Irrigation Specialist I at Rice University in Houston, Texas

Job Description:

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. We suggest the documents be in a PDF format to avoid formatting issues.

Position Summary

Rice Grounds' team of thirty-plus professionals maintains our 300-acre tree-lined campus while creating 1st impressions. We support the university's mission of teaching and research through our effective and innovative stewardship of the campus landscape. The irrigation specialist performs installation, maintenance, and repair of manual, automatic, and computerized irrigation systems and related components, completes inspections and audits, and provides essential support to our zone maintenance groundskeepers and other broadcast maintenance specialists.

The ideal candidate understands that success in this role requires a commitment to teamwork, constant improvement, and dedication to first-class customer service "with no upper limit."

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the salary starts at $18.00 an hour.

Minimum Requirements

• 
  2+ years of related experience with irrigation system installation, operation, maintenance, and repairs
  
  
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted
  
  
• Valid Texas Driver's License (or ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment) required with no more than three moving violations or at-fault accidents within the past 36 months and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the last five years
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) irrigation license required or the ability to obtain the license in 12 months
• Skills
  
  
  • Knowledge of irrigation systems
  • Dependability
  • Ability to follow instructions
  • Good knowledge of ground maintenance
  • Knowledge of proper equipment use and maintenance
  
  

• HS Diploma or equivalent
• Five years of on-the-job experience with irrigation installation, operation, and maintenance
• Experience programming "smart" controllers
• TCEQ irrigation technician
• TCEQ landscape irrigator
• Knowledge of irrigation design
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

• Assists with sprinkler system installation
• Repairs and replaces pumps, main feeder and lateral lines, PVC pipes, sprinkler heads, radio-controlled valves and controls, and electronically controlled water sensors
• Replaces low-voltage wiring
• Sets and updates watering schedule for sprinkler system; completes sprinkler system preventative maintenance program
• Monitors grounds during special events to ensure the protection of the system; reports grounds condition and water or plant losses due to system malfunction
• Operates snow removal equipment
• Supports water conservation efforts
• Keeps abreast of current trends in irrigation systems by reviewing publications and attending lectures and conferences
• Performs all other duties assigned

• Adapts to changes in seasonal workload by filling in with other Grounds personnel as assigned by the supervisor
• Modifies existing irrigation to improve coverage or allow for construction activities
• Rapidly responds to address emergency leaks or malfunctions
• Repairs broken irrigation components such as pipes, heads, nozzles, valves, etc.
• Troubleshoots and repairs electrical components
• Monitors and programs irrigation controllers for proper and efficient operation
• Performs preventative maintenance to correct performance including elevation adjustments of heads, valves, and valve boxes

• Must be able to lift loads no greater than 50 lbs. Must be able to climb stairs, ladders, and scaffolding, and work around confined areas with piping and wiring obstructions, as needed, to access equipment. Requires moderate to heavy physical activity, including bending, stooping, climbing, balancing, standing, and walking up to eight hours per day. Occasionally required to enter utility tunnels and confined spaces.

• Working in an outdoor environment, often under harsh conditions including temperature extremes and/or inclement weather, is required
• Some overtime or flexibility in scheduling is necessary to meet deadlines
• This position is considered essential personnel in times of emergency.

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

About Us

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.