Irrigation Specialist

General purpose

Under general supervision of the Horticulture management team, the Irrigation Specialist will work independently or as part of a team to maintain Fresno’s Chaffee Zoo Corporation’s (FCZC) irrigation systems to maintain the health of the landscaping and grounds. This position requires collaboration with FCZC staff, contractors, and the public to advance the FCZC’s mission by inspiring our guests to care for animals, make connections, build community, and save wildlife.

Full-Time employees receive our comprehensive compensation package which includes 100% employer paid Medical/Dental/Vision, Employee Assistance Program, 401k, 10 Paid Holidays, Paid Sick and Paid Vacation time on an accrued basis. The pay range for this position is $20.81 - $21.85 per hour. Offers will be based on the successful candidate's experience

Essential accountabilities

• Responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of the Zoo’s commercial irrigation systems including controllers, valves, sprinklers, emitters, and related equipment.
• Inspect, test, troubleshoot, and repair irrigation system components including controllers, timers, valves, lateral and main lines, rotors, spray heads, drip irrigation and pumps.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance on irrigation systems to maximize system reliability and minimize water loss.
• Conduct regular irrigation audits to identify and repair inefficiencies, coverage issues, leaks, pressure problems and opportunities for water conservation.
• Read and interpret irrigation plans, blueprints, and system maps to support installation, maintenance, and repairs.
• Locate underground irrigation infrastructure and coordinate repairs while minimizing disruption to existing landscapes and facilities. 
• Assist with the planning, installation, and expansion of irrigation systems for new landscaping and habitat projects. 
• Maintain an inventory of irrigation parts, supplies, and tools and recommend replacement or upgrades as needed.
• Respond promptly to irrigation emergencies, including major leaks, broken mains, controller failures, and other water system issues. 
• Promote safe work practices and ensure proper operation of irrigation equipment, trenching equipment, and hand and power tools.
• Operate gardening equipment including lawn mowers, edgers, weed-eaters, pole saws, backpack blowers and other hand and power tools as needed.
• Assist with the planting of flowers, shrubs, trees, and grasses as needed.
• Move and replace soil, gravel, sand and other rock and mineral materials as needed.
• Remove debris and refuge from landscaping and other Zoo grounds as needed.
• Perform various plumbing, electrical and general maintenance tasks as needed to maintain Zoo landscaping and grounds.
• Assist with the general maintenance of facilities, equipment, buildings and grounds.
• Safely operate a vehicle for business purposes including but not limited to going to and from FCZC’s facilities and offsite.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support team and organizational goals.

Education and job Qualifications

• Minimum two (2) years’ work experience in commercial irrigation installation, irrigation maintenance, and irrigation repair required.  
• Minimum two (2) years of work experience diagnosing, troubleshooting, and repairing commercial irrigation components, including mainline breaks, lateral lines, and valves required. 
• Minimum one (1) year of documented work experience in a safety orientated environment requiring strict adherence to operational safety rules and the mandatory use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required. 
• Minimum one (1) year work experience reading and interpreting irrigation blueprints, site maps, and technical piping schematics preferred.  
• Minimum one (1) year work experience operating various types of large, motorized machinery including, but not limited to, forklifts, scissor lift, boom, bobcat, and pallet jacks preferred.
• Minimum one (1) year working with Microsoft Office Suite and other business software preferred. 
• California driver's license, valid vehicle insurance, enrolled in the CA Employer Pull Notice program and successful completion of the FCZ Drivers Training Program required.
• Minimum of one (1) year work experience using horticultural-related mechanical equipment (mowers, leaf blowers, string trimmers, chainsaws, pole saws, etc.) preferred. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

These are physical and mental requirements of the position as it is typically performed. Inability to meet one or more of these physical or mental requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. Upon request for a reasonable accommodation, the Zoo may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates, and the proposed accommodation.

• This position is regularly required to bend, stoop, crouch, and kneel.
• Use hands and arms for operation of gardening equipment and other machinery; use fingers for fine manipulation of hand tools and plants.
• This position is required to lift, push, pull or carry up to 100 pounds.
• This position requires walking up to eight (8) miles daily.
• Visual acuity to operate machinery and read printed instructions and safety information, and to assess the thoroughness of the work assigned. Color perception is also required.
• Receive detailed information through oral communication (in person and via telephone) at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
• Expressing or exchanging ideas through the spoken word. The employee must convey detailed or important spoken information to others in individual and small group settings.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position functions primarily outdoors, with exposure to heat, cold, inclement weather, insects, poor air quality, Zoo environments and external events.
• The employee is exposed to hazardous chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, etc.), fumes from equipment operation, and dust/dirt from Zoo grounds.
• This position is required to work at heights up to 80’.
• The position works in close proximity to Zoo animals.
• Occasional local travel and occasional out-of-town travel required
• Ability to work overtime, evenings, weekdays, weekends, and holidays.