Irrigation Specialist - Parks

City of Aurora; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 24,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance benefits

Paid holidays and leave

Paid CDL training

Annual bonus for maintaining CDL

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

The City of Aurora is seeking candidates for a maintenance position focused on irrigation system upkeep and repairs. With a salary range of $23.84 - $29.80/hour, this role offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for career advancement.

Applicants need at least a high school diploma, 2 years of maintenance experience, and must obtain a Class B CDL within the first 6 months. Strong problem-solving and physical capability are essential for the role.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years maintenance experience and 1 year irrigation experience required.
• Experience with mainline repairs, valve repair, electrical components is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance on irrigation systems including repairs to components and lines.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain backflow prevention devices.
• Assist in training other employees as needed.

Skills

Tool and equipment usage for parks maintenance

Intermediate computer skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Location

13645 E Ellsworth Ave, Aurora, Colorado 80012-1331

Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well‑Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On‑site fitness center and overall employee well‑being programs
• Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

Salary

Hiring salary $23.84 - $29.80/hour. Salary to be commensurate with experience.

This posting is being used to fill multiple vacancies.

Benefits

• Paid CDL training
• Up to $1,000 annual bonus for maintaining your CDL (if eligibility criteria is met)
• $250.00 boot allowance annually (steel toe or other safety toe boots are required)
• Uniforms provided
• Health insurance benefits, choice of plans that fit your situation
• Paid holidays, vacation, personal leave, and sick leave
• Retirement Plan (rare, employer funded retirement plan)
• Career advancement opportunities (step progression plan, promotions)
• Training assistance through our online Learning Management System as well as a Tuition Assistance Program

Responsibilities

• Performs scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on irrigation systems including mainlines, lateral lines, irrigation heads, drip components, electric control valves, irrigation controllers, master valves, flow sensors, and pumps
• Performs repairs on PVC, brass, copper, ductile, HDPE and stainless‑steel pipe from a one‑half inch up to and including 8‑inch pipe
• Makes minor electrical repairs
• Uses GIS equipment and software
• Performs locates as needed
• Runs tests, troubleshoots, and makes minor/major repairs to all irrigation system components
• Participates in the installation of material, equipment, and systems
• Performs field inspections
• Assists in irrigation programming with central irrigation control using smart controllers to maximize irrigation system efficiency and effectiveness
• Maintains written and computerized records of operation, maintenance, and repairs
• Maintains parts and supplies inventory and provides input to assist in soliciting bids for purchasing
• Assists in training other employees and acts in supervisory capacity as needed
• Responds to inquiries from the public seeking direction and assistance after interpreting policies and procedures
• Troubleshoots, repairs, maintains, and tests backflow prevention devices
• Performs additional duties as assigned

The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first‑come, first‑served basis; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.

Minimum Qualifications & Working Conditions

Education

• High School Diploma or GED

Experience

• At least 2 years of maintenance experience and at least 1 year of irrigation experience
• Experience to include mainline and lateral repairs, valve repair, electrical components, and radios

Licenses and Certifications Required

• Class B Commercial Driver’s License with airbrakes and tanker endorsement required within the first 6 months
• Annual reuse water training certificate required within 12 months of employment
• If employed in the Parks Division, Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Device Tester Certifications within 12 months of employment
• If employed in the Golf Division, Commercial Operator pesticide license in the first 12 months

Licenses and Certifications Preferred

• Certified Irrigation Technician (Irrigation Association)
• Certified Landscape Technician—Irrigation (National Association of Landscape Professionals)
• Confined space certification
• Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (Irrigation Association)

Knowledge

• Knowledge of practices, procedures, equipment, and systems related to irrigation maintenance & construction
• Applicable safety practices and procedures
• Water conservation principles and practices

Skills

• Skill in the use of tools and equipment related to parks maintenance and irrigation construction functions
• Intermediate computer skills and related software applications

Abilities

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and citizens
• Ability to read plans and construction drawings
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Read detailed instructions, diagrams, and schematics
• Maintain records and logs
• Organize, coordinate, and direct the work of others
• Able to complete repetitive lifting tasks

Physical Demands

• Moderate to heavy physical work depending upon assigned function; may require ability to lift up to 100 pounds
• May lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds
• Considerable walking and standing
• Frequently performs activities requiring a full range of body movement including bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, and climbing
• Hand/eye and hand/foot coordination for operation of tools, equipment, and vehicles
• Vision to read manuals, record data, and monitor/observe instruments and gauges
• Hearing/listening for troubleshooting and warning signals
• Speech communication to provide technical information and communicate with employees and citizens

Work Environment

• Works both indoors and outdoors with exposure to all weather conditions, noise, fumes, dust, and chemicals
• Work may be performed in a confined space

Equipment Used

• Operates tools, equipment, and vehicles common to park operations, maintenance, and construction
• Operates vehicles such as dump trucks, snowplows, tractors, and various specialized equipment, such as heavy and light loaders, backhoes, skid loaders, trenchers, and graders commonly used for park facility irrigation installation and maintenance
• Computers with related office and irrigation software
• Computerized communication devices
• This role may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g., vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment

Essential Personnel

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.

The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug‑free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. Applicants selected for safety‑sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety‑sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.