Irrigation Specialist - Parks

JOB LOCATION

13645 E Ellsworth Ave Aurora, Colorado 80012-1331

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of:Integrity,Respect, Professionalism, andCustomer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.

Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Public parks serve as the shared backyards for our entire community. Vibrant parks rely on a dedicated specialist to keep the grass green and the flowers happy. Guarding the local landscape becomes your primary mission. Managing water flow across the parks system feels like being a doctor for the environment. Wrestling with stubborn pipes ranging from half an inch to eight inches proves who is really the boss. Fixing irrigation heads, lateral lines, and drip components fills the schedule. Using GIS software and smart controllers helps save water while keeping the parks lush. Operating backhoes and loaders makes moving heavy materials much simpler. Testing backflow prevention devices keeps the water system safe for everyone. Working outside means enjoying the fresh air through sunshine, rain, or snow.

Keeping the city parks hydrated is like maintaining a massive network of veins that bring life to every corner of the neighborhood.

Hiring salary $24.14 - $30.18/hour

Salary to be commensurate with experience. 

*This posting is being used to fill multiple vacancies*

The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-served basis; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice. 

The City of Aurora is pleased to offer:

• Paid CDL training!
• Up to $1,000 annual bonus for maintaining your CDL (if eligibility criteria is met).
• $250.00 Boot allowance annually (steel toe or other safety toe boots are required).
• Uniforms provided (no more ruining your clothes at work!)
• Health insurance benefits, choice of plans that fit your situation.
• Paid Holidays, vacation, personal leave, and sick leave.
• Retirement Plan (Rare, employer funded retirement plan!)
• Career advancement opportunities (step progression plan, promotions)
• Training assistance through our online Learning Management System as well as a Tuition Assistance Program

The Parks Irrigation Specialist performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled work in the design, installation, repair, maintenance, and operation of irrigation systems. This role may serve as lead worker over an assigned group of employees engaged in irrigation projects.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on irrigation systems including but not limited to mainline, lateral line, irrigation heads, drip components, electric control valves, irrigation controllers, master valves, flow sensors and pumps.
• Performs repairs on PVC, brass, copper, ductile, HDPE and stainless-steel pipe from a one-half inch up to and including eight -inch pipe
• Makes minor electrical repairs
• Uses GIS equipment and software
• Performs locates as needed
• Runs tests, troubleshoots, and makes minor/major repairs to all irrigation system components
• Participates in the installation of material, equipment, and systems
• Performs field inspections
• Assists in irrigation programming with central irrigation control using smart controllers to maximize irrigation system efficiency and effectiveness
• Maintains both written and computerized records of operation, maintenance, and repairs
• Maintains parts and supplies inventory and provides input to assist in soliciting bids for purchasing.
• Assists in training other employees and acts in supervisory capacity as needed
• Responds to inquiries from the public seeking direction and assistance after interpreting policies and procedures
• Troubleshoots, repairs, maintains, and tests backflow prevention devices
• Performs additional duties as assigned

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education: 

• High School Diploma or GED.

Experience: 

• At least (2) two years of experience in maintenance, and at least (1) one year of Irrigation experience.
• Experience to include mainline and lateral repairs, valve repair, electrical components, and radios.

Licenses and Certifications Required: 

• Class B Commercial Driver’s License with airbrakes and tanker endorsement required in first (6) six months
• Annual reuse water training cert required within (12) twelve months of employment
• If employed in the Parks Division, Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Device Tester Certifications within (12) twelve months of employment
• If employed in the Golf Division, Commercial Operator pesticide license in first 12 months

Licenses and Certifications Preferred:

• Certified Irrigation Technician (Irrigation Association)
• Certified Landscape Technician- Irrigation (National Association of Landscape Professionals)
• Confined space certification
• Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (Irrigation Association)

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of practices, procedures, equipment, and systems related to irrigation maintenance & construction
• Applicable safety practices and procedures
• Water conservation principles and practices

Skills: 

• Skill in the use of tools and equipment related to parks maintenance and irrigation construction functions
• Intermediate computer skills and related software applications

Abilities: 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and citizens
• Ability to read plans and construction drawings    
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Read detailed instructions, diagrams, and schematics
• Maintain records and logs
• Organize, coordinate, and direct the work of others
• Able to complete repetitive lifting tasks

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel

Physical Demands:

• Moderate to heavy physical work depending upon assigned function; may require ability to lift up to a maximum of (100) one hundred pounds
• May lift and carry objects weighing up to (50) fifty pounds
• Considerable walking and standing
• Frequently performs activities requiring a full range of body movement including bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, and climbing
• Hand/eye and hand/foot coordination for operation of tools, equipment, and vehicles
• Vision to read manuals, record data, and monitor/observe instruments and gauges
• Hearing/listening for troubleshooting and warning signals
• Speech communication to provide technical information and communicate with employees and citizens

Work Environment:

• Works both indoors and outdoors with exposure to all weather conditions, noise, fumes, dust, and chemicals
• Work may be performed in a confined space

Equipment Used:

• Operates tools, equipment, and vehicles common to park operations, maintenance, and construction
• Operates vehicles such as dump trucks, snowplows, tractors, and various specialized equipment, such as heavy and light loaders, backhoes, skid loaders, trenchers, and graders commonly used for park facility irrigation installation and maintenance
• Computers with related office and irrigation software 
• Computerized communication devices
• This role may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.