2025-26 Irrigation Specialist (Internal Only) - Facilities

Employment Begins: 2025-26 School Year

8.0 hours/day; 5 days/week; 260 days/year

IRRIGATION SPECIALIST

STANDARD POSITION DESCRIPTION

Classification: Grounds and Irrigation Maintenance Location: Maintenance

Reports to: Director of Facilities Maintenance & Grounds FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit: International Union of Operating Engineers

This is a standard position description to be used for positions with similar duties responsibilities classification and compensation. Employees assigned to the position description may or may not perform all of the essential functions indicated in this position description.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

The District represents a diverse community with a population of approximately 40% students with diverse backgrounds. We seek an individual who has successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities. The selected candidate must demonstrate a commitment to strengthening community engagement and communication with the Districts diverse populations.

Part I: Position Summary:

Serves as an irrigation maintenance specialist responsible for installation inspection repair and maintenance of irrigation systems. Responsible for using a variety of tools equipment and treatments to maintain grounds including planting cultivating spraying pruning and cutting plants trees shrubs grass and flowers. Responsible for determining the care and treatment necessary to maintain grounds in good condition.

Part II: Supervision and Controls over the Work:

Work is performed under the supervision of the supervisor for facilities maintenance and the Grounds Lead who assigns work and responsibilities and sets priorities. Employee is expected to independently perform assigned work only seeking the assistance of the supervisor in unusual or difficult situations. Employee plans and performs assigned work with minimum disruption of the education learning environment.

Part III: Major Duties and Responsibilities (depending on specific assignment duties and responsibilities listed may include but are not limited to the following):

• Installs inspects upgrades and maintains irrigation systems.
• Sets programs and adjusts computerized hydraulic and electronic components to accomplish a planned irrigation schedule.
• Cleans adjusts and repairs irrigation heads plastic and copper pipes and devices.
• Reviews blueprints and plans prior to installing and repairing irrigation systems.
• Plans for irrigation installation and repair including determination of parts and materials and taking action to assure parts and materials are available when needed.
• Excavates and refills trenches and drainage areas to install and repair irrigation systems.
• Coordinates with grounds staff to assure appropriate sequencing and scheduling.
• Maintains and repairs irrigation installation and repair equipment.
• Performs standard groundskeeper functions such as (but not limited to)

1. Mowing pruning application of pesticide weed control products
2. Removing trash damaged plants grass leaves and branches
3. Spraying lawns plants shrubs and tress with fertilizer herbicides and pesticides
4. Maintain paths and walkways athletic fields including mowing raking lining leveling and repairing fields.
5. Operate all District mechanized equipment which may include but is not limited to: trucks trailers commercial tractors augers ditcher backhoe mowers forklift trimmer edger rotor-tiller chainsaws paint liners blowers drills tamper wood chipper rollers rental equipment gang mowers lime or fertilizer spreaders snow removal equipment etc.
6. Operate district vehicles and truck/trailer combinations to transport equipment and materials

• Basic Knowledge of control and zone wiring
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Required to follow Board policies and stay abreast of updates and changes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Part IV: Minimum Qualifications:

• Incumbents must have successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities or have otherwise demonstrated a commitment to strengthening engagement of a diverse community and skill in communicating with a diverse population.
• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Minimum of two years of experience in irrigation system maintenance and repair.
• Initiative and ability to work with minimal direction; sound judgement and decision-making capabilities are essential
• 2 years experience performing full time grounds work
• Knowledge of local codes for irrigation systems.
• Ability to utilize power equipment and hand tools appropriate to irrigation and grounds work.
• Must possess a valid Washington State drivers license and a safe driving record and be able and willing to operate district owned vehicles.
• Incumbents must have successful experience and hold valid certification in maintaining inspecting certifying and repairing irrigation backflow devises or be able to obtain certification within 90 days of employment.

Part V: Desired Qualifications:

• Prefer experience with automated irrigation systems.
• Substantive training and/or experience in care and maintenance of plants trees flowers and shrubs.
• Bilingual skills.

Licenses/Special Requirements

• Current first aid card
• Pesticide license

Part VI: Physical and Environmental Requirements of the Position:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to bend sit stoop twist reach talk move about hear and speak. Employee is routinely exposed to outdoor weather conditions.

The employee must occasionally lift carry push and/or otherwise move up to 60 pounds and greater than 60 pounds using appropriate equipment.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision color vision peripheral vision depth perception and the ability to adjust focus and work with close tolerances.

Employee may be exposed to toxic fumes and spills from use of chemicals.

Insurance Benefits

Employees who are anticipated to work 630 hours during the school year (September 1 through August 31) are eligible for medical dental vision long term disability and basic life insurance benefits.

North Thurston Public Schools benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Click on the link information on available benefit options.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

Eligible employees are required to be a member of the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems Plan. . For eligibility information check on the link to theDepartment of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in tax deferred 403(b) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans (DCP). These are supplemental retirement savings programs that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Clink on the linkhttps:// for information on 457 plan (DCP) with the Department of Retirement Systems.

To enroll in an eligible 403(b) plan employees must consult with their own financial planner that is an approved vendor.

THIS IS A UNION POSITION

Equal Opportunity Employer

North Thurston School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex race creed religion color national origin age veteran or military status sexual orientation gender expression or identity disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Officer: ; Section 504 Coordinator at Address for both: 305 College St. NE. Lacey WA 98516.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:Effective June 11 1992 pursuant to Public Law 92544 all new employees must complete a satisfactory fingerprint and sexual misconduct background check. All employment is considered temporary until receipt of a satisfactory check. Proof that the fingerprinting process has begun must be supplied to Human Resources prior to the first day of employment.