Irrigation Technician - Groundskeeper III

Montana State University; Hollymead (VA); On-site; Full time

Job summary

An established educational institution is seeking a dedicated Irrigation Technician to enhance campus landscapes and ecosystems. This role involves maintaining irrigation systems, supporting large campus events, and ensuring safety during adverse weather. The ideal candidate will possess strong skills in grounds maintenance, irrigation system design, and customer service. Join a team committed to sustainability and community engagement, where your contributions will directly impact the campus environment and the experiences of students and visitors alike. If you have a passion for landscaping and a desire to make a difference, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• High school diploma plus relevant post-secondary education or 2 years experience in grounds maintenance.
• Experience in installation and maintenance of irrigation systems is essential.

Responsibilities

• Operate specialized grounds maintenance and snow removal equipment.
• Design and maintain irrigation systems and manage campus landscapes.

Skills

Irrigation system design and maintenance

Grounds maintenance operations

Landscape construction

Operating specialized landscape equipment

Customer service

Waste management practices

Snow removal operations

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Post-secondary education in landscape-horticulture

Tools

Backhoes

Skid steers

Dump trucks

Large mowers

Personal computers (Microsoft Office)

Job description

Irrigation Technician - Groundskeeper III

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Working Title: Irrigation Technician - Groundskeeper III

Brief Position Overview: Under general supervision of the Grounds Manager, Groundskeepers maintain and improve campus landscapes and ecosystems with a focus on reducing longer term maintenance and providing outdoor learning opportunities for the communities we serve, as well as maintain campus safety including responding to adverse weather. In addition, they support large campus events such as sports and concerts, ensure infrastructure such as irrigation and storm water systems are functioning properly, and actively participate in support of programs such as Tree Campus USA and Waste and Recycling management.

Position Number: 4N1321

Department: Facility Services

Division: University Services

Appointment Type: Classified

Contract Term: Fiscal Year

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Union Affiliation: Laborers

FTE: 1.0

Salary Minimum: $26.14 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

General Statement: The Landscape and Grounds section of Facilities is responsible for the management and improvement of the irrigation system, minimizing the deterioration of campus grounds, maintaining the campus aesthetic, implementing campus landscape and grounds improvements, operating the recycling and solid waste programs, producing and reviewing plans and specifications for proposed construction projects, as well as evaluating finished construction as it relates to such specifications, and keeping the grounds free from physical hazards to campus users.

Duties and Responsibilities: Under general supervision of the Grounds Manager, the individual in this position operates a wide variety of specialized grounds maintenance, landscape construction, road maintenance, waste management, and snow removal equipment. Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Irrigation system design, installation and maintenance
• Turf management; tree and shrub maintenance and installation
• Street and sidewalk maintenance
• Landscape design and construction; greenhouse production; flowerbed design and maintenance
• Street, sidewalk, and entryway snow removal and alleviation of icy hazards
• Weed and outside pest control; equipment repair and maintenance
• Maintaining and producing landscape inventories and other detailed records
• Waste/recycling collection, hauling and disposal
• Performing related duties as required.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills:

• High school diploma or equivalent, plus relevant post-secondary education in a landscape-horticulture/maintenance curriculum or related area and/or up to 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) experience in a commercial/large-scale grounds maintenance operation.
• Experience in the installation and maintenance of underground irrigation systems.
• Experience in general commercial grounds maintenance operations.
• Experience operating specialized landscape equipment such as backhoes, skid steers, dump trucks, roll-off trucks, large mowers (72" deck or larger) and other equipment.
• Demonstrated competence using personal computers and software, such as word processing, spreadsheets, electronic calendars, and email. Microsoft Office preferred.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills:

• Demonstrated experience with installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting commercial irrigation systems including pumps and water distribution.
• Experience balancing multiple work assignments, meeting deadlines, and exercising adaptability to changing priorities.
• Experience and skill maintaining small engine machinery and performing incidental and emergency repairs on grounds maintenance equipment.
• Experience operating snow removal machinery.
• Experience in recycling/waste management practices.

The Successful Candidate Will:

• Consistently exercise initiative and good judgment.
• Effectively and safely operate work-related equipment and tools.
• Accurately follow written and oral instructions and procedures.
• Communicate effectively with co-workers, supervisors, and clients in person, by phone, or electronically.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, and the public and be a successful team player.
• Provide excellent customer service; and represent the department and MSU to others in a professional and courteous manner.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information:

Must possess currently or be eligible to obtain a valid State of Montana Driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record (less than 12 points). Have (able to obtain within 5 months of the start date) a valid Commercial Driver’s License (Class B, Type II). The final candidate selected for this position will be required to successfully pass a pre-employment drug test. Upon providing proof of possessing a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), the person in this position will be enrolled in the random drug and alcohol testing program. The work schedule is typically 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, but may vary greatly depending on departmental need. The person in this position may be called in for work at any time, particularly during the snow season. Snow removal operations may require a very early start time, with little prior warning. Weekend work will often be required.

Physical Demands:

• Application of herbicides and pesticides.
• Performing physically demanding work such as shoveling, post-pounding, etc.
• Personally transporting objects weighing up to 100 lbs., and working in dirty, dusty conditions, as well as in inclement weather.

This position has supervisory duties? No

Number of Vacancies: 1

Desired Start Date: Upon completion of a successful search.

Applications will be: Screening of applications will begin on September 27, 2024; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

EEO Statement: Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law. In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Required Documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).