Irrigation Specialist - Maintenance Grounds/Carpentry

Cherry Creek Schools; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Cherry Creek Schools seeks an Irrigation Specialist to inspect, maintain, and repair district irrigation systems, ensuring water efficiency and healthy landscapes. You will work independently and with the grounds team to meet conservation standards and regulatory requirements.

The role requires experience with irrigation control systems, pumps, and backflow devices, plus a CIT or willingness to obtain certification within 90 days. This is a full-time, on-site position based in Colorado.

Qualifications

• Criminal background check and fingerprinting required.
• High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma.
• Two (2) years of professional work experience.
• Knowledge of maintenance and operation of trenchers and various equipment.
• Colorado driver’s license; insurability requirements fulfilled.
• Licensed in Backflow Prevention or must obtain within first year.
• Certified Irrigation Technician (CIT) or must obtain within 90 days.

Responsibilities

• Inspect, troubleshoot, and repair irrigation systems across district sites including mainlines and valves. Daily/regular duties.
• Maintain accurate records of inspections, water usage, and equipment inventory.
• Respond promptly to reports of malfunctioning systems or water-related emergencies.
• Program and adjust irrigation schedules to meet seasonal needs and conservation goals.
• Tests, repairs, and services pumps and backflow devices.
• Collaborate with grounds staff to coordinate irrigation with mowing and fertilization.

Skills

Irrigation systems

Maintenance experience

Trencher operation

Education

HSE diploma

CIT certification or equivalent

Tools

Backflow license

Colorado driver's license

Job description

Job Title

Irrigation Specialist

FLSA Exemption Status

Non-Exempt

Classification Group

Custodial, Maintenance, Grounds, and Carpentry

Pay Plan

Custodial, Maintenance, Grounds, and Carpentry

Pay Range

Range 11

Last Updated

06/12/2025

Job Summary

Responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, and installation of the district’s irrigation systems to ensure efficient water use and healthy landscapes. Ensure that systems are functioning optimally and comply with local water conservation and regulatory standards. Work is performed independently and as part of a grounds maintenance team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The subsequent duties outline the fundamental operations of the position and exemplify the nature of the tasks carried out. They do not encompass a comprehensive inventory of the obligations and responsibilities fulfilled in this role. The approximation of frequencies and time allocation percentages are flexible and subject to the requirements of the organization.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 1. Inspect, troubleshoot, and repair irrigation systems across all district sites including mainlines, lateral lines, valves, heads, controllers, sensors, and backflow devices. Daily (20%)
• 2. Maintain accurate records of inspections, repairs, water usage, and equipment inventory. Daily (5%)
• 3. Respond promptly to reports of malfunctioning systems or water-related emergencies. Daily (5%)
• 4. Share on-call and snow removal duties as assigned. Daily (5%)
• 5. Program and adjust irrigation schedules using central control systems to meet seasonal landscape requirements and water conservation goals. Weekly (10%)
• 6. Tests, repairs, and services pumps (¾ HP - 30HP) and backflow devices. Monthly (8%)
• 7. Supervises and performs all phases of landscape construction, maintenance, and repair District-wide, including assisting with fertilization as needed. Monthly (7%)
• 8. Collaborate with grounds staff to coordinate irrigation needs with mowing, landscaping, fertilization, and aeration schedules. Monthly (5%)
• 9. Conduct seasonal start-ups, shutdowns, and winterizations in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and climate demands. Biannually (15%)
• 10. Recommend improvements, upgrades, or replacements of inefficient or outdated systems. Biannually (5%)
• 11. Monitor and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal water use regulations, including backflow prevention. Biannually (5%)
• 12. Supervises and performs layouts and installation of irrigation systems. Annually (5%)
• 13. Perform other duties as assigned or requested. Daily (5%)

Reporting Relationships

This job has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

The minimum prerequisites of formal education, professional work experience, certifications, licenses, endorsements, designations, trainings, and other criteria that a candidate must fulfill to be considered for a position. It is essential that certifications, licenses, endorsements, designations, and trainings are fulfilled, valid, and not expired.

• Criminal background check and fingerprinting required
• High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma
• Two (2) years of professional work experience
• Knowledge of maintenance and operation of trenchers and various equipment
• Must have a phone for emergency contact
• Must meet the insurability requirements of the Colorado School District Self Insurance Pool
• Colorado driver’s license
• Licensed in Backflow Prevention or must obtain within the first year of employment
• Certified Irrigation Technician (CIT) or must obtain within 90 days of employment

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

The physical demands, mental functions, cognitive capacities, and work environment factors required to perform a position’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Heavy work strength level (lifting or carrying up to 100 pounds)
• Primarily works outdoors with exposure to rain, snow, and extreme heat or cold
• Typically a moderate noise level
• Work location is subject to change to meet the requirements of the organization
• Overhead lifting and squatting are required on daily projects
• Repetitive motion (i.e., digging, bending, kneeling, etc.)
• Pushing and pulling
• Climbing stairs, ladders, and vehicles
• Working at various vertical heights

Desired Qualifications

Formal education, professional work experience, certifications, licenses, endorsements, designations, trainings, and other qualifications relevant to the position that are strongly preferred but not mandatory for a candidate to be considered.

• Experience working in the public sector
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Racially conscious and culturally competent with the skill, will, capacity, and knowledge to commit to a culture of continuous improvement
• Knowledge or experience with snow removal in a truck with a plow