Irrigation Specialist - Maintenance Grounds/Carpentry

Cherry Creek Careers; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Cherry Creek Careers is seeking an Irrigation Specialist to maintain, repair, and install district irrigation systems, ensuring efficient water use and landscape health. You will work independently and with a grounds team to keep systems compliant with regulations.

Responsibilities include inspecting components, programming schedules, maintaining records, and coordinating with grounds staff on seasonal tasks; a CIT or obtaining within 90 days is required, along with a Colorado driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Criminal background check and fingerprinting required
• Two years of professional work experience
• Colorado driver’s license
• Backflow prevention license or obtain within first year
• Certified Irrigation Technician (CIT) or must obtain within 90 days of employment

Responsibilities

• Inspect, troubleshoot, and repair irrigation systems across district sites including mains, locals, valves, heads, controllers, sensors, and backflow devices
• Maintain accurate records of inspections, repairs, water usage, and equipment inventory
• Respond promptly to reports of malfunctioning systems or water-related emergencies
• Share on-call and snow removal duties as assigned
• Program and adjust irrigation schedules using central control systems to meet seasonal landscape requirements and water conservation goals
• Test, repair, and service pumps (¾ HP – 30HP) and backflow devices
• Supervise landscape construction, maintenance, and repair district-wide, including fertilization assistance
• Collaborate with grounds staff to coordinate irrigation with mowing, landscaping, fertilization, and aeration schedules
• Conduct seasonal start-ups, shutdowns, and winterizations per manufacturer guidelines and climate demands
• Recommend improvements, upgrades, or replacements of inefficient or outdated systems
• Monitor compliance with water use regulations, including backflow prevention
• Supervise layouts and installation of irrigation systems
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Irrigation systems

Troubleshooting

Record-keeping

Safety awareness

Education

High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma

Certified Irrigation Technician (CIT)

Tools

Backflow devices

Trenchers

Job description

Job Title: Irrigation Specialist

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Classification Group: Custodial, Maintenance, Grounds, and Carpentry

Supervising Position:

Pay Plan: Custodial, Maintenance, Grounds, and Carpentry

Pay Range: Range 11

Last Updated: 06/12/2025

Pay Information

Benefits Information

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.

Job Task Descriptions

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

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

• 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

• 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