Irrigation Specialist

Salary : $63,175.42 - $76,691.68 Annually
Location : Pasadena City Yards, CA
Job Type: 2025 - REGULAR FULLTIME 40+ HRS A WK
Job Number: 27-001
Department: Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Division: Parks
Opening Date: 07/08/2026
Closing Date: 7/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

The Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Department is currently seeking a proactive, energetic and dependable Irrigation Specialist who will perform a variety of skilled, journey-level tasks involved in the installation, maintenance and repair of manual, automatic and computerized irrigations systems. The Irrigation Specialist performs skilled, journey-level inspection, diagnosis, repair and maintenance of the City's irrigation system and ensures the efficient use of water throughout the City's parks and landscaped areas.
The ideal candidate will have experience in irrigation systems with inspection, diagnosis, repair and maintenance of manual, automatic and computerized irrigations systems. The successful candidate will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, leadership and initiative, possess effective problem-solving skills, safety consciousness, boundless energy, as well as a strong work ethic.

Essential Functions
The major responsibilities of this position are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the

• Installs, modifies, maintains, upgrades and repairs manual, semi-automatic and automatic irrigation systems, including pipes, valves, automatic control devices and sprinkler heads.
• Installs, repairs and maintains drinking fountains and water play equipment.
• Cuts, threads, solvent welds/solders, installs and repairs PVC, copper and galvanized pipe used in irrigation systems; taps and retaps galvanized pipes and fittings.
• Inputs, cleans and adjusts sprinkler controls for correct time and duration of operation; repairs or replaces clock motors and micro-switches in automatic timing devices; coordinates water timing for special events and groups utilizing fields.
• Locates main lines, sprinkler lines, valves and electrical wires; performs preventive maintenance on irrigation systems; designs, plots and lays out new irrigation system instillations, working from blueprints and plat plans.
• Installs and repairs backflow prevention devices and vacuum breakers; constructs and pours concrete for associated forms.
• Operates a variety of medium-weight power-driven equipment including loaders, back hoes, trenchers, tractors and power mowers.
• Participates in water conservation efforts through proper and efficient irrigation methods, equipment use and drought-resistant plant selection; performs irrigation audits.
• Performs a full range of landscaping and turf maintenance duties; waters, mows, aerates and fertilizes; maintains flower beds, plants, landscape areas, trees, and controls weeds; trim and prune bushes, trees, shrubs to provide clearance of sidewalks and signs.
• Oversees and inspects contractors performing work in City landscaped areas; identify areas of correction and works with contractors or City inspectors to remedy.
• Maintains blue prints and plot plans; maintains routine records of work orders and equipment repairs; orders and maintains an inventory of parts, supplies and materials.
• Performs other duties in relation to general park maintenance.

COMPETENCIES
The following list represents the core competencies needed for success in this position.

• Attention to Detail focuses on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products.
• Decision Making chooses optimal courses of action in a timely manner.
• Managing Performance ensures superior individual and group performance.
• Mechanical Insight comprehends how mechanical, electrical, and structural systems operate and interact.
• Professional and Technical Expertise applies technical subject matter to the job.

Qualification Guidelines
Minimum qualifications:

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
• Two years of journey-level experience in the maintenance and repair of irrigation systems.

Desired qualifications:
• Possession of an Irrigation Technician certificate is highly desirable.

SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process may consist of a combination of training and experience evaluation, Subject Matter Expert (SME) review, written exam, performance exam, interview panel, and/or department-level interviews.

VACANCY INFORMATION
There is currently one vacancy in the Parks Division of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department.

The resulting eligibility list from this recruitment may be used to fill this vacancy and similar vacancies in the future.


Candidates selected for this position are subject to a one-year probationary work period.

Special Requirements
A valid California Class C driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's vehicle insurance program as condition of employment.
Retirement:

The City of Pasadena contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) to offer a defined benefits program for eligible employees.
"New" CalPERS members are subject to the provisions of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and receive the following benefit formula: 2% at 62


"Classic" members of CalPERS receive the following benefit formula: 2.5% at 55


Deferred Compensation:

The City offers a 457(b) deferred compensation plan to help employees save for their retirement and supplement their CalPERS pension. Employees can defer salary with pre-tax or Roth after-tax deductions.


Health Insurance:

The City contracts with CalPERS to offer several comprehensive health plans that include Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO).


Other Benefits include:

• Dental Insurance (HMO and PPO plans offered)
• Paid leave (holidays, sick leave, vacation leave)
• City-paid Life and Short-Tem Disability insurance
• Voluntary vision, life, accident, critical illness and long- term disability insurance
• Medical & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Free Employee Assistance Program

01


To further assist us with reviewing your qualifications, please answer the following questions. Please complete all sections of this form truthfully and completely. Your responses will be validated if you are considered one of the most qualified applicants. Although resumes will be accepted and evaluated, this form must be completed if the application is to be considered valid. "See resume" is not an acceptable or valid response. Your responses should be clearly described in your application work history experience. Please select yes to reflect that you have read and understand this statement.

• Yes
• No

02


What best describes your journey-level years of full-time experience in the maintenance and repair of irrigation systems?

• No experience willing to learn.
• Less than 2 years of full-time experience.
• 2-4 years of full-time experience.
• 4 or more years of full-time experience.

03


In 200 words or less, describe your full-time experience in maintaining, repairing, and installing irrigation systems. Your response should include the type of manual, automatic and computerized irrigation systems you have experience with and clearly stated on your application work history for verification. If no experience, enter "N/A".
04


Do you possess a California Class C driver's license?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you possess an Irrigation Technician certificate? If "yes", please attach a copy of your certificate to your application or note the governing board that issued the certificate under the certificates and licenses section of your online application.

• Yes
• No

Required Question