Come Join the City of Bellevue!

Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the “Hiring Process” section below to learn more.

Bellevue is known as “A City in a Park,” with a park system comprised of 2,700 acres of parks and open space and 200 acres of city-maintained arterial landscaping.  Bellevue’s Parks and Community Services Department has an exciting opportunity for a Water Conservation and Irrigation Program Technical Specialist. This position is a member of an interdisciplinary team ensuring the integrity of the city’s street tree and arterial landscape irrigation systems, as well as supporting the developed parks’ irrigation systems. The Water Conservation and Irrigation Program provides ongoing comprehensive management, inventory, and operations of irrigation water resources at 186 sites sustaining 11,000 street trees. Irrigation system assets include 166 irrigation systems comprised of 140 irrigation controllers with 1,200 irrigation zones.  In addition, this position will provide maintenance support on 87 developed park irrigation systems.

You will work with other employees to provide management of roadside landscaped areas and troubleshoot on-site problems. This includes coordinating with other staff to oversee the work of contractors to plan, schedule, coordinate, and oversee projects related to maintenance, repair, and installation of Parks Department irrigation systems.  
At the City of Bellevue, you’ll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and being a part of the community vision. Our people bring unique skills and qualities to the table, embrace the values of honesty, accountability and commitment to service, and take pride in the work they do. You’ll work in an environment where being innovative, collaborative, and future focused are the status quo.

City Council Vision Statement: 
Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past.
Bellevue Parks & Community Services Vision: 
In Bellevue everyone can connect to each other and to nature through experiences that help them to live, grow, and thrive.
Bellevue Parks & Community Services Mission: 
We build a healthy community through an integrated system of exceptional parks, natural areas, recreation, arts and culture, and a broad base of community services.
Bellevue Parks & Community Services Equity Statement: A System of Fairness 
Equity acknowledges and removes disparities in opportunities, power, and resources so that everyone can reach their full potential to thrive. Bellevue Parks & Community Services practices equity, which is the responsibility of every individual in the department. Equitable access is a right, not a privilege, and is fundamental to our mission of serving all people. Through equitable policies and practices, we cultivate ties that connect people to the fabric of our community

This position operates and maintains large and complex irrigation systems that requires a high level of technical knowledge of industry irrigation controllers, valves, heads, pumps, wiring, and inspection to ensure the most effective and efficient use of water resources.    
As a Technical Specialist you will be expected to demonstrate exceptional skill and knowledge associated with the operation of Rain Bird IQ4 Maxicom Central Control Irrigation control systems, design and review of irrigation systems and plans, repair and modification of existing systems, and serve as a technical advisor to staff within and outside of the division.

This position assists with identifying water conservation opportunities with design, maintenance, and renovation of Parks Department irrigation systems by implementing best management practices to improve irrigation and general maintenance efficiencies. The position provides timely response to critical safety and maintenance issues.  

Other responsibilities include:

• Read and interpret design print and specifications of pipes, valves, heads, electric, hydraulic, or manual control systems for the purpose of installing, repairing, and maintaining irrigation systems. 
• Repair irrigation systems to include use of design prints to locate the system and correct the problems. 
• Requisition materials and supplies for maintenance and repair of irrigation systems. 
• Operate, program, and troubleshoot computerized irrigation systems including installation and repair of central control units, memory boards, sensors and master valves. 
• Maintain an inventory of tools and irrigation system parts used for routine repairs. 
• Install, repair, maintain, and perform tests on backflow devices. 
• Replace worn, damaged, or defective heads, valves, and controllers. 
• Maintain and update maps, as-builts, plans/specifications of irrigation systems. 
• Maintain and compile written records/reports of irrigation systems activities. 
• Inspect irrigation systems installed by staff or outside contractors at right-of-way landscapes and other park facilities and recommend maintenance, repair, or modification as needed. 
• Prioritize, schedule, assign, and oversee work for subordinates on a daily basis based on priorities or urgency of projects or issues on hand.
• Provide training to full-time and supplemental crew members either formally or on the job on maintenance, equipment safety and techniques, traffic control, and irrigation operation.
• Communicate effectively with vendors, contractors, other city employees, and the public to coordinate work activities, review status of work projects, and resolve problems.
• Provide customer service to the public, city departments, volunteer organizations and other governmental agencies as needed.
• Identify maintenance, renovation, replacement, or repair requirements through inspections, comments, or concerns from supervisors, city employees, crew members, and the public.
• Monitor and interpret the condition of landscape plants, trees, and turf and operate and troubleshoot irrigation system accordingly.

• Expected to perform with little or no supervision while in the field.
• Coordinates closely with Street Tree and Arterial Landscape program staff.
• May be responsible for supervision of 2 to 3 part-time and seasonal field staff.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of operation and troubleshooting of both the IQ and Maxicom central control systems 
• Ability to make decisions necessary to plan, organize, and complete work for multiple project sites efficiently and effectively. 
• Knowledge of landscape construction, irrigation troubleshooting and repair, including two-wire and multiple strand low voltage field wired systems.
• Ability to read and interpret irrigation system plans and specifications.
• Experience delivering quality customer service to the public with proven customer communication skills.
• Basic computer experience in word processing and spreadsheet software required. Database experience preferred.
• Clear and concise oral and written interpersonal communication skills.
• Mechanical problem-solving skills as well as the ability to estimate project costs and schedule work. 
• Ability to perform effectively with little or no supervision.

• A demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning of diversity, equity & inclusion principles and a commitment to implement these principles in your work.

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Washington State driver’s license or ability to obtain.
• Minimum three years of experience maintaining and repairing irrigation systems. 
• Technical college certificate or coursework related to arboriculture and/or irrigation systems preferred.
• Working knowledge of both the Rain Bird IQ4 and Maxicom central computerized central control systems
• One year of supervisory experience.
• Experience with operating and troubleshooting computerized irrigation systems. 
• Experience monitoring and interpreting the condition of turf, trees, and other landscaping. 
• Working knowledge of the City of Bellevue Utility Department’s Landscape Water Budgeting methodology
• Maxicom Operator or Technician Certification preferred or ability to obtain within one year.
• Washington State Certification of Backflow Assembly Testers (BAT) preferred or ability to obtain certification within one year.
• Washington Pesticide Applicator license desirable.
• ISA Arborist Certification desirable.
• Washington State Flagging and Traffic Control Certification or ability to obtain within one year.
• Traffic Control Supervisor (TCS) Certification desirable once minimum flagging hours have been met.
• Selected candidate must pass a pre-employment flexibility test and physical capacity test.
• Selected candidate must pass a criminal background check

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. and engage in considerable pulling, pushing, and climbing.
• Work is done mostly outdoors in all type of weather conditions. Common hazards include traffic, underground lines, chemicals, and equipment.
• Individuals must have adequate hearing and visual acuity to successfully perform the essential job responsibilities and requirements of the position. Individuals must be able to hear and understand verbal communications and other outside sound sources. Vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

HIRING PROCESS
The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Questions when requested and can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications. 

At the City of Bellevue, you’ll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The five essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: exceptional public service, stewardship, commitment to employees, integrity, innovation and diversity, equity & inclusion. You’ll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It’s what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.
  
Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or recruiting@bellevuewa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing. 

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/IER_RightToWorkPoster.pdf (Download PDF reader)

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RighttoWorkPosterES.pdf (Download PDF reader)

For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.

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