Maintenance Specialist Irrigation Management- Landscape

City of Palmdale; Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Palmdale is seeking a Maintenance Specialist to manage, operate, install, and maintain weather-based centralized irrigation control systems across 485 acres of landscape. The role focuses on optimizing water use, reducing downtime, and ensuring regulatory compliance while supporting green spaces citywide.

Responsibilities include supervising staff, coordinating projects, testing back-flow devices, preparing budgets, administering contracts, and implementing sustainable irrigation

Qualifications

• Four years of increasingly responsible experience in irrigation management.
• Supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Knowledge of ET-based irrigation and water-conservation practices.
• Understanding of backflow prevention devices and related equipment.

Responsibilities

• Manage, operate, install, inspect, troubleshoot, and maintain irrigation systems and related equipment.
• Develop and adjust irrigation schedules based on site conditions and regulations.
• Monitor water consumption and improve irrigation efficiency.
• Maintain records of schedules, inspections, and maintenance.
• Coordinate contracts and supervise staff involved in irrigation operations.

Skills

Irrigation management

Supervisory experience

Water conservation

Technical troubleshooting

Education

High school diploma or GED

CIT Certification

CLIA Certification

CID Certification

CIM Certification

Tools

Irrigation controllers

Irrigation software

Job description

The full salary range for this position is as follows:$37.25 to $47.55. Expected hiring range is as follows: $37.25 to $41.07.

The Maintenance Specialist is responsible for the management, operation, installation, and maintenance of weather-based centralized irrigation control systems within Landscape Maintenance Districts and General Benefit Areas. This position ensures efficient water use while maintaining optimal plant & tree health and is responsible for the operation of 400+ irrigation controllers supporting 485 acres of landscape covering 106 square miles.

The Maintenance Specialist works closely with City staff, contractors, and other personnel responsible for the maintenance of grounds and green spaces. This position ensures irrigation systems operate at optimal levels by minimizing system downtime, maintaining regulatory compliance, improving water-use efficiency, and controlling operational costs.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

The Maintenance Specialist is the advanced journey-level classification in the Maintenance Division.

This classification is distinguished from Senior Maintenance Specialist in that the latter classification is at the working supervisory level responsible for organizing, assigning, training, and monitoring work of subordinate staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Essential and other important responsibilities and functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manage, operate, install, inspect, troubleshoot, and maintain irrigation systems and related equipment including software applications, radio networks, booster pumps, valves, controllers, and centralized irrigation control systems.
• Develop, implement, and adjust irrigation schedules based on site conditions, soil characteristics, plant requirements, water availability, weather conditions and applicable water-use regulations.
• Monitor water consumption and identify opportunities to improve irrigation efficiency, conserve water, and reduce operational costs.
• Maintain accurate records of irrigation schedules, site inspections, water usage, maintenance activities, equipment repairs, and system performance.
• Monitor weather forecasts and environmental conditions and adjust irrigation programs as necessary to optimize water use and support plant health.
• Conduct regular inspections of irrigation systems and coordinate repairs, including troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and system improvements.
• Manage and schedule annual back‑flow prevention device testing, and repairs for 600 devices to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Administer contracts for landscape and irrigation maintenance services and oversee the performance of contractors and other personnel involved in landscape maintenance operations.
• Inspect work performed by contractors and ensure compliance with contractual terms, specifications, schedules, safety requirements, and applicable standards.
• Supervise, train, provide lead directions to, and evaluate contract irrigation staff and City employees, as assigned.
• Coordinate irrigation projects, including system upgrades, installations, repairs, renovations, and modifications.
• Perform and evaluate soil analyses to assess soil fertility and condition to determine appropriate treatments to promote plant and tree health, growth, and vitality.
• Evaluate irrigation system performance and recommend improvements, upgrades, equipment replacements, and emerging technologies.
• Respond to irrigation emergencies, water leaks, equipment failures, system malfunctions, and other operational issues; coordinate corrective actions as needed.
• Manage irrigation‑related budgets, supplies, equipment, materials, contractors, and service providers.
• Assist with the procurement of commodities, contract services and process purchase requisitions and related documentation.
• Prepare operational and management reports and assist with the preparation, administration, and monitoring of operating budgets.
• Promote safe work practices and ensure employees and contractors properly use tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment.
• Ensure irrigation and landscape maintenance practices comply with applicable local, state, and federal environmental regulations, water‑use requirements, and safety standards.
• Promote sustainable landscape management practices, including water conservation, and green space biodiversity.
• Perform and review USAS Dig Alert Utility Markings.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of and Ability to:

• At least four years progressively responsible experience in irrigation management, preferably involving smart weather based centralized irrigation control systems.
• Previous supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Knowledge of ET-based irrigation, soil moisture management, weather stations, and water conservation practices.
• Strong knowledge of irrigation systems, backflow prevention devices, booster pumps, valves, controllers, sprinklers, point source irrigation and water‑management practices.
• Ability to read irrigation plans, system layouts, and basic technical documents.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.
• Good organizational, communication, and leadership abilities.
• Practices and techniques relate to skilled maintenance in area of assignment.
• Plan, schedule, supervise, and review work performed by other staff; provide training to staff, including explaining jobs and assignments to others.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including co‑workers, City employees from other divisions or departments, and members of the public.
• Demonstrate principles of good customer service.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

Equivalent to a high school diploma or G.E.D.

Experience:

Four years of increasingly responsible experience in performing skilled work in a specialized trade with an agency, company, or organization

Licenses/Certifications/Other Requirements:

• Irrigation Association Certified Irrigation Technician (CIT) required at time of appointment.
• Irrigation Association Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA) - Ability to obtain within 1 year of appointment.
• Irrigation Association Certified Irrigation Designer (CID) - preferred, not required
• Certified Irrigation Manager (CIM) - preferred, not required

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands:

Mobility: frequent use of a keyboard; frequent and intermittent sitting for long periods of time; climbing, bending twisting, and squatting when installing equipment.

Lifting:

Lifting: frequently lifting, carrying and pushing tools, equipment, and supplies weighing 10 to 50 pounds or more.

Vision:

Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.

Dexterity:

Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.

Working Environment:

Incumbents in this class work within indoor and outdoor environments. When assigned to work outdoors, incumbents are exposed to all weather conditions including wet, hot and cold. Incumbents may be exposed to slippery surfaces. Incumbents may use chemicals, which may involve exposure to fumes. Incumbents are exposed to gas fumes, exhaust, dirt, dust, and other contaminants. Incumbents may be required to wear personal protective equipment during the course of performing work.

The nature of the work also requires the incumbent to climb ladders, use power and noise producing tools and equipment, drive motorized vehicles and heavy equipment, and work in heavy vehicle traffic conditions.

Incumbents must be available for on-call and stand‑by duty and respond to after-hours emergencies.