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SalaryPosition Information
Posting Title
Irrigation Specialist (Zilker BotanicalGarden/Parks and Recreation Department)
Job Requisition Number
COA091081
Position Number
111545
Job Type
Full-Time
Division Name
Grounds and Maintenance
Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:
- Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus three (3) years of experience in installing and maintaining irrigation systems.
Licenses or Certifications:
- 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
Notes to Applicants
The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) 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 theIrrigation Specialistposition is to, under limited direction, manage the grounds irrigation, ponds, streams, and water systems including potable, non-potable, and rainwater cisterns primarily for the Zilker Botanical Garden and occasional support for Mayfield Park and the Austin Community Garden program.
Application Instructions/Job Requirements:
- 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: PARD 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” Operator’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 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: PARD 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: PARD work site locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any PARD work site – including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicles located on the premises.
Pay Range
$22.40 – $25.48 per hour.
Hours
Work Location/Schedule Notes:
- Sunday through Thursday with rotating shifts: 7:00 am – 3:30 pm or 9:00 am – 5:30 pm. Daylight Savings Time schedule will be 10:00 am – 6:30 pm.
- May be required to work during special events, evenings, weekends & holidays.
- Schedule is subject to change based on departmental needs and programs.
- May be required to work during city emergencies such as extreme weather events.
Job Close Date
02/26/2024
Type of Posting
External
Department
Parks and Recreation
Regular/Temporary
Regular
Grant Funded or Pooled Position
Not Applicable
Category
Technical
Location
Zilker Botanical Garden - 2220 Barton Springs Rd.
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:
- Experience managing irrigation systems and repairs in a public garden or other public space.
- Experience programming irrigation systems controllers, including computerized systems.
- Experience managing non-potable water systems.
- Knowledge of turf maintenance and restoration practices.
- Experience with minor repairs in the areas of restroom fixtures, drinking fountains, sinks, and toilets.
- Intermediate computer skills with Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Knowledge of GIS applications for irrigation systems.
Optional Licenses/Certifications:
- Possess a Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester certification or have the ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment.
Other:
- Ability to travel to more than one work location.
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- Supervision 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.
Criminal Background Investigation
This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation.
EEO/ADA
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.
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.
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.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within
the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.
