Irrigation Specialist - Agricultural Systems

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Advanced irrigation technologies

Health and retirement benefits

Professional development

Water-conscious agriculture focus

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an Irrigation Specialist to join our client’s agricultural team in Mpumalanga. The role focuses on designing, implementing, and maintaining irrigation systems to optimize water use and crop health in the Nelspruit region.

You will collaborate with farm managers and agronomists to assess irrigation needs, select technologies, troubleshoot issues, and contribute to sustainable water management across diverse farming operations.

Qualifications

• A degree or technical qualification in Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Water Resource Management, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in design, installation, and maintenance of agricultural irrigation systems.
• Strong understanding of hydraulics, water flow dynamics, and soil-water-plant relationships.
• Proficiency with irrigation scheduling software and water management technologies.
• Experience with drip, pivot, and overhead irrigation methods.
• Willing to travel within the Mpumalanga region.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop efficient irrigation systems tailored to crop and soil conditions.
• Install, operate, and maintain irrigation equipment (drip, sprinkler, center pivot).
• Monitor water usage and soil moisture levels and adjust irrigation schedules.
• Troubleshoot and repair irrigation systems to minimize downtime and water waste.
• Conduct site assessments and provide recommendations for improving irrigation efficiency and water conservation.
• Train farm staff on operation and maintenance of irrigation equipment.

Skills

Hydraulics

Water management

Soil-water-plant relationships

Irrigation scheduling software

Water management technologies

Education

Agricultural Engineering / Agronomy / Water Resource Management

Tools

Irrigation scheduling software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a skilled Irrigation Specialist to join their team, contributing to efficient water management for agricultural operations in and around Nelspruit. This role will involve designing, implementing, and maintaining irrigation systems to optimize water use, ensuring healthy crop growth while conserving a vital resource. You will work closely with farm managers and agronomists to assess irrigation needs, select appropriate technologies, and troubleshoot system issues. The position requires a strong technical background in hydraulics, water management, and agricultural drainage systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop efficient irrigation systems tailored to specific crop and soil conditions.
• Install, operate, and maintain various types of irrigation equipment, including drip, sprinkler, and center pivot systems.
• Monitor water usage and soil moisture levels, making adjustments to optimize irrigation schedules.
• Troubleshoot and repair malfunctioning irrigation systems to minimize downtime and water waste.
• Conduct site assessments and provide recommendations for improving irrigation efficiency and water conservation.
• Train farm staff on the proper operation and maintenance of irrigation equipment.

Requirements

• A degree or technical qualification in Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Water Resource Management, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in the design, installation, and maintenance of agricultural irrigation systems.
• Strong understanding of hydraulics, water flow dynamics, and soil-water-plant relationships.
• Proficiency with irrigation scheduling software and water management technologies.
• Experience with different irrigation methods such as drip, pivot, and overhead systems.
• Ability to work effectively both in the field and in an office setting, with some travel within the Mpumalanga region.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package.
• Opportunity to work with advanced irrigation technologies.
• Comprehensive health and retirement benefits.
• Professional development and training opportunities in water management.
• A role focused on a critical aspect of sustainable agriculture in a water-conscious region.