Irrigation Specialist Full Time

Job Description: Irrigation Specialist

Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Irrigation Specialist to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for designing, installing, maintaining, and repairing complex irrigation systems, including smart controllers, pumps, valves, and drip lines. The Irrigation Specialist ensures optimal water efficiency, promotes sustainability, and ensures our landscapes thrive through precision watering.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• System Installation & Modification: Install, expand, and upgrade irrigation systems, including laying pipe, assembling components (valves, pumps, backflow preventers), and wiring controllers.
• Maintenance & Repair: Conduct regular inspections, diagnose malfunctions, and perform repairs on sprinklers, valves, and electrical components, including troubleshooting electrical wiring issues using tracers.
• Water Management & Programming: Program and optimize smart irrigation controllers (e.g., Maxicom), adjusting schedules based on ET (evapotranspiration) data, plant needs, and seasonal changes to maximize efficiency.
• Troubleshooting: Expertly troubleshoot complex water pressure, flow rates, and electrical issues to ensure system integrity.
• System Auditing: Perform water audits to detect leaks and broken components, optimizing systems for reduced water waste.
• Project Oversight: Lead small crews, if needed, during installation projects, providing work direction to technicians and ensuring safety standards are met.
• Record Keeping: Document all repairs, maintenance, and water usage in a computerized system or via work orders.
• Site Surveying: Interpret blueprints and site surveys to determine appropriate irrigation coverage and equipment placement.
• Safety & Compliance: Adhere to local water restriction guidelines, backflow prevention regulations, and safety protocols.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED required. Vocational training or an Associate’s degree in horticulture, landscape technology, or related field is a plus.
• Experience: A minimum of 2–3 years of paid experience in the installation and maintenance of complex commercial, agricultural, or large-scale residential irrigation systems.
• Licenses/Certifications:
• Valid Driver’s License required.
• Certified Irrigation Technician (CIT) or Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA) from the Irrigation Association is highly desirable.
• Backflow Prevention Tester certification (AWWA) is a plus.
• Technical Skills: Deep knowledge of hydraulics, soil science, irrigation technology, and electrical systems (low voltage). Ability to use CAD or GIS mapping software is a plus.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to perform heavy manual labor, including digging, lifting up to 50–75 lbs independently, bending, kneeling, and working in extreme weather conditions (heat, cold, rain).
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for interacting with clients, vendors, and team members.

Working Conditions

• Outdoor environment, often in loud or dusty conditions.
• Requires manual dexterity to handle tools and machinery.
• May require on-call or emergency, early morning, or weekend work.

Pay: $25.00 – $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person