, routine maintenance, and repairs, and the safe disposal of unwanted waste according to UofU guidelines.
Turf: including mowing, trimming/edging, aeration, fertilization, weeding, watering, over-seeding/sodding, refuse removal/cleanup after events.
Outdoor decorative, drinking, and interactive fountains: including seasonal system startup, shutdown, sanitary and quality standards, and record keeping per the Garden's Interactive Fountain Management Plan, SLC Dept. of Health requirements, and maintains Certified Pool Operator (CPO) certification.

4) Monitors assigned areas for damage from a wide variety of weeds, insects and diseases. When needed, determines and implements control measures following industry best practices, pesticide label requirements, and State and Federal laws and regulations. Coordinates treatment actions to avoid disruption to scheduled Garden and private events. Maintains a current pesticide applicators license.

5) Serves as a resource for professional knowledge for the public and peers; responding to inquiries; providing content for Garden publications, website, interpretive elements; and periodically teach programs or lead Garden tours in areas of expertise. Maintains knowledge of current best maintenance practices.

6) Stays up to date on, and ensures staff are properly trained on, and enforces department and UofU policies and guidelines. Ensures safe operation of motorized equipment and vehicles according to UofU requirements by providing training for Garden staff and volunteers who operate them. In the event of an emergency, may be required to implement safety guidelines following departmental and UofU policy and Emergency Response plan. Serves on the Safety Committee.

7) Performs snow and ice removal operations as necessary to ensure the safety of Garden staff and guests, and in a manner that preserves garden structures, hardscape and plant life. Collectively, snow removal duties must be performed before and during operating hours, seven days/week, including Holidays, after hours for scheduled private events, and when called to work during a University Closed Day, to clear snow before the Garden can be reopened.

8) Implements assigned sections of Fundraiser Plant Sales by providing assistance with organization and setup; ensuring excellent customer service; and takedown after the events, and all other duties required for a successful event.

9) Reports and coordinates preventative and routine maintenance, including potential safety concerns, to/with other responsible parties, to ensure the continuous safe condition and functioning of the Garden, its infrastructure and equipment.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a related area or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience). Four to six years of progressively more responsible management experience. Background knowledge of hiring department's area of specialization in order to analyze, plan and draw conclusions for recommendations to superiors. Demonstrated leadership skills in planning and directing employees and processes in order to effectively monitor and develop subordinates and to ensure the smooth operation of department. Completion of provided supervisory training within one year of employment may be required. Master's degree in a related area may be preferred.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences

A Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Turf Management, or related field or equivalent, with emphasis in turf management, underground irrigation systems, and landscape maintenance equipment
At least three years' experience in irrigation system maintenance, diagnosis, repair, and installation (Without a related Bachelor's degree, at least 5 years related experience is required)
Three years' experience maintaining, diagnosing and repairing equipment common to the trade
Familiarity with the growing requirements turf, able to identify a wide variety of weeds, insects, and diseases, and ability to determine and implement appropriate treatment
A Utah Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicators License, or ability to obtain within first six months of employment
A Registered Pool Operator permit or ability to obtain within the first year of employment
Able to safely and proficiently operate all equipment and tools common to the trade, including but not limited to vehicles, tractors, mowers, snowplows, lifts, chain saws, trimmers, etc.
Able to safely and effectively perform all physical tasks essential to the position and to work safely in inclement conditions, such as heat, cold, precipitation, etc.
Demonstrated human relations skills; including effective written and oral communication
Able to read/interpret blueprints, equipment manuals, sketches, diagrams, etc.
Commitment to provide excellent customer service and maintain a consistent professional demeanor/presence
Experience working in a public garden
Advanced degree in Horticulture or Turf Management
Certification in Vertebrate Animal and/or Surface Water pesticide applicator categories.

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN43012B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: This position requires attendance in order to perform job duties. The work schedule is typically Monday thru Friday; however, a regular weekend shift and an evening shift may be required. Additional shifts are periodically required to provide coverage for Garden programs/events or snow removal for the same, and as essential personnel is expected to provide coverage during Holidays, University Closed Days, to provide minimum garden coverage, clear the Garden for reopening, or respond to other emergencies as required.
Department: 00340 - Red Butte Garden & Arboretum
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $52,000 - $62,000, depending on experience
Close Date: 9/12/2025
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/188375