IRRIGATION TECHNICIAN (Class Code 797) DEFINITION Under the general supervision of the Grounds Maintenance Specialist and or the Grounds and Landscaping Supervisor perform tasks in the installation, maintenance, repair and/or operation of the District irrigation systems and controls, including computer operated systems; performs skilled and complex gardening tasks; mix and apply pesticides/herbicides. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The primary responsibility of this class involves the installation, maintenance, repair and/or opera-tion of the school District irrigation systems and controls. In addition, the incumbent performs skilled and complex gardening tasks, and completes all spraying of insecticides/pesticides/herbicides on lawns, fields, slopes, and in and around buildings. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Essential duties and responsibilities of this class include but are not limited to: • Performs the full range of general grounds maintenance, gardening and landscaping activities • Cleans, adjusts, maintains, repairs, removes and installs irrigation heads • Installs, maintains, repairs and/or replaces mainline and lateral line pipes • Cleans, adjusts, maintains, repairs, removes and installs manual, electronic and hydraulic irri-gation valves • Repairs and locates irrigation control wires, using a wire tracer or volt/ohm meter • Operates, program and repairs automatic irrigation controllers and central control irrigation systems • Assists in the development of specifications & standards • Reads, understands, drafts and follows blueprints, specifications, construction documents and As-builts • Performs take off estimates and creates material lists • Keeps work records and completes jobs from work orders • Digs trenches, ditches or holes using manual hand tools • Operates heavy equipment such as front end loader, skid steer with attachments, trenchers, backhoe, augers, bucket, etc. • Completes all spraying of insecticides/pesticides/herbicides on lawns, fields, slopes, and in and around buildings • Operates manual and automatic transmissions motor vehicles • Wears assigned personal safety equipment • Performs other related duties as required QUALIFICATIONS: KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY Knowledge of: • Methods, materials, tools and equipment used in the installation, maintenance and repair of irrigation systems and controls • Construction power tools • Common plant and tree diseases • Insect pests and method(s) of control • Proper spraying of insecticides/herbicides • Occupational hazards and proper safety practices and procedures • Regulations applicable to work being performed • Irrigation systems layouts Ability to: • Understand and follow oral and written instructions • Communicate effectively orally and in writing • Establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers and others • Adapt well to changes in assignments and priorities • Show a high level of care and thoroughness in handling the details of the job • Complete work with many interruptions • Work from drawings, blueprints, plans and specifications • Prepare and complete simple reports • Establish and maintain accurate records and files • Perform strenuous work assignments • Exercise control over equipment, materials and supplies • Meet schedules and time lines • Work independently without immediate supervision • Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action • Act ethically beyond reproach • Recognize potential hazards in the workplace and sees that they are addressed • Maintain sensitivity to ethnic, cultural and sexual differences KEY COMPETENCIES Safety Focus / Sensory Perception Skills / Attention to Detail / Flexibility / Teamwork / Environmen-tal-Exposure Tolerance / Physical Skills / Technical Expertise / Dependability / Planning and Orga-nizing / Using Technology / Analysis and Problem Solving / Initiative and Innovativeness EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION Experience: Two (2) years of full-time/work-related landscape/irrigation experience, with empha-sis on design and/or maintenance of irrigation control and delivery systems is re-quired. Education: Must possess a secondary (i.e., high school) school diploma, or its equivalent (GED). SPECIAL LICENSE OR LANGUAGE SKILLS • A valid Class ‘C’ California Driver's License is required • Certified Irrigation Technician, certified by the Irrigation Association of California is desirable • May be required to obtain & maintain a valid Class ‘B’ Driver’s License, with air brake en-dorsement PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Employees must be physically and mentally able to perform the essential duties of a position with or without reasonable accommodation and without hazard to themselves or others. Employees in this classification may stand, walk, sit, may lift and carry up to 100 lbs., with assis-tance, carry, push/pull, maintain balance, stoop/bend, bend repeatedly, reach over head, re-petitively use fingers, repetitively use wrists or hand in a twisting motion or while applying pressure, use both hands/legs simultaneously, have rapid mental/muscular coordination, speak clearly, hear normal voice conversation, have depth perception, color vision, distinguish shades, see small details, see long distances, and operate a mobile motorized equipment. WORK ENVIRONMENT Employees in this classification work outside, in temperatures above 90° and below 50°, in chang-ing temperatures, with sharp objects (e.g. trenchers), dust, chemicals (e.g. pesticides/herbicides), odors, machinery with moving parts (e.g. front end loader, skid steer with attachments, backhoe, augers, bucket, etc.), moving vehicles, in direct contact with the public, other District staff, in the absence of direct supervision. APPOINTMENT Employees receiving a regular appointment to this class must serve a probationary period of one hundred and thirty (130) days of paid service. During this period, the employee must demonstrate an overall satisfactory level of performance. Failure to do so shall result in the employee's termination without right of appeal to the Personnel Commission. ADOPTED BY THE PERSONNEL COMMISSION ON: JANUARY 15, 2009