Golf Course Superintendent

Kemper Lakes was founded 44 years ago in 1979 as an upscale public course by James S. Kemper, Jr., president and chairman of the board of Kemper Insurance Co., whose corporate offices were located on the south end of the spacious property. A big, sprawling 1970s-style layout, it was designed by Ken Killian and Dick Nugent and currently measures 7,345 yards (6,716 m) from the back tees. In its early years it was ranked by Golf Digest as one of the 100 Greatest Golf Courses in America. Today Kemper Lakes is one of the top private golf clubs in the Chicagoland Area.

Oversees the maintenance and construction of a 18 or 27 hole golf course (or courses) with 2 to 3.5 million dollars revenue and ensures that turf grass is repaired and maintained to established standards. 

Essential Duties:

• Prepares and maintains the annual golf course maintenance budget and capital plans.


• Plans, organizes and directs the maintenance and construction of putting greens, tees, fairways, roughs, and bunkers.


• Supervises the planting and cultural practices involved in growing various turf grasses, trees and ornamental plants


• Ensures that maintenance equipment is properly maintained.


• Procures supplies and materials within budgetary limitations.


• Keep records of annual maintenance activities and costs. Prepares reports.


• Implements sound purchasing procedures utilizing preferred vendors, when possible.


• Reconciles and provides timely coding of all invoices, payroll and other required documents.


• Coordinates snow removal (depending upon facility location).


• Ensures all company policies and procedures are followed including compliance with government regulations.


• Ensures that they and all associates obtain proper training and/or licenses needed to perform job tasks safely and within city, state, and federal regulations. Addresses directly all real or perceived environmental concerns.


• Ensures proper mixing, calibration, and application of all chemical/fertilizers used on the course.


• Manages department members that may include, but is not limited to: Assistant Superintendent, 2^nd Assistant Superintendent, Head Mechanic, Environmental Technician, Equipment Operator, Foreman, Greenskeeper, and Irrigation Technician.


• Assures that effective orientation and training are given to each new associate. Develops ongoing training programs.


• Regular and reliable attendance.


• Incorporates safe work practices in job performance.

Education/Experience:

Associate’s degree (AA) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; or three to four years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience (Degree preference in agronomy/ horticulture/ plant/soil science).

Physical Demands:

Regularly stands, walks and sits.  Regularly uses hands, reaches with arms and hands, talks or hears.  Occasionally climbs, balances, stoops, kneels, crouches, crawls, tastes or smells.  Regularly lifts up to 50 pounds. Occasionally lifts up to 100 pounds.

Environment/Noise:

Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, fumes and/or airborne particles.  Frequently works in outdoor weather conditions.  Noise level is moderate.

Certificates/Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License, Pesticide Application License

Job Knowledge, Skill, and Ability Preferences:

• Ability to read and speak English is required in order to perform the duties of the job (e.g. the associates are required to communicate with English speaking customers or co-workers, the manuals for the equipment the associates may use are in English).


• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

This job description is not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all job functions that an associate in this position may be asked to perform from time to time.