Irrigation Specialist

City of Burbank • Burbank, CA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, this role is responsible for maintaining, inspecting, and repairing irrigation systems across City parks, parkways, open spaces, and other public areas. The position involves performing skilled work with equipment and power tools, and related tasks as required.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Two years of recent paid full-time experience in irrigation installation, maintenance, and/or water systems maintenance and repair.
• Of the above experience, one year must include managing irrigation systems and repairs for a municipality or landscape company.
• Possess and maintain physical condition to perform essential functions, including lifting, pulling, lowering, and carrying considerable weight (assistance recommended for over 50 pounds).
• Ability to climb ladders, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, twist, and squeeze with arms and hands.
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
• A valid California Class "C" driver's license or equivalent at time of appointment.
• Knowledge of basic mathematics.
• Knowledge of installation and repair of irrigation systems.
• Knowledge of plumbing and irrigation concepts and techniques.
• Knowledge of machinery, equipment, and tools necessary to perform work.
• Knowledge of principles of hydraulics.
• Knowledge of electrical and electronics testing and detection procedures.
• Basic horticulture knowledge for watering needs of plant material, soil, and moisture conditions.
• Knowledge of water conservation methods.
• Knowledge of irrigation controller programming procedures.
• Knowledge of traffic safety laws and regulations and proper vehicle operations.
• Knowledge of safety and basic repair procedures of irrigation systems.
• Knowledge of principles of landscape maintenance.
• Knowledge of central computerized irrigation control system operation and management.
• Knowledge of building cleaning and maintenance.
• Knowledge of applicable safety rules, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of a wide variety of tools and other power equipment used in maintenance of grounds and parks.
• Knowledge of maintenance of athletic fields and common plants found in public areas.
• Knowledge of centralized irrigation control systems.
• Knowledge of proper English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Skill in using standard and specialized landscape maintenance equipment.
• Skill in working with various segments of the population in a variety of situations.
• Skill in discerning potentially dangerous situations.
• Mechanical aptitude.
• Skill in irrigation system maintenance and management.
• Skill in irrigation system design, installation, and repair.
• Skill in training others in assigned duties.
• Skill in fostering a teamwork environment.
• Ability to safely perform manual work of landscape maintenance, irrigation systems' installation and repair.
• Ability to read blueprints, diagrams, and schematics associated with general construction projects and irrigation systems.
• Ability to program irrigation controllers.
• Ability to repair, troubleshoot, and install irrigation systems.
• Ability to operate hand and power tools including a jackhammer and other heavy tools.
• Ability to oversee the work of contractors and maintenance personnel working with irrigation systems.
• Ability to follow safety practices and recognize hazards.
• Ability to provide effective customer service.
• Ability to follow and give written and oral directions.
• Ability to learn, comprehend, and apply department policies and regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain records and prepare written reports.
• Ability to work holidays, weekends, after hours, and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions while exposed to the elements.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, fellow employees and the public.

Nice To Haves

• A valid California Class “A” driver’s license or equivalent.
• An Irrigation Technician Certificate issued by the Irrigation Association (must be obtained within one year of appointment).
• California Department of Pesticide Regulation Qualified Applicator Certificate.
• California Department of Pesticide Regulation Qualified Applicator License.

Responsibilities

• Operates, inspects, installs, repairs, troubleshoots, and modifies all components of automated and other irrigation systems, including controllers, valves, large piping (2-6"), lateral lines, sprinklers, pumping systems, and backflow devices.
• Inspects and repairs pumping systems.
• Confers with contractors and assists in reviewing landscape and irrigation plans.
• Checks daily schedules and service requests for work to be completed.
• Inspects equipment and reports safety hazards and maintenance problems.
• Excavates and repairs broken or damaged irrigation main lines.
• Performs rough carpentry and cement work, including constructing forms and pouring concrete for pump enclosures and irrigation controller pads.
• Cuts, removes, and replaces concrete sections for irrigation infrastructure repairs.
• Traces, locates, excavates, and repairs low voltage direct burial wiring using leak, line, and wire locators and hand tools.
• May perform basic tree maintenance and removal.
• May supervise and train employees and others in irrigation system repairs and landscape maintenance.
• Operates various City vehicles including trucks with trailers, trenchers, backhoes, loaders, mowers, renovators, sprayers, cultivators, hedge trimmers, and water trucks.
• Operates a variety of power and pneumatic hand tools and equipment such as generators, concrete saws, mixers, coring tools, jackhammers, pressure washers, air compressors, and compaction tools.
• Assists in reporting graffiti and vandalism.
• Ensures safety of property and persons by placing warning devices and safety apparatus at job sites.
• Applies pesticides on lawns, shrubs, and trees.
• May perform semi-skilled work and assist in skilled work, including minor electrical work and cement/cement block work.
• Drives on City business.

Benefits

• Employees in this classification, who are required by applicable laws and regulations to have respiratory protection, shall comply with the American National Standards Institute’s requirements on Practices for Respiratory Protection.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED