Irrigation Specialist

Aims Local College District•Greeley, CO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Aims Community College actively supports an environment that embraces the College's Mission, Vision, Values and a culture of innovation and care. The College embraces and seeks to hire individuals who want to be a part of this environment and have the skill sets necessary to be successful in this position. Aims Community College operates across five campuses: Greeley, Fort Lupton, Windsor, AFTC, and AMTC in Loveland. This position is responsible for the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of approximately 100 acres of irrigated landscape at the Greeley Campus. The irrigation system is a large, complex commercial system that includes a variety of sprinkler heads, miles of underground piping and control wiring, electric valves, six backflow prevention assemblies, and two raw-water pump stations. This role is key to ensuring the irrigation system operates efficiently and reliably while maintaining the campus landscape to a high standard.

Requirements

Five (5) years of experience in grounds maintenance, construction, or a related field.
Of the five (5) years, two (2) years must be of knowledge and/or experience installing, maintaining, and repairing irrigation systems used in various commercial and industrial settings, ensuring efficient water distribution to plants, turf, and landscapes, and promoting healthy growth and optimal resource utilization, or an equivalent combination of education and/or work experience.
Safety Certifications for the following equipment (or ability to become certified within twelve (12) months of hire): Forklift, Skid loader
Ability to prepare and interpret plans and sketches.
Ability to operate tractors and other commercial grounds equipment.
Ability to understand and execute verbal and written instruction.
Ability to use necessary hand tools associated with the trade.
A pre-employment post-offer physical evaluation will be required of the selected candidate.
This position requires the use of a company vehicle for business travel.
The selected candidate must successfully pass an MVR and be insurable under Aims insurance.

Nice To Haves

Associate's Degree in Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, or another related field.
Experience troubleshooting and diagnosing backflow prevention systems.
Proficiency in troubleshooting and servicing irrigation pumps and related equipment.
Experience diagnosing and resolving valve-related issues within commercial irrigation systems.
Knowledge and experience with two-wire irrigation system installation, troubleshooting, and repair.
Working knowledge of Baseline irrigation control technologies, including zone programming, start times, run times, and seasonal adjustments.
Experience with the pressurization, testing, and blowout/winterization of commercial irrigation systems.

Responsibilities

Responsible for all phases of the campus irrigation system. Including round-the-clock scheduling of sprinkler operation via linked commercial irrigation controllers (a.k.a. timers, clocks) acting in tandem.
Monitor functioning and consequent adjustment, repair, or replacement of commercial, large-volume sprinklers, spray heads, and drip systems across acres of turf grass, trees, flowers, and shrubs.
Preventative maintenance (lubrication and monitoring, regulation of outflow) of pumps, backflows, and related irrigation clocks and equipment.
Biannual closing (for winter to prevent freezing) and opening (in spring at onset of sprinkler season) of sprinkler line drains and blowing out of lines for winter with commercial air compressor.
Repair of underground, high-pressure-rated sprinkler lines (encompassing all turf areas) up to 8" diameter.
Commercial sprinkler head repair, including electrical diagnostic procedures, and subsequent repair of commercial irrigation electric valves throughout the system.
Inventory and replacement of complete irrigation parts supply.
Tree, shrub removal, trimming, and pruning.
Fertilizing turf areas, trees, and other landscaping areas.
Apply herbicides and pesticides.
Chip tree branches for mulch.
Regularly check drainage areas to ensure they are clear of debris.
Be aware of stormwater violations.
Collect and dispose of debris and litter.
Plow parking lots with a pickup-mounted snowplow.
Hand-shovel specific areas not accessible by motorized vehicles/equipment.
Distribute sand, ice melt, or equivalent by means of specialized equipment.
Follow-up.
Design, install, and maintain new and existing landscape projects. Includes: Utilization of AutoCAD computer program and hand-drawn prints for irrigation and landscape design. Installation of design projects in the field, direction and oversight of other grounds employees, use of commercial power equipment (i.e. for trenchers), technical equipment (transits, underground locators), and hands-on skills to accomplish work.
Operate commercial grounds equipment such as tractors and backhoes. (For example, operate a backhoe in sensitive areas to avoid compromising above-ground structures, underground items, and the wall integrity of the excavation area).
Operate snowplow (For Example, near cars, curbs and other structures that could damage area and equipment).
Operate commercial riding deck mowers and weed eaters (For Example, areas where students and faculty are present to prevent flying debris from causing possible injury).
Operate commercial and residential-type power tools and shop equipment.
Build landscape structures in accordance with existing codes.
Preventative maintenance and repair existing landscape structures such as benches, pump houses, playground equipment, and storage sheds.
Other Duties as Assigned

Benefits

100% employer provided medical & dental coverage employees (employee only option)
85% employer provided medical & dental coverage for employee's spouse and/or family
Voluntary vision insurance
Staff Annual Leave (minimum accrual of 15 days) & Sick (minimum accrual of 12 days)
17 paid holidays and 3 personal days each year
Summer schedule: 4-day work week - Fridays Off
Employer paid long-term disability and life insurance premiums
Tuition waiver & reimbursement for employees
Tuition waiver for dependents
PERA employer
Additional supplemental benefits & retirement programs available
Access to the PERC (Aims gym) for employee & one guest
Free parking on all campuses