Local recruitment: Water Management Specialist

• Salary: $42.32 – $49.32 Hourly
• Location: Seattle, WA
• Job Type: Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time
• Job Number: 2024-00624
• Department: Seattle Parks & Recreation Department
• Division: Parks
• Opening Date: 05/14/2024
• Closing Date: 6/4/2024 4:00 PM Pacific

Position Description

About Seattle Parks and Recreation:
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. Our mission is to equip employees and the public for well-being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community. We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors. Delivering excellent customer service to all is a core value.
 
Equity & Inclusion:
Seattle Parks and Recreation commits to advancing equity and social justice in our department and in every neighborhood by growing a dynamic and diverse workforce, developing strong investments, growth opportunities and beneficial partner strategies as we acknowledge and pledge to close disparities created by historical practices which often hindered workforce development, environmental justice, access to quality open spaces, programs, and facilities. #OneSeattle
 
About the Parks & Environment Division:
Our Parks & Environment Division maintains over 25 miles of boulevards, 465 parks, including 26 community centers, 8 indoor swimming pools, 2 outdoor (summer) swimming pools, 4 environmental education centers, 2 small-craft centers, 4 golf courses, and an outdoor stadium. To support the landscapes at these locations, Parks operates and maintains around 430 irrigation systems.
 
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) uses nearly 260 million gallons of water annually, 76% of this is used for irrigation of park and golf course landscapes. This position supports the Department’s Thriving Environment mission by working to ensure that SPR landscape water management is as efficient and effective as possible. Work will be in-office and in the field. The position provides direct customer service primarily to other SPR staff. It reports to the Water Management Coordinator in the Sustainable Operations Unit in the Facilities Division of the Operations Branch.

Job Responsibilities

• Support ongoing development of SPR’s Water Management Program, focusing on staff needs for citywide irrigation system operations and water management strategies.
• Plan, develop, and present training to a variety of staff involved with irrigation; topics may include best management practices, central control systems, system audits, water shortage planning or other specialized topics. Training is one-on-one and with groups, both in the classroom and the field and may include coordination with external trainers.
• Promote effective use of water resources for landscape health through communication and messaging in daily work. Research new technologies or strategies, write issue papers or develop methods to evaluate them in SPR context. Participate in department and citywide initiatives with water conservation and climate adaptation strategies.
• Provide Maxicom and IQ4 irrigation central control systems detailed technical support to Grounds Maintenance Districts in-person and on-line via Teams, responds to email, Teams chat, phone call requests, conduct site visits to investigate and evaluate technical issues, submit shop work orders, collaborate with Sr. Gardeners for scheduling and configuration tune-ups, collect site data and perform initial site set ups for new or updated Maxicom or IQ4 controlled sites.
• Support operations staff with irrigation operational efficiencies. May include non-central control system troubleshooting, enhanced staff access to irrigation information, such as through the Water Management SharePoint page, Teams Groups, record plans or other needs that come up, connecting staff to coworkers, CIP project coordinators, or other resources needed.
• Plan and implement procedures to evaluate and monitor performance of irrigation operation program elements, such as: data analysis to evaluate and implement optimal use of central control irrigation system efficiency tools; systematic weekly review and reporting on irrigation site contacts; periodic review and reporting of site set ups and performance. Support data collection, analyses, written reporting and oral presentation to diverse audiences.
• Collaborate with Sustainable Operations Administrative Staff Assistant, Grounds Maintenance and Plumbing Shop staff to research sites flagged for high water use, including site plan and work order research, site visits, work order resolution and tracking, documents and reports findings. Support leak-credit requests when applicable.
• Collect and update irrigation system asset information such as valves, sprinkler heads, and controllers in the field using ArcGIS FieldMaps, including linking irrigation plans to site irrigation system assets; may also perform desktop GIS data edits. Support training of field staff on use of FieldMaps.
• Maintain SPR participation in the water-cost-saving SPU Submetering Program by enrolling new sites as required, conducting site visits to inspect equipment and coordinate repairs as needed, including meeting with SPU staff. Maintains documentation of new or updated applications.
• Support planning and development of ongoing training and Operations support related to Green Stormwater Infrastructure installation and maintenance.
• Perform other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

One year of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation or other work directly related to City planning and development work; and a baccalaureate degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration, or related field (or a combination of education, training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).
You will be Successful in this role if you have:

• Knowledge of landscape irrigation best management practices (design, installation, and management) in large or complex public or institutional landscapes.
• Sr. Gardener or Gardener experience, or equivalent, performing horticultural work including irrigation tasks and green stormwater infrastructure system maintenance for 3 or more years.
• Experience as primary Rainbird Maxicom Operator for 2 or more irrigation seasons, or 3 or more irrigation seasons as back-up Maxicom Operator, Rainbird IQ4, or other irrigation central control system.
• Experience developing and delivering training on special topics to diverse groups and individuals.
• Skills in operation and maintenance of irrigation systems, including seasonal assessments, scheduling automatic controllers, troubleshooting, and repair.
• Skills for working independently and in matrix-team environments, coordinating with a variety of teams.
• Ability to prioritize daily and weekly tasks as well as plan and work to achieve longer term goals.
• Experience working with plumbing and electrical trades.
• Experience performing research, data documentation, analysis, and reporting.
• Office/administrative software skills including Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, Webex, SharePoint, OneDrive, PowerPoint, internet browsers, or similar.
• Irrigation system software skills including Rainbird Maxicom, Rainbird IQ4, or other central control system.
• Specialized software skills including BlueBeam, Adobe, ArcGIS products, Remote Desktop Connection, other environmental remote monitoring, etc.
• Certification, education or equivalent experience in irrigation design or troubleshooting.
• Rain Bird Certified Maxicom Operator or Rainbird IQ4 Operator certification.
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and orally.

Additional Information

The full salary range for this position is $42.32 to $49.32 per hour.
 
Application Process
Please submit the following with your online application: 

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement.
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience. 

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle Parks and Recreation values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle Parks and Recreation encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3(Download PDF reader). A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation time, 12 paid holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City’s website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Want to know more about Parks and Recreation? Check out our web page: Seattle Parks and Recreation – Parks | seattle.gov

SPR’s Core Competencies are:

• Accountability & Action: Holding yourself accountable for achieving goals, completing tasks, and delivering quality work. Demonstrating thoughtful initiative in actions and decision-making and promoting high quality standards.
• Equity and Inclusion: Supporting the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative and the City’s commitment to workforce equity.
• Communication: Sharing and exchanging information and ideas with people in a variety of ways to help them understand and remember the information.
• Service: An ongoing commitment to base decisions and actions on the needs and priorities of the City.
• Teamwork: Participating as an engaged member of a team to achieve group goals. Effectively working with internal and external people to complete tasks and achieve work group goals.

Agency: City of Seattle

Address: Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500, Seattle, Washington, 98104

Website: http://www.seattle.gov/jobs