Irrigation Specialist (Austin Parks and Recreation)

Job Description:

Irrigation Specialist (Austin Parks and Recreation)

Description

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.
• Knowledge of turf restoration practices.
• Intermediate computer skills, including knowledge in creating spreadsheets, memos, emails and asset management tracking reports.
• Experience with wireless remotes, icloud, Rainmaster, Hunter, Weathermatic, tablets in the fields to operate irrigation systems and data entry.
• Experience/knowledge of GIS application/operation.

Preferred Licenses:

• Back-flow Prevention Assembly Tester.

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 City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

The purpose of this Irrigation Specialist position is to, under limited direction, manage the grounds irrigation, ponds, streams and water systems including potable, non-potable, and rainwater sources. Additional assistance is provided in support of satellite sites.

• Application: A detailed, complete application is required, and applicants must include on their Employment Record all experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting - up to 10 years or more; this will be used to determine your base compensation. Employment Record dates must include month and year. Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application. Statements such as “See Resume” will not be accepted, and a resume alone will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
• Skills Assessments: Skills assessment(s) may be required as part of the recruitment process.
• Virtual Interviews: APR may conduct virtual interviews.
• Military/Veteran: An applicant claiming Military/Veteran status must provide a copy of his or her DD-214(s), or valid comparable document, at the time of interview.
• Driving Requirement: This position requires a valid Texas Class “C” Driver’s License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite . To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.
• Physical Requirements: Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying, or using a force equal to lifting up to thirty-five (35) pounds. Work environment includes inside, and outside environmental conditions, extreme temperatures, and hazards associated with equipment operation including fumes, oils, gases and mists. Must be physically and mentally able to communicate, respond and work with participant’s needs and safety issues.

Other Information:

• Posting Guidelines: APR reserves the right to close posted positions prior to the advertised close date, based on recruitment strategies and business needs. This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other divisions/work locations within the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Decisions on assigned selection will be made at the time of hire based on the business needs of the department.
• Travel: If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program , you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
• Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: APR work site locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any APR work site - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicles located on the premises

Salary:

$23.13 - $26.26 per hour.

Location:

Zilker Park

2105 Andrew Zilker Road

Austin, TX 78746

Work Hours:

• Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM - 3:00 PM
• May be required to work during special events, evenings, weekends & holidays.
• Work schedule and location is subject to change based on department needs and programs.
• This position will require traveling to multiple sites throughout the workday.
• May be required to work during city emergencies such as extreme weather events.

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At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles - Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - that anchor our delivery of services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference : Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
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• Focus on Wellness : Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
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By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

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EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-06-02