Lead Irrigation Mechanic - 141551

UC San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 78,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego invites applications for the Lead Irrigation Mechanic to lead skilled irrigation work across campus systems. You will plan, install, inspect, troubleshoot and maintain irrigation infrastructure while coordinating with campus customers, vendors, and third-party providers.

You will provide direction for Grounds irrigation work, schedule tasks for Recreation facilities, and train staff to ensure quality and timely completion.

Qualifications

• Proven journey-level irrigation experience including modifications, repairs, and installations.
• Experience with battery-operated, hydraulic and electrical controllers and related piping.
• Ability to operate and maintain landscape equipment (mowers, tractors, rototillers).
• Knowledge of plant materials and horticultural needs.
• Ability to read blueprints/diagrams for installations and repairs.
• Must obtain Recycled Water Site Supervisor Training within 6 months of hire.
• Proficient with MS Office, email, and CMMS.
• Experience with commercial irrigation control systems.

Responsibilities

• Plan, install, schedule, inspect, troubleshoot and maintain Recreation irrigation systems.
• Provide work direction for all Grounds irrigation tasks and coordinate with customers and vendors.
• Train staff and ensure quality control and timely completion; act as lead in supervisor's absence.
• Uphold UC San Diego Principles of Community; promote a positive team environment.

Skills

Irrigation installation

Plant knowledge

Operate mowers

Blueprint reading

Safety awareness

Documentation

RWS certification training

Software proficiency

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

CMMS

Adobe

Job description

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 10/2/26 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

Under supervision, the Lead Irrigation Mechanic perform the full range of skilled journey-level and semi-skilled irrigation work on campus irrigation systems. Duties include but are not limited to planning, installing, scheduling, inspecting, troubleshooting repairing and maintaining Recreation irrigation systems and responding to trouble calls. Inspect components to ascertain required repairs through proper troubleshooting techniques, and use of various test equipment and schematics. Coordinate services with campus customers, vendors and third-party companies and assist with questions regarding work performed. Provide expeditious, professional and courteous customer service. Perform landscape and turf management functions as assigned.

The Lead Irrigation Mechanic, provide work direction for all irrigation work performed by Grounds shop. Coordinate and schedule irrigation work for all Recreation facilities. Provide instruction and training to additional employees and oversee for quality control and timely completion. Serves as acting team lead and point of contact in the absence of the supervisor.

At all times, the Lead Irrigation Mechanic will demonstrate the characteristics of professionalism in attire, attitude, conversation, behavior and attentiveness to others. All staff members are required to uphold the UC San Diego Principles of Community and to promote a positive and collaborative team environment.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The Lead Irrigation Mechanic will also perform other duties commensurate with the level and scope of this position as requested by their supervisor or other leadership personnel. The Lead Irrigation Mechanic will assist and support their colleagues during times of peak workload as appropriate and as approved by their supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven journey level skills and experience performing modifications, repairs, installations and alterations to both manual and automatic irrigation systems and components. Experience and skill to plan, install, repair and modify a variety of irrigation systems in a large academic or commercial setting.

• Experience installing and maintaining battery-operated, hydraulic and electrical irrigation controllers; low voltage irrigation control wires, PVC, PC, galvanized iron and copper irrigation lines; automatic and manual valves, subterranean drip, drip hosing, and tubing, mechanical or hydraulic irrigation heads.

• Experience operating commonly used hand and power grounds related equipment and tools such as shovel, trenchers, tractors, rototillers, air-compressor, backhoe, jackhammer, and other commonly used larger pieces of power-driven equipment.

• Knowledge of live plant materials and horticultural requirements and practices.

• Demonstrated ability to safely operate "ride on" mowers, tractors, turf sweepers, dump trucks and associated attachments and equipment for turf mowing, aerating and de-thatching. Demonstrated ability to safely operate trenchers, aerators, rototillers and other commonly used power-driven landscape maintenance equipment.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, self-motivation, adaptability, tactfulness and decisiveness.

• Knowledge of and ability to use appropriate safety equipment.

• Must be able to work in confined spaces and physically able to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Ability to set priorities and workloads with minimal supervision, and plan work effectively in the field with customers and without direct supervision.

• Ability to document irrigation system changes and/or new installations through written information and/or prints.

• Skill in reading, interpreting and understanding blueprints, diagrams and other technical information to perform needed installations, modifications and repairs.

• Recycled Water Site Supervisor Training Certification obtained within 6 months of hire or soonest availability of training

• Experienced use of standard computer systems and applications including Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, electronic mail, timekeeping systems and web-based applications.

• Experienced user of commercial irrigation control systems and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• This job works Onsite only. The regular work schedule is 40 hours per week, Mon-Fri 6:00am-2:30pm.

• Requires flexibility in work schedule to meet demanding and changing workload. May be required to work after core business hours and/or weekends, on occasion. Occasional overtime may be necessary.

• The job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

• Vacation restrictions during critical/deadline periods.

• Will be required to hold valid driver's license and have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures.

• Required to possess and maintain Recycled Water Site Supervisor Training Certification. Must be obtained within 6 months of hire or soonest availability of training. Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

• Mandated Reporter: This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter pursuant to the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and requires immediate reporting of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, or neglect of anyone under the age of 18. It is the responsibility of the Mandated Reporter to ensure that they obtain proper training in order to fulfill their reporting responsibilities as required by the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and University policy and to complete and submit the required reports to the UC San Diego Police Department without delay.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $86,736 - $86,736 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $41.54 - $41.54

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).