Landscape Technician - Irrigation

Landscape Technician - Irrigation
Whitman College

WHITMAN COLLEGE

Located in the historic community of Walla Walla, Whitman's vibrant and beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, welcoming and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving approximately 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college's working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO) .

Facilities Services (FS), the division that provides college-wide support of equitable student success. As stewards of Whitman College's built and natural environment our services range from planning, design, construction projects, and agency interaction to maintenance, custodial, surplus, grounds and landscaping, trust - rental property maintenance, sustainability, recycling, conferences, scheduling, environmental management, occupational safety, and utility/energy efficiency. Serving 1,500 students, with 1.3 million gross square feet comprising of 54 facilities, 80 rental units and 112 acres of grounds, we service two campuses - Main and Johnston Wilderness, as well as two observatory locations.

Facilities Services includes several key departments: Administration, Conference, Events and Scheduling, Custodial, Energy Management, Environmental Health and Safety, Grounds, Maintenance, Planning, Design, and Construction, Rental Property Maintenance and Sustainability. The FS team includes more than 70 talented and engaged individuals who are dedicated to providing the most effective, safe, and customer-oriented service to the College community maintaining an educational environment in support of recruitment, retention, and Whitman's strategic priorities. Our staff includes a culturally diverse team of technical professionals, administrative support, skilled trades, management, and students that ensures the best learning environment on one of the most beautifully-built and operated nationally ranked liberal arts colleges.

POSITION PURPOSE

Perform advanced-level work in the maintenance and care of Whitman College landscapes. Make repairs to associated landscape irrigation systems and operate all landscape and grounds equipment as required. Emphasis is placed on preventive maintenance to prevent major failures and nuisance problems when equipment is needed most. This position will also be assigned landscape/grounds duties, and also in support of other Grounds team members as needed. This technician regularly consults with the Grounds Supervisor on all matters involving the operation and maintenance of related irrigation equipment and scheduling. Evening and weekend work may be required on occasion.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Inspect, troubleshoot, maintain, repair, and adjust all irrigation systems including lines and heads. Irrigation valve adjustment.
• Install and troubleshoot irrigation controllers.
• Input and track irrigation systems using a central control software
• Perform irrigation field inspections
• Responsible for programing, operation, and maintenance of irrigation system.
• Troubleshoot wire faults using wire locater, multi meter and wire fault
• Design and install sprinkler systems.
• Prune all plant material, as needed, following current industry standards.
• Perform weed, insect, and disease control using chemical, cultural, mechanical, or biological means as necessary.
• Mow, edge, aerate, renovate, overseed, fertilize, top dress, and maintain turf areas.
• Work with students and assist in the guidance of their duties.
• Pick up trash, garbage and recycle material as directed.
• Report damages and maintenance repairs.
• Utilize Facility Services work order system correctly and regularly, as well as computers (e.g. email, creating reports).
• Work within the safety regulations for federal, state, and Whitman College. Actively participate in the accident prevention program, including attending safety program.
• Observe safety precautions and procedures at all times, being alert for unsafe conditions and reports them to supervisor.
• Must be able to respond to campus emergencies throughout the year.

Seasonal fluctuation will periodically require the following duties:

• Prepare soil for seeding, sodding, planting and transplanting of plant materials.
• Seed, mow, irrigate, fertilize, and maintain landscape areas as directed.
• Rake leaves; pull, hoe, cut or remove weeds as directed.
• Remove debris, snow, and ice from steps, walks and ramps, and parking lots.
• Plant seeds, flowers, bulbs, shrubs, trees, and transplant as directed.
• Assist mechanic with the Whitman College Motor Pool duties as directed.
• Communicate effectively with all staff, faculty, community members and students.
• Be adaptive to perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Individuals must be able to explain and demonstrate that they possess the knowledge, skills and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job described with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Demonstrated experience in irrigation computer program control, installation, troubleshooting, and repair.
• Ability to perform physical labor in all types of weather.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to positively and actively contribute to the college's core values of diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Possess good judgment, an eye for detail, and a desire to achieve perfection for maximum landscape maintenance.
  
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School graduation, two (2) years' experience in irrigation and a position related to landscaping, park, golf course, arborist etc.
• Knowledge of irrigation principles, tools and related equipment is necessary.
• Irrigation skills, knowledge, common sense and the ability to use each in making decisions
• Possesses advanced skills and certification in irrigation - completion of 2-year irrigation course
• May substitute one-year industry experience with either residential, repair, and installation of irrigation systems
• Must possess a Washington valid driver's license, pass background check and employment physical.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Trade school training
• Past experience in standard irrigation practices and procedures in an organization with extended hours of operation and multiple high-traffic grounds/landscape areas such as, higher education, K-12 schools, healthcare

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIRMENTS

Work environment is primarily outdoors, which may include working in high places. This position may be exposed to dirt, dust and equipment solutions. Work may require periodic use of personal protective equipment (e.g. respirators, fall protection). Physical skill and sustained physical effort may be required for some of the ground's responsibilities. Job requires moderate strength and agility and typically requires balancing, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping and repetitive motions. Lifting and carrying materials weighing up to 50 pounds occurs with varied frequency.

BENEFITS

Whitman offers competitive employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision and life insurances, a generous 10% matching contribution to the Whitman College 403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan, and paid time off including 13 paid holidays for full-time staff vacation and sick leave. Learn more about benefits eligibility here.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

At Whitman College, we take seriously the safety of our community. Whitman is a fully vaccinated campus, requiring all employees and students to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations or have an approved exemption. More information can be found here.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR JOB CANDIDATES

Contact Human Resources regarding requests for disability accommodation in the employment application process.

APPLICATION REVIEW

Application review will begin on April 1 and continue until the position is filled.

START DATE

April 21, 2022


For full application instructions and position description, visit https://whitman.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=171


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