Irrigation Specialist (Austin Parks and Recreation)

About This Position

 

Under limited supervision, this position designs, oversees, assigns, directs, and performs tasks in the installation, maintenance, and/or operation of irrigation systems.

 

Job Description:

Purpose:

Under limited supervision, this position designs, oversees, assigns, directs, and performs tasks in the installation, maintenance, and/or operation of irrigation systems.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Designs and develops specifications for irrigation systems.

• Installs, troubleshoots, inspects, audits, and repairs irrigation systems.

• Provides technical expertise to design professionals, gardeners, volunteers, vendors, and City staff.

• Plans and implements water conservation programs.

• Monitors water quality and ensures compliance with all laws, regulations, and ordinances.

• Maintains detailed blueprints, diagrams, records, and reports associated with City irrigation systems.

• Creates accurate depictions of actual field installations (as-built drawings).

• Creates and oversees watering schedules with consideration to rainfall, solar radiation, wind speed, temperature, and other factors.

• Operates all necessary equipment for the installation and maintenance of irrigation systems.

• Tests, as necessary, backflow devices.

• Performs cross-connection checks in accordance with City of Austin standards.

• Obtains local permits for new installs and repairs.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

 Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of power tools.

• Knowledge of installation and operation of irrigation systems.

• Knowledge of proper safety practices, procedures.

• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and ordinances applicable to work being performed.

• Knowledge of water conservation initiatives and methods.

• Knowledge of irrigation controllers.

• Knowledge of backflow principles.

• Skill in irrigation system layout.

• Skill in planning, directing, or organizing the work of others.

• Skill in preparing simple reports.

• Skill in working from drawings, blueprints, plans, and specifications.

• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus three (3) years of experience in installing and maintaining irrigation systems.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Texas Class C Driver License.

• Texas Landscape Irrigator’s License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days of employment.

• Appropriate certification(s) or license(s) as specified for the assignment

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• Experience managing non-potable water systems.

• Work experience using hand tools, powers tools and other maintenance equipment (e.g,drills, reciprocal saws, hammer drills, augers, snakes,)

• Experience with minor repairs in the areas of – restroom fixtures, drinking fountains, sinks, showers, and toilets.

• Experience with wireless remotes, icloud, Rainmaster, Hunter, Weathermatic, tablets in the fields to operate irrigation systems and perform data entry.

Preferred Licenses:

• Back-flow Prevention Assembly Tester License or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire.

Preferred Skills:

• Intermediate computer skills, including knowledge in creating spreadsheets, memos, emails and asset management tracking reports.

Other:

• Ability to travel to more than one location.

 

Notes to Candidate:

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation (APR) provides, protects and preserves a park system that promotes quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community. Working with the Cit