Department: Community Services

Division: Parks

Immediate Supervisor: Landscape and Irrigation Supervisor

FLSA: Non-Exempt; C58

Hiring Range: $20.25 - $22.81 /hour

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Landscape and Irrigation Supervisor, the employee performs duties relating to the operation and maintenance of city-wide irrigation systems and related components. Employee monitors electronic data provided by an integrated irrigation monitoring system. Performs general maintenance of parks and other City grounds. This is a full-time, non-exempt position working approximately 40 hours/week. Must be available to work evenings and weekends as assigned for maintenance, on-call rotation, and special events. 

Job Scope

No supervisory or budgetary responsibilities. Must be available to work overtime and respond to emergency call-outs as needed.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Possesses excellent customer service skills and can excel at applying the City of Hurst’s Code of Ideals and Good to Great practices in all interpersonal relationships with city staff and the public.

2. Provides installation, maintenance, repair, and design assistance of irrigation systems at city facilities, parks, athletic fields, and other landscaped areas.

3. Installs irrigation systems by assembling pipes, valves, timing devices, program controllers, and other related hardware.

4. Performs inspections to determine if the system meets state and municipal codes, makes repairs such as replacing damaged parts and assesses preventive maintenance standards of irrigation systems.

5. Creates or modifies new irrigation programs to correct water deficiencies.

6. Works on irrigation controllers under the supervision of the Landscape and Irrigation Supervisor.

7. Assists with the design of systems or studies design plans to determine layout and location of proposed irrigation heads, pipe locations/size, and verifies design plans with topography to ensure consistency of blueprints with actual location requirements.

8. Follows best management practices for water conservation, water use management, and municipal irrigation system operations and control.

9. Operate specialized equipment such as voltmeters, wire tracers, decoder programmers, and faultfinders.

10. Operates general park equipment such as trenchers, backhoes, sod cutters, aerators, backpack blowers, rollers, spray rigs, skid loaders, tractors, trucks, and a variety of hand power tools.

11. Maintains equipment's safe and efficient operation by performing preventative maintenance tasks such as sharpening blades, oiling parts, cleaning equipment, and reporting worn or damaged parts.

12. As part of a rotation, provides on-call services for the City.

13. Performs other duties as assigned.

 Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

1. Basic computer skills, including email correspondence and spreadsheets.

2. Basic knowledge of irrigation controller programming.

3. Knowledge of irrigation system installation and maintenance, including conventional and 2-wire systems.

4. Knowledge of growth and development requirements of turf and plant material.

5. Analyze computer data to diagnose irrigation problems.

6. Ability to facilitate complex and ongoing changes needed to correct irrigation amounts to multiple sites and varied turf/plant material through data management.

7. Ability to compile computer data into accurate and understandable reports.

8. Knowledge of small engines, basic carpentry, plumbing, painting, basic gardening, landscape techniques, and related safety procedures.

9. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

10. Ability to follow safety procedures.

11. Ability to work and communicate effectively orally and in writing with City personnel and the public.

12. Ability to perform strenuous physical activity, including pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, reaching, lifting, twisting, standing, and walking, for extended periods in adverse conditions, including extreme heat, cold, moisture, dust, and fumes, at various heights, and in confined spaces.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

1. Ability to perform strenuous physical activity, including pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, reaching, lifting, twisting, standing, and walking, for extended periods in adverse conditions, including extreme heat, cold, moisture, dust, and fumes, at various heights, and in confined spaces.

2. Most work is performed outdoors and is subject to extreme heat, sun, or inclement weather.

3. Fine dexterity with fingers and hands required to handle items and operate the equipment.

4. Ability to see clearly and distinguish colors when working with chemicals.

5. Moderate to heavy lifting and carrying, up to 80 pounds.

6. Ability to orally direct guests and staff in emergency and non-emergency situations.

7. Work may be subject to time pressures, frequent changes to tasks, working closely with others as part of a team, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, and dealing with difficult persons.

Minimum Education, Certification, and Experience Requirements:

High school diploma or equivalent required. TCEQ Irrigation Technicians License required. One year of experience in irrigation field component inspection, support, and repair. Must have a valid State of Texas driver’s license with a good driving record. Candidate must have a personal electronic device capable of making and receiving phone calls and sending and receiving text messages. The City incorporates reimbursement for the business usage of the personal electronic device into the hourly rate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate’s Degree or higher
• Three years of experience with irrigation system installation and repair
• Experience with backflow inspection and repair
• TDA chemical applicators license