Irrigation Technician

Summary: Responsible for the maintenance and repair of the irrigation systems. This involves both repair and new irrigation installation work and requires frequent hand digging and use of trenching and/or mini-backhoe. Assist the Plumber with the management of the yearly backflow inspection of irrigation devices. Assisting fountain and pump maintenance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintains and repairs garden wide irrigation systems which includes performing spring startup and fall winterization and coordinates contracted annual testing of irrigation backflow devices.
• Participates in the planning and construction of new irrigation systems and will monitor contractors perform work.
• Creates and maintains accurate records and drawings showing the location of all buried utilities.
• Inspects area irrigated to ensure adequate soaking and prevent waste of water.
• Provides site protection for garden staff and visitors by barricading and covering all open trenches and holes while making repairs to below ground utilities
• Assist the plumber with installation, repair and servicing of plumbing fixtures, water and sewer pipes, sump pumps, chemical and grease traps and related equipment.
• Assists with fountain maintenance.
• Maintains inventory of frequently used supplies and replacement parts.
• Identifies and initiates immediate corrective actions for any plumbing code or safety violations.
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed: informs employees/students/volunteers of safety guidelines and safe working practices and routinely monitors to enforce them.
• Adapts or modifies work methods to reduce hazards.
• Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.
• May assist HVAC staff with the installation of new piping systems.
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behave & communicate in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and others.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities. However, at times, individual may monitor and direct job duties for contract plumbers working on site and/or other garden staff who may be assigned to assist on large projects or events.

Core Competencies

• Communication - Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations.
• Collaboration -Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences.
• Accountability - Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; Effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues' concerns.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor before taking action as necessary; Recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment in decision making process; Includes appropriate people in making decisions.
• Stewardship - Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety and security protocols; Fosters a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Five (5) years experience installing, repairing, and servicing commercial irrigation piping systems and controls required.
• Knowledge of approved industry standards related to commercial irrigations systems.
• Knowledge of local plumbing codes and general construction methods.
• Knowledge of acceptable safe work practices including wearing the necessary personal protective equipment and proper use of hand tools and equipment including trenches and mini-backhoe.
• Familiarity with commercial and residential plumbing fixtures and methods is a plus.
• Ability to read blue prints and keep accurate records of new or repaired irrigation piping.
• Must be able to set and/or adjust priorities depending on climatic conditions and specific time constants due to building occupancies and scheduled events.
• Self-starter, achieving high productivity with strong attention to detail; ability to work independently with little instruction; coordinate and prioritize multiple tasks, set deadlines, and complete projects in a timely manner is required.
• Demonstrates highest level of professional and ethical conduct.
• Some local travel required- less than 20%.
• Scheduling flexibility that allows working weekends, evenings and holidays as needed.
• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date. The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

Education:

• High school diploma or the equivalent required.
• An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.

Computer Skills:

• Familiarity navigating through various PC applications including, but not restricted to Microsoft Office suite (i.e., Outlook, Word, etc.).
• Ability to use Internet to search for repair parts and to obtain manufactures' literature and required safety data sheets(SDS).

Language Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral and written).
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions and information to effectively execute and achieve results.

Mathematical Skills:

• H.S. basic math and geometry as necessary to order materials and perform new installations.

Reasoning Ability:

• Requires ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and clean, insurable driving record (prior to employment).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid chauffeur's license within (2) months of hire required.

Physical Demands:

• Manual labor - Ability to work outdoors all year round in all weather conditions (i.e., in temperatures over 100F as well as temperatures below 0F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions as needed).
• Requires hand digging for extended periods of time and some work may be performed in trenches or holes which will require shoring.
• Ability to climb ladders, scaffolding, walk boards and walkways and work at varying heights, including on roofs and to operate a wide variety of personal lift equipment.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment, including SCBA and/or respirators; fall restraint harness; required to operate various pieces of equipment including fork fort lift, mini excavator and trencher, sewer machine and various hand tools.
• Will be required to work with chemicals including greases, oils, refrigerants, etc.
• Must be able to work around, under, and in large pieces of equipment which may be hot and/or moving parts.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 60 lbs; stand for extended periods of time and work with arms above your head and off ladders at varying heights.
• Requires standing, walking, bending, stooping and reaching for extended periods of time-- 90% or more of the workday is standing on feet.
• Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing).

Work Environment:

• Work may be performed in the maintenance shop, on roofs, or outdoors in all weather conditions.
• May be wet for extended periods and occasionally work in or with wet conditions that may contain sewage.
• Some tasks may be performed in confined spaces and in or around general construction conditions or in finished office space.
• Comfortable working in immediate proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions regarding the Garden and its operations.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden:

• Members of the Maintenance Department.
• Garden staff, especially horticulturist, and visitors in areas where work is being performed.
• Architects and/or engineers during major renovations and new construction.
• Outside contractors and vendors to obtain supplies and services.

Supervisor (title not person): Senior Manager, Maintenance Operations