IRRIGATION SPECIALIST
MIRACOSTA COLLEGE
MIRACOSTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
(E) = Essential job function 8/29/09
IRRIGATION SPECIALIST
CLASS TITLE: IRRIGATION SPECIALIST
BASIC FUNCTION:
Under the direction of the Grounds Supervisor and the Lead Groundskeeper, perform a variety of skilled landscape construction and maintenance work related to irrigation plumbing, irrigation electrical, irrigation system design, landscape and plant material design, landscape and irrigation installation, landscape carpentry, and landscape and irrigation maintenance. Exercise judgment and initiative in coordinating the priority of duties. Provide safe and appropriate environs, facilities and outdoor classrooms for the use and enjoyment of students, faculty, staff and visitors; apply pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals to vegetation; operate a wide variety of power equipment and machinery.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
1. Perform journey-level installation, maintenance, repair and troubleshooting of all grounds irrigation systems. Inspect and evaluate the operation of existing irrigation systems, irrigation mains, fire mains and fire hydrants and prioritize their maintenance; remain current on new irrigation technologies and software applications to assure efficient and economical irrigation systems. (E)
2. Perform journey-level landscape installation and construction; evaluate soil and other relevant conditions. (E)
3. Design and plan new landscape and irrigation projects maintaining proper flow, gallons per minute (GPM) and pounds per square inch (PSI) in any given area. (E)
4. Install, repair or modify all existing valves, controllers, irrigation systems, irrigation electrical wiring, and irrigation mains; utilize, amend or update existing irrigation blueprints as necessary. Responsible for field programming all irrigation controllers utilizing proper water management skills and budgeting procedures according to evapo-transpiration (ET); coordinate all irrigation scheduling around campus activities. (E)
5. Responsible for maintaining and operating the web-based Centralized Irrigation program (Rain Master I-Central), coordinate all the computerized controller program changes to irrigation schedules utilizing an on site weather station. (E)
6. Irrigate, trim, edge, aerate, mow, fertilize and renovate turfed areas; irrigate, feed, spray and cultivate around trees, shrubs and hedges; trim and prune trees, shrubs and hedges.
7. Coordinate with the Lead Groundskeeper to diagnose disease and pest conditions; spray landscaped areas with toxic herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and rodenticides; prepare chemical mixtures in proper proportions; locate, trap and bait rodents; maintain accurate pesticide use records; all according to federal, state and county regulations.
8. Provide a variety of general maintenance to campus grounds; blow, sweep and wash sidewalks, roadways, tennis courts, and other hardscapes in a clean, safe and orderly condition; provide assistance to the Recycling Program; pick up and deliver Grounds related material.
9. Maintain outside athletic fields and equipment such as baseball and soccer fields; prepare, line, mark and drag areas for athletic events; install athletic equipment as directed.
10. Construct, repair, resurface and maintain concrete and asphalt walkways, curbs and ramps; mix and pour concrete, assist in the planning and prepare and maintain overflow parking areas.
11. Assist in routine maintenance and repair of tools, small power equipment, large construction and maintenance equipment and machinery.
12. Maintain records of hazardous materials and restricted pesticide use, maintain fuel consumption records, parts and materials inventory and work orders.
13. Perform general duties such as installing traffic control sign posts, setting up for campus events and outdoor classrooms as needed.
14. Interface with contractors, venders and architects during the design and installation of landscape projects as assigned.
15. Provide work direction and guidance to Gardener/Groundskeepers and student workers assisting in landscape project installations and pesticide spray applications.
16. Perform related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
KNOWLEDGE OF:
District organization, operations, policies and objectives.
Methods, materials, tools, equipment and technical aspects used in landscape construction and maintenance.
Installation procedures relating to landscape construction.
Landscape design techniques concerning irrigation, drainage and plant identification.
Hydrodynamics involved in landscape irrigation.
Codes, laws, rules and regulations involved in landscape construction, landscape maintenance and pesticide applications and the proper disposal of hazardous materials.
Water management and budgeting according to ET.
Basic electrical wiring relating to irrigation controllers and automatic valves.
Mathematics applicable to irrigation design and the landscape trades.
Coordinating pesticide spray programs.
Methods of planting, propagating, cultivating, pruning and caring for lawns, trees, shrubs and flowers.
Common plant diseases, pests and the approved methods and materials used in their control and eradication.
Appropriate health and safety regulations relating to power equipment and toxic chemical application including the proper handling and disposal of various hazardous materials.
Modern office practices, procedures and equipment.
Basic recordkeeping techniques.
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
ABILITY TO:
Learn to interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures and apply them in a variety of procedural situations.
Operate a variety of office equipment, including computer and appropriate software.
Safely operate a variety of grounds maintenance equipment including tractors, tractor-towed mower, skip loader, scraper, grader, ditcher, power edger, chipper, power sweeper, turf vacuum, man lift and forklift, van, electric carts, riding mower, aerator, sprayers, trencher, saws, drills and a wide variety of small power and hand tools; backhoes, trenchers, skid steers, boom trucks, dump truck.
Work from, amend and update blueprints, shop drawings and sketches.
Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
Plan and organize work.
Maintain accurate records and files.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Meet schedules and timelines.
Work as a member of a team.
Understand and follow oral and written directions.
Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic and disability issues.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school supplemented by additional course work in horticulture, landscaping or a related field and four years of directly related experience with experience in the landscape construction or maintenance trades preferred.
LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Valid California driver license; District-approved DMV driving record; possession of, or the ability to obtain, a Qualified Applicator Certificate from the State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation; backhoe and forklift safety training.
WORK DIRECTION, LEAD AND SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provide work direction, training and guidance to Gardener/Groundskeepers and student workers assisting in landscape project installations and pesticide spray applications.
CONTACTS:
Department personnel, contractors, vendors, trade professionals, District faculty and staff, campus police, the public, the State of California Department of Pesticide Regulation.
PHYSICAL EFFORT:
Heavy physical labor with constant standing and walking for extended periods of time; walking over rough or uneven surfaces; frequent pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying of heavy objects weighing up to 75 pounds; frequent bending, stooping and kneeling; manual dexterity to operate power equipment in a safe manner; operating motorized equipment and vehicles; ability to operate electric cart to travel and/or to pick-up/deliver supplies to a variety of locations on campus; subject to occasional travel to other district locations to work as needed.
EMOTIONAL EFFORT:
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships involving interactions and communications personally, by phone and in writing with a variety of individuals and/or groups of individuals from diverse backgrounds on a regular, on-going basis; ability to appropriately respond to a variety of situations and unanticipated stressors; ability to work effectively under pressure on multiple tasks concurrently while meeting established deadlines and changing priorities.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Outside environment in all weather conditions including rain and extreme heat; exposure to sun for extended periods of time; work on slippery or uneven surfaces; work while wearing personal protection equipment including respirators, protective gloves, protective footwear, face shields, goggles, spray suits and rain suits; subject to exposure to dust, dirt, oil/grease, gasoline, diesel fuel, smoke and pollen; subject to exposure to hazardous materials such as pesticides, herbicides, solvents and other toxic chemicals and fumes; exposure to extreme noise and fumes/exhaust from equipment and vehicle operation; exposed to working with or around extremely dangerous equipment and machinery with moving parts. May be required to work at any district location during day and/or evening hours with occasional evenings, holidays and/or weekends on an as-needed basis; occasional local travel may be requested.
MIRACOSTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
(E) = Essential job function 8/29/09