IRRIGATION DEPARTMENT MANAGER

Job Description

Job Description

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Apex Outdoor Inc. is a full-service property maintenance and landscape contractor headquartered in Shakopee, Minnesota. With more than 30 years of industry experience, we provide professional outdoor property services throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.

Our services include Grounds Maintenance, Landscaping and Hardscapes, Irrigation, Lawn Applications, Snow & Ice Management, and additional exterior property services for commercial properties, HOAs, apartment communities, and residential customers.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Apex Outdoor is seeking an experienced, motivated, and dependable Irrigation Department Manager to lead and grow our Irrigation Department.

This is a hands-on management position, with approximately 70% of the role working in the field alongside irrigation technicians and crews. The successful candidate must have extensive knowledge of irrigation system installation, troubleshooting, repair, maintenance, programming, and seasonal service.

In addition to field responsibilities, the Irrigation Department Manager will be responsible for managing crews, scheduling work, monitoring job performance and budgets, reviewing work tickets, managing inventory and materials, communicating with customers, and helping ensure the department operates safely, efficiently, and profitably.

This position will also play an important role in the growth of the Irrigation Department. The Manager will be expected to identify additional service opportunities, recommend system improvements and upgrades, build strong customer relationships, and help grow department revenue.

We are looking for someone who is comfortable leading from the front - someone who can diagnose a difficult irrigation problem, train employees, organize daily workflow, communicate professionally with customers, and keep projects moving.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Lead and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Irrigation Department.

· Schedule irrigation service calls, installations, inspections, start-ups, and winterizations.

· Lead, train, develop, and support irrigation technicians and field crews.

· Work alongside crews in the field as needed.

· Troubleshoot, diagnose, repair, install, and maintain residential, HOA, multi-family, and commercial irrigation systems.

· Perform spring irrigation system start-ups and fall blow- outs/winterizations.

· Complete monthly and seasonal irrigation system inspections.

· Program, install, troubleshoot, and replace a variety of irrigation controllers.

· Diagnose electrical and wiring problems using wire tracers, valve locators, multimeters, and other diagnostic equipment.

· Locate and repair underground piping, valves, wiring, sprinkler heads, and related components.

· Troubleshoot and repair valves, backflow preventers, RPZ assemblies, piping, fittings, sprinkler heads, and other irrigation components.

· Review irrigation systems for proper coverage, water efficiency, and overall system performance.

· Manage daily crew workflow and ensure work is completed safely and efficiently.

· Monitor labor hours, material usage, and job budgets.

· Review, complete, and approve work orders and service documentation.

· Maintain appropriate inventory levels for irrigation parts, materials, tools, and supplies.

· Coordinate purchasing and material needs for upcoming projects and service work.

· Communicate professionally with property managers, homeowners, customers, and internal team members.

· Explain irrigation system conditions, recommended repairs, upgrades, and ongoing maintenance needs to customers.

· Identify opportunities for irrigation repairs, upgrades, system improvements, water-saving solutions, and additional services.

· Help develop existing customer relationships and generate additional irrigation work.

· Assist with developing strategies to increase Irrigation Department revenue and profitability.

· Track department performance and help achieve established revenue and operational goals.

· Ensure company vehicles, trailers, equipment, and tools assigned to the department are properly maintained and organized.

· Promote and enforce company safety procedures and expectations.

· Assist with other company operations as needed throughout the year.

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

· Extensive hands-on experience with residential and commercial irrigation systems.

· Strong knowledge of irrigation installation, service, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance.

· Experience programming and installing multiple brands and models of irrigation controllers.

· Strong understanding of valves, solenoids, wiring, piping, sprinkler heads, backflow preventers, and RPZ assemblies.

· Ability to use wire tracers, valve locators, and diagnostic tools to troubleshoot irrigation problems.

· Ability to locate, excavate, repair, and replace damaged underground irrigation piping and wiring.

· Previous leadership, crew leader, supervisor, or management experience strongly preferred.

· Ability to schedule and prioritize multiple service calls, projects, and crews.

· Ability to manage labor hours, job budgets, inventory, materials, and department workflow.

· Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

· Ability to accurately complete work orders, service reports, and other required documentation.

· Strong customer-service and communication skills.

· Ability to recognize additional service and revenue opportunities while maintaining the customer's best interests.

· Ability to work independently while also leading and supporting a team.

· Positive attitude, dependable work ethic, and commitment to workplace safety.

· Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record and no major driving violations or DWIs within the previous three years.

· Ability to safely operate company trucks and landscape/irrigation trailers.

· Snow plowing and snow removal experience is preferred but not required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This is an active, hands-on field management position. Candidates must be able to:

· Lift and carry up to 75 pounds.

· Dig, trench, backfill, and compact soil.

· Work in kneeling, crouching, bending, standing, and walking positions throughout the workday.

· Walk and work safely on uneven terrain.

· Operate trucks, trailers, tools, and equipment.

· Work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.

· Perform physical irrigation installation and repair work for extended periods of time.

COMPENSATION & POSITION DETAILS

Compensation: Generally $35-$45 per hour, depending on irrigation experience, leadership experience, qualifications, and overall ability.

A salary compensation option may also be available for the right candidate.

REVENUE GROWTH BONUS In addition to base compensation, the Irrigation Department Manager will be eligible for a performance bonus tied to the growth of the Irrigation Department. The bonus will reward the Manager for helping generate year-over-year department revenue growth through strong customer relationships, additional service work, system upgrades, irrigation improvements, new opportunities, and

effective management of the department. The goal is to give the Irrigation Department Manager the opportunity to financially benefit from helping build and grow the department, rather than simply managing the day-to-day workload.

This is a full-time, year-round position with an established company and an opportunity for the right individual to take ownership of and help grow our Irrigation Department.

We are looking for an experienced irrigation professional who wants more than just another technician position. If you have the technical knowledge, leadership ability, and entrepreneurial mindset to run and grow a department while remaining involved in the field, we would like to hear from you.

Company Description

We are a growing, performance-driven Landscape Company specializing in commercial properties, HOAs, and multi-family communities. We are based in Savage and perform work all around the Metro.

Company Description

We are a growing, performance-driven Landscape Company specializing in commercial properties, HOAs, and multi-family communities. We are based in Savage and perform work all around the Metro.