Irrigation Systems Lead — Parks & Open Spaces

Colorado Psychiatric; Colorado; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Arapahoe County Open Spaces seeks an Irrigation Specialist to maintain and improve irrigation systems across parks and agricultural sites. This field-based role requires diagnosing pump, controller, and electrical issues, performing startup/winterization, and supporting water conservation programs.

The ideal candidate has extensive irrigation knowledge, turf management experience, and the ability to train staff.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of irrigation principles, maintenance and repair.
• Extensive knowledge and skills in materials, tools, and equipment for irrigation and park maintenance.
• Knowledge of GPS, GIS, ET-based data collection and irrigation asset management.
• Knowledge of parks, open space, trail and landscape maintenance practices.
• Knowledge of safety practices and ability to train field staff.
• Understanding of Best Management Practices in turf irrigation and system operation.
• General horticulture knowledge including plant identification and landscape design baseline.
• Ability to use work order software to track irrigation, turf and horticultural activities.
• Ability to work independently and lead a team when needed.
• Ability to apply pesticides/herbicides as part of integrated pest and turf management.

Responsibilities

• Maintains irrigation systems for parks and agricultural sites, including startup, winterization, inspections, and repairs.
• Troubleshoots pumps, controllers, and electrical issues for efficient operation.
• Performs routine maintenance on clocks, heads, lines, boosters, and backflows to optimize water delivery.
• Implements irrigation plans and water conservation programs for divisional properties.
• Reads irrigation construction documents and provides input for new designs with planning staff.
• Repairs wells, pumps, and electrical systems; maintains irrigation ponds and water levels.
• Operates diverse maintenance and construction equipment and county vehicles.
• Monitors turf and plant health; oversees system maintenance and programming.
• Maintains records and reports using county software; supports event logistics and snow removal as needed.
• Ensures permits and water rights compliance; reports water meter readings to authorities.

Skills

Irrigation systems

Controller management

Pumps and electrical

GPS GIS

Pesticides herbicides

Field staff training

Safety practices

Team leadership

Pond maintenance

Water rights management

Education

Associate degree in landscape horticulture

First Aid/CPR/AED certification

CDL Class A

Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor/Technician

High school diploma or GED

Tools

GPS devices

ET-based central control systems

Maintenance management software

County software applications

Job description

Arapahoe County Open Spaces seeks an Irrigation Specialist to maintain and improve irrigation systems across parks and agricultural sites. This field-based role requires diagnosing pump, controller, and electrical issues, performing startup/winterization, and supporting water conservation programs.

The ideal candidate has extensive irrigation knowledge, turf management experience, and the ability to train staff.