Irrigation Technician

Position Summary:

Carries out daily farming activities of assigned work crew including but not limited to; Irrigation, Fertilization, Tractor work, Weed Spraying, Grove and asset maintenance utilizing good farm practices in a safe and timely manner.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepares, operates, inspects, and conducts daily inspections and maintenance of irrigation systems including but not limited to different filter types, timers, clocks, valves, and controls;
• Ensures the irrigation system is operating at proper pressure at filter and infield for the proper amount of water to be delivered.
• Prepares irrigation sets prior to water delivery by turning on and adjusting pumps, opening, and/or closing valves, and setting booster pumps to auto operation.
• Irrigation repairs following harvest and pruning crews to repair leaks in irrigation hoses and pipelines.
• Ensures maintenance of filter screens, wand motors, floats, motor grease, and packing on impeller shafts.
• Controls water flow in the orchard by adjusting valves and or turning pumps on/off
• Ensures proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies as to promote continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices;
• Replants missing, dead, and/or sick trees and gives appropriate care.
• Ensures proper weed maintenance through shoveling and weed spraying as needed.
• Reports problems such as: pipeline leaks, broken limbs, large holes, sick trees, theft and vandalism to the immediate supervisor.
• Maintains good farm practices on assigned groves by cleaning up trash, picking up and replacing fallen limb props, block and wind machine markers, and cable gates.
• Provides information to management, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, or in person;
• Accurately review and complete activity sheets and/or time cards in a timely manner, recording hours worked and units produced for each specific activity block or ranch;
• Attends safety meetings with employees, provide safety training, and ensure adherence to company safety;
• Foster a positive work environment by maintaining good employee relations and ensuring compliance with applicable labor laws;
• Maintains proper maintenance of ranch assets and equipment per company standards;
• Communicates equipment concerns, services and maintenance to the immediate supervisor.
• Be available to assist other departments as needed during periods of low activity; and perform various other tasks as needed and/or required by management.

Essential Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

Individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily including all important aspects of the job. Accommodation will be made available to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Operates all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and other farm equipment;
• Ability report to work early in the morning, work overtime hours and weekends, and be very flexible as needed by varying seasonal production schedules;
• Ability to apply understanding of instructions provided in written, oral, or diagram form;
• Ability to provide sufficient problem-solving skills involving more than one variable in various situations;
• Adaptability to task changing situations;
• Ability to perform multiple tasks and prioritize daily tasks and adapt to unpredictable schedules as needed;
• Must possess adequate team player skills including the ability to communicate effectively with all employees and management; and
• Must be independent, self-driven, dependable, and trustworthy.

Qualifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License through the entire duration of employment and acceptable driving record insurable by the Company’s insurance policy is required;
• At least six (6) months experience operating a tractor or other farm equipment is preferred;
• Bilingual preferred;
• Supervisory background to a minimum of 2 years in an agricultural setting;
• Must have dependable transportation to report to work on a punctual and dependable basis; and
• Effectively support, communicate, and promote company values, visions, and goals.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of the environment the job holder will encounter. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts and vehicles;
• Noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate; and
• Exposure to loud noises, vibrations, dust, fumes, smoke, grease, oils, electric energy, and chemicals.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be capable of walking or standing 90% or more of a normal 8-hour work shift;
• Must possess ability to work mostly outdoors in temperature ranging from 28 to 110 degrees; and
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. or more to various heights performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials in uneven field terrain.

Evaluations:

Performance, wage, and disciplinary evaluations will be based on the stated functions of the position and related performance and behavior. If it is considered necessary, the Supervisor may seek the input of other executive and administrative staff members who interact with this position on a routine basis.

Limitations and Disclaimers: This job description describes the general duties and responsibilities, and physical requirements associated with the position; it is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or skills required for the position. This job description neither states nor implies that the listed general duties and responsibilities and physical requirements associated with the position are the only tasks expected of an employee. An employee is also required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related tasks requested by their supervisor and not in violation of any applicable laws, regulations, or rules. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities. To perform this job successfully, an employee must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty, responsibility, and physical requirement proficiently.