Athletic Field Irrigation Technician (14891, Grade L05)



Athletic Field Irrigation Technician (14891, Grade L05)

Salary

$37,438.00 - $66,306.00 Annually

Location

Bethesda, MD

Job Type

Career

Job Number

14891

Department

REGION SOUTH - CABIN JOHN MAINTENANCE

Opening Date

08/08/2019

Closing Date

8/23/2019 11:59 PM Eastern

Description

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a six-time National Recreation and Parks Association Gold Medal Award Winner, is seeking an Athletic Field Irrigation Technician to work within Montgomery County Department of Parks, Southern Parks Division.  The department serves a diverse population of over one million residents in Montgomery County, Maryland, and manages 421 parks on more than 37,000 acres of parkland.  Park facilities and amenities include 457 miles of streams, 303 tennis courts, 298 athletic fields, 291 playgrounds, 207 basketball courts, 225 miles of paved and natural surface trails, 128 picnic areas, 160 historic sites/structures, 104 campsites, and 29 park activity buildings, as well as nature centers, miniature trains, indoor tennis facilities, boat rental facilities, indoor and open air ice rinks, event centers, public gardens, lakes, ponds and more.
The Department has an annual operating budget of over $100 million, a six-year Capital Improvement Program of over $180 million, and a career staff of nearly 800 employees.
The mission of Montgomery County Department of Parks is to:

  • Protect and interpret our valuable natural and cultural resources;
  • Balance the demand for recreation with the need for conservation;
  • Offer a variety of enjoyable recreational activities that encourage healthy lifestyles;
  • Provide clean, safe, and accessible places for leisure-time activities;
  • Be good and get better every day in providing maintenance services to our parks.
For additional information about the Department, visit www.Montgomeryparks.org
 
Southern Parks Division meets both local and regional leisure needs by providing opportunities for a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities in the most densely populated areas of Montgomery County.  Its mission is to provide users with choices of active and passive recreation in parks and facilities that are safe and well-managed; and to apply best practices of stormwater management and stewardship for both developed and undeveloped land, and our build resources located within the natural environment.
 
The division manages over 200 parks, including Urban, Local and Regional Parks.  Included in these parks are almost 200 playgrounds, 150 athletic fields, 60 miles of trails, and 50 picnic shelters.  This division utilizes the skills of almost 200 employees and 100 pieces of equipment to accomplish the Department's mission.  Southern Parks' slogan is to be good and get better every day in providing maintenance services to our parks.
The main task of an Irrigation Technician is to maintain the irrigation equipment assigned in a specific area. This equipment can include irrigation heads, water lines, pumps, suction devices, valves and other irrigation equipment. This equipment can sometimes be buried underground and must be excavated to be maintained, so the technician should be comfortable working with digging equipment such as backhoes, shovels, augers and other equipment.
This position will need technical expertise to inspect irrigation systems, troubleshoot possible issues, develop remediation plans, perform the identified improvements to confirm repairs have been successfully completed. The Irrigation Technician will have an understanding of irrigation principles, such as,  sprinkler type, nozzle type, spacing, swing joint assemblies and installation; understand pump flow and pressure; understand plans, as-builts, and specifications; test for voltage, resistance, and continuity using voltmeter; perform valve installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair; understand and interpret pressure testing and tools.
Under the supervision of the Athletic Field Team Managers, the Irrigation Technician will perform a wide variety of professional park operations and administrative work to assist in the planning and implementation of programs and projects within a geographical area. A geographical area includes diverse park facilities and structures that are found within the park system (e.g. regional, recreational, local, neighborhood, conservation, special and stream valley parks).
 
EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Operates power equipment and hand tools to install, maintain and repair irrigation systems and related components including irrigation lines, irrigation heads, control panels, wiring, valves, pumps, etc.
  • Checks system for proper operation, pressure, and uniformity. Trains staff on programming of controller for operation.
  • Participates in the design or modification of new or existing systems.
  • Performs seasonal maintenance such as system charging and winterization.
  • Maintains inventory of related parts and supplies to include pipe, swing joints, heads, valves, solenoids, wiring, etc.
  • May lead workers on irrigation projects and work on other grounds related assignments as needed.
 
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
  • Knowledge of tools, equipment, techniques, skills, materials, and methods of irrigation system design, installation and maintenance.
  • Knowledge of electrical and hydraulic operation of irrigation systems.
  • Knowledge of irrigation system defects and their proper repair.
  • Assist Athletic Field Team Managers in maintaining and auditing parts inventory.                                                                    
  • Make all irrigation orders with approval.                                                                
  • Maintain daily record of activities and expenses.
  • Perform preventative maintenance and curative maintenance on pump stations. Operate main pumps and pump controllers.
  • Communicate with Park Managers to determine any irrigation system issues, such as leaks or dry areas.
  • Operate and maintain light utility vehicles and powered equipment.
  • Train maintenance employees in irrigation processes.
  • Record changes in irrigation system component routings or locations on the working copy of the system as-built drawings.
  • Ability to read blueprints, schematics and drawings.
  • Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
  • Ability to operate equipment such as trenching machines and digging tools and other related grounds/landscape equipment.
  • Ability to read and write in English and possess good math skills.
  • Ability to lead and direct the work of others.
  • Ability to work in a safe and efficient manner.

A Certified Irrigation Technician Certification or ability to obtain within 1 year is a requirement for the position.
 

Minimum Qualifications

1. High school graduate or GED, and four years of progressively responsible experience in groundskeeping, building maintenance, or park maintenance; and demonstrated ability to read and understand materials and instructions and write routine records and reports; or

2. An equivalent combination of education and experience.

3. Pass Commission medical examination.

4. Valid driver's license.

5. Additionally, contingent upon area of assignment, some positions in this class may require:

a. Commercial Driver's License with appropriate endorsements upon appointment, or the ability to acquire one within six months.

b. Maryland Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator's certification in the categories appropriate to the work assignment.

c. Certification by the National Playground Safety Institute.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Sitting, standing, walking, climbing off and on equipment, squatting/kneeling, reaching, grasping, pushing/pulling, twisting/bending, lifting/carrying up to 50 lbs multiple times per shift, talking, hearing, and seeing.
 
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Position requires most working hours spent in the field. Work conditions may include exposure to dust, vibration, noise (extreme), chemicals, dirt, waste, odors, pesticides, wildlife, potential harmful insects (for example, bees, hornets, wasps, etc.) as well as exposure to adverse weather conditions (heat, cold, snow, rain, etc.).  Risk of bodily injury from mechanical parts, etc. The work will require the use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, gloves, or full personal protection equipment. Work requires constant bending, lifting, and carrying of heavy objects of up to 100 pounds. An essential employee for on-call 24 hours for emergencies.
 
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

  • Must be available to work weekends and evenings as necessary.
  • Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply

 
THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION
 
2021 BENEFIT SUMMARY FOR MERIT SYSTEM EMPLOYEES 
 
The following information is a summary of benefits extended to all Merit System employees of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). All plans are optional except the Defined Benefit and Long-Term Disability plans.

 
Retirement Programs
  • Defined Benefit Plan (Mandatory Participation) – Plans A, B and E exclude FOP members.

Plan Employee Contribution
Plan A: 7% of base salary. Social Security Wage Base (SSWB).
Plan B: 4% of base salary up to maximum Social Security Wage Base (SSWB) and 7% in excess of SSWB.
Plan C: 9% of base salary. (FOP members only)
Plan D: 8% of base salary.  (FOP members only)
Plan E: 4% of base salary up to maximum Social Security Wage Base (SSWB) and 8% in excess of SSWB.
  • Deferred Compensation ICMA-RC 457 plan (Optional)
  • Traditional and Roth IRAs (Optional)
 
Health Insurance Plans (FOP Members Pay 23% for Medical, Prescription and Dental and same as all other employees for Vision.) All other employees pay percentage below. 

Medical -
  • Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) – (15%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Select Exclusive Provider Organization Health Plan (EPO) – (20%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Point of Service (POS) – (20%)
Prescription – CVS Caremark – (15%)
Dental - Delta Dental PPO and DeltaCare USA HMO – (20%)
Vision – EyeMed -  (80% of Low Option plan paid by Commission. Any balance paid by employee.)
  • Low, moderate, and high options are available.  Frequency of covered services differs.
 
Flexible Spending Accounts (Employee Pays 100%)
  • Medical Account – Maximum annual contribution: $2,700
  • Dependent Care Account – Maximum annual contribution: $5,000
 
Long-Term Disability Insurance (Mandatory Participation)
  • Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80% (FOP Members Pay 100%)            
  • Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary, maximum of $6,000/month
 
Supplemental Long-Term Disability Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)
  • Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary that exceeds $108,000; capped at $216,000
 
Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80%)
  • Two (2) times base salary; maximum benefit is $200,000 for each
 
Supplemental and Spouse/Dependent Life Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)
  • Supplemental – 1,2,3,4,or 5 times base salary; maximum benefit is $750,000
  • Spouse/Dependent Combination -  $10,000/$5,000, $20,000/$10,000, or $30,000/$15,000
 
Sick Leave Bank (Eligible After One Year Probationary Period)
  • Employee contributes 4-8 leave hours each year
  • Eligible for up to 76 work-days or 456 hours in 12-month period
Leave Programs
  • Annual: 15 days per year
  • Personal: 3 days per year (12 month waiting period)
  • Sick: 15 days per year
  • Holidays:10 days per year
Other Benefits
  • Credit Union
  • Tuition Assistance Program
  • Employee Assistance Plan
  • Wellness Program
  • Legal Services Plan
  • Work-Life Program
This summary is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor should be construed as an employment agreement with the M-NCPPC, implied or actual. It is not all-inclusive and is subject to change. For a more detailed description of benefits, please contact the Commission's Health and Benefits Office at 301-454-1694.

Agency
The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission
Address
7833 Walker Drive
Suite 425
Greenbelt, Maryland, 20770