(Auraria) Pipe/Mechanical Trades II - Campus Irrigation Technician.

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 48,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation & holidays

Sick leave

Medical, dental & vision benefits

Discounted RTD Eco-Pass

Retirement plan

Job summary

Auraria Campus in Denver seeks an Irrigation Subject Matter Expert (SME) to manage all irrigation operations, from start-up to shutdown, overseeing ~800 control zones and 40 controllers across the campus.

The role includes leading a 2–3 person Grounds I team, providing training and mentorship, supporting snow removal, and ensuring safety while working outdoors. Applicants should have 3+ years of relevant experience and a Colorado driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience in grounds maintenance, irrigation systems, plumbing/pipe-mechanical trades, or related work.
• Must possess a valid unencumbered Colorado driver's license at the time of application.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot campus irrigation systems and related plumbing/electrical components.
• Lead a small team of 2–3 Grounds I employees; provide guidance, training, and performance feedback.
• Support campus snow removal operations and safety procedures.
• Maintain grounds and irrigation-related equipment and vehicles; ensure safe outdoor environments.
• Provide field support for irrigation operations and seasonal maintenance.

Skills

Irrigation systems

Plumbing trades

Electrical controls

Team leadership

Water conservation

Troubleshooting

Tools

Digital controllers

Web-based controls

Grounds equipment

Job description

Who We Are:

Department Information
Who We Are:
Welcome to the Auraria Campus located in the Platte River Valley in downtown Denver. The Auraria Campus is the service provider for 38,000 students and approximately 5000 faculty and staff working at and attending the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver and the University of Colorado Denver. Learn more about us through this link: The Auraria Campus
The Auraria Campus consists of a 153 acre campus with over 30 acres of irrigated landscape areas, including turf, trees, shrubs, and other native and low water vegetation.
Auraria employees enjoy an excellent benefits package which includes paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave, multiple medical, dental and vision options, discounted RTD Eco-Pass, BenefitHub and outstanding retirement plan. Learn more through this link: Benefits Package .
So, if you're interested in a great job working alongside great people, this may be the opportunity for which you've been waiting for.
Description Of Job
Job Summary:
This position serves as the Irrigation Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the Auraria Campus and independently manages all irrigation-related operations, including system start-up and shut-down, emergency repairs, system monitoring, and performance optimization using web-based controls, approximately forty (40) controllers, and timers to operate nearly eight-hundred (800) control zones. The role performs advanced irrigation, plumbing, pipe-fitting, and low-voltage electrical control work to ensure efficient system operation, including oversight of campus well and well pump systems.
In addition, this position supports and helps lead campus snow removal operations, including shoveling, salting, plowing, and clearing walkways and roadways. The position also serves as a lead worker for a small team of employees, providing training, mentorship, work direction, and performance-related feedback to management.
Schedule: This is a full-time, 40-hour per-week position, Monday-Friday. The workday begins between 5:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. and ends between 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., depending on the daily operational needs.
Essential Job Functions: Irrigation Systems Operations, and Troubleshooting

• Independently performs advanced irrigation and pipe/mechanical trades work related to the campus irrigation system, including inspections, installations, repairs, and monitoring water flow across campus irrigation plumbing and piping systems.
• Evaluates
• irrigation system performance, water flow, pressure, and sprinkler coverage to identify issues and implement corrective actions.
• Adjusts irrigation schedules using digital controllers and web-based irrigation systems to support water conservation and efficient operations.
• Diagnoses irrigation system failures and determines appropriate repair methods based on system conditions and operational needs.
• Troubleshoots and repairs low-voltage electrical control systems associated with irrigation operations.
• Evaluates well and pump system performance and implements operational or maintenance adjustments to maintain reliable irrigation service.
• Provides training, guidance, and technical support to staff on irrigation operations, sprinkler repairs, and irrigation installation and maintenance best practices.

Lead Worker & Technical Resource

• Serves as a lead worker for a small team of 2-3 Grounds I employees, providing technical guidance, mentorship, and training related to irrigation systems, plumbing repairs, equipment operation, and departmental standards.
• Provides hands-on instruction and technical support on grounds equipment, hand tools, campus standards, and geographical area responsibilities.
• Performs back-up grounds and irrigation work in assigned areas when staff are unavailable.
• Reviews completed work to ensure compliance with operational standards, irrigation best practices, and department expectations.
• Provides performance-related feedback and operational input to the Grounds and Vehicle Maintenance.

Landscape and Turf Maintenance

• Monitors irrigation system performance and operational efficiency across campus grounds, including irrigation start-up, tuning, fertilizing, aerating, seeding, top dressing, mowing, and trimming.
• Installs, repairs, and adjusts drip irrigation systems for trees and shrubs, and performs trimming of trees, shrubs, and flowers as needed.
• Reviews irrigation system data, evaluates turf health and irrigation coverage, and implements necessary system adjustments and maintenance priorities.
• Reviews irrigation system data, evaluates turf health and irrigation coverage, and implements necessary system adjustments and maintenance priorities.
• Adjusts irrigation schedules and controller settings to support seasonal needs and water conservation efforts.
• Identifies potential system failures and recommends repairs, upgrades, and operational improvements to enhance system reliability and efficiency.

Grounds and Equipment Operation Support

• Operates maintains, sets up, and cleans grounds and irrigation-related equipment and vehicles in support of campus operations.
• Performs washing and cleaning of trash cans, patios, and entryways.
• Assists with maintaining safe, functional, and well-maintained campus outdoor environments.
• Provides field support for irrigation system operations, repairs, and seasonal maintenance activities.

Snow Removal & Daily Safety

• Provides coverage as part of the campus Snow Removal Team, including support for snow and ice removal operations.
• Stocks and maintains safety supplies and equipment for the Grounds Shop.
• Provides personal safety training and equipment to crew members.
• Leads and trains employees on snow removal procedures and other related special projects and tasks.

Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

• Three (3) years of experience in grounds maintenance, irrigation systems, plumbing/pipe-mechanical trades, or related work, or a combination of related education and/or formalized apprenticeship training. (This must be clearly demonstrated on your application)
• Must possess a valid unencumbered Colorado driver's license at the time of application.

Conditions Of Employment:

• The person selected for this position must maintain their ability to stand for long periods of time as well as kneel, stoop, crouch, reach and grab in the performance of job-related duties.
• This person selected for this position must maintain their ability to exert up to 100 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects.
• Must be willing and able to be exposed to adverse weather while performing snow removal duties.
• Must maintain a valid unencumbered driver's license.
• Please note that if offered employment, candidates will be required to furnish a copy of the motor vehicle report (MVR) as part of the background check process.

Supplemental Information
Colorado Partnership For Quality Jobs And Services Act Information:
After careful review of this position and the duties that it performs, it has been designated in accordance with the Colorado Partnership for Quality Jobs and Services Act as a "Not Covered" position, it does not fall in the category of employees that are eligible for representation by COWINS, also known as the union. To learn more about this designation please visit this link: http://coloradowins.org/
E-mail Address:
All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be conducted by email.
Minimum Qualifications
Your application as submitted is used to determine if you meet Minimum Qualifications. Please read the Minimum Qualifications and ensure that information in your application "draw correlations" to the Minimum Qualifications. Human Resources Analysts will not infer that you meet the Minimum Qualifications if information isn't detailed in your application.
*Years of experience will be expressed in terms of full-time equivalent service with full-time workload equal to one (1) Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) year. No more than 1.00 FTE year may be credited in any twelve (12) month period. Positions working 40 hours or less per week will be pro-rated (30 hrs/wk=0.75 FTE=9 mos credit; 20 hrs/wk=0.5 FTE=6 mos credit; 10 hrs/wk=0.25 FTE=3 mos credit.) *
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.
The Auraria Campus is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Nicole Yanez at [e-mail]