Irrigation Technician

Location: Sarasota, FL | Full-time regular position within The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, a department of Florida State University.

Responsibilities

• Monitors, adjusts, and repairs irrigation systems throughout campus for optimal performance; reports issues and recommends corrective measures.
• Performs preventive maintenance on irrigation systems, including diagnosing and troubleshooting leaks, electrical faults, and pump malfunctions.
• Identifies and resolves problems with irrigation controls, wiring, piping, and sprinkler heads; repairs, overhauls, and replaces defective parts.
• Establishes and monitors irrigation schedules to meet landscaping needs while prioritizing water conservation using variable frequency drives (VFDs).
• Maintains tools and equipment in clean, proper working order; operates power tools, hand tools, trenching equipment, and central irrigation systems.
• Conducts regular inspections to ensure system efficiency and compliance with local water regulations.
• Completes work orders and submits paperwork in a timely manner; maintains accurate records of irrigation schedules, repairs, water usage, and inventory.
• Orders parts and supplies for irrigation system maintenance and repairs; prepares water usage/consumption reports.
• Collaborates with the groundskeeping team to support plant health, landscape aesthetics, and grounds maintenance; trains grounds employees in irrigation system repair and modification.
• Maintains trees, plants, shrubs, flowers, and grass through pruning, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, and pest/weed control.
• Operates landscaping equipment such as string trimmers, hedge trimmers, mowers, edgers, sod cutters, and chainsaws.
• Designs and installs manual and automatic irrigation systems (battery-operated, hydraulic, electrical); performs trenching, backfilling, and excavation activities.
• Provides information about plants to visitors and responds to questions; drives motorized vehicles to traverse campus.
• Performs other duties supporting museum operations, including grounds work or general assistance for the Facilities department.

Requirements

• High school diploma and two years of relevant experience; a technical or vocational degree may substitute for experience.
• Ability to meet physical requirements, including lifting 50 pounds, walking long distances, and working in extreme weather conditions.
• Valid Florida driver’s license or ability to obtain one prior to hire.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Pump repairs and maintenance, including hands-on experience with variable frequency drives (VFDs) and irrigation system troubleshooting.
• Skilled trades such as carpentry, painting, plumbing, electrical, or HVAC.
• Landscaping and groundskeeping techniques.

Ability to:

• Perform groundskeeping work, including transplanting, cultivating, pruning, and trimming plants, shrubs, and trees.
• Safely operate machinery, tools, equipment, and motorized vehicles (e.g., dump trucks, tractors, forklifts, front-end loaders, golf carts).
• Identify safety hazards and establish a safe work environment.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with minimal to moderate supervision.
• Follow written and oral instructions; prioritize, organize, and perform multiple work assignments simultaneously.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, maintain, and repair equipment and machinery.

Pay

Starting salary of $40,000 or higher, with final offer based on education, skills, and experience.

Schedule

• Primary working hours: 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM, Monday – Friday (with a 30-minute meal period).
• May require flexible scheduling, including nights, weekends, and special events based on museum needs.
• Eligible for on-call pay; incumbent must be accessible and available to return to work during off-duty hours as scheduled.
• Designated as an essential role; may be required to work before, during, or after emergency museum closures.

Benefits

FSU offers a robust Total Rewards package, including compensation, benefits, wellness programs, recognition, and employee development. Visit the FSU Total Rewards website to explore options and calculate total compensation.