Job Description:

Position Summary

The Irrigation Supervisor is a dynamic position within Crystal Bridges that supervises all facets of the irrigation program and performs maintenance, installation, and irrigation troubleshooting work to manage the overall program. In addition to performing irrigation maintenance work as required, this position will supervise staff to meet individual, departmental, and institutional goals. The supervisor oversees the daily operations as well as performing various office responsibilities such as purchasing materials, developing work schedules, and scheduling irrigation. This position seeks to train and educate team members to build their confidence and empower decision making in their individual roles. They will participate in the daily operations of construction projects and maintenance work to ensure the highest level of standards.

Position’s Principal Responsibilities

• Collaborates with department leadership to implement strategic objectives for the Trails & Grounds department.
• Closely oversees day-to-day activities of the irrigation system and operation.
• Manages irrigation schedule programing to maximize efficient water usage and maintain healthy plants.
• Supervises the management of irrigation systems in collaboration with other landscape technicians and horticulturists.
• Conducts routine audits of irrigation infrastructure to ensure that all system components are functioning correctly.
• Perform irrigation troubleshooting work and develop and administer work plans to correct deficiencies identified with the irrigation system.
• Creates and manages annual irrigation maintenance program, which includes core preventative maintenance work such as winterization of irrigation system, exercising gate valves, changing filters, tagging valves, calibrating flow sensors, etc.
• Design basic irrigation systems for small landscape enhancement projects.
• Trains and supervises the landscape / groundskeeping staff to perform basic irrigation maintenance work.
• Develop and maintain strategies that build a more collaborative team environment which empowers team members and builds a culture of understanding and how the team and individuals work impacts the grounds and overall guest experience.
• Promote succession planning for the department leadership and skilled positions by mentoring direct reports and promoting concepts of delegation and growth opportunities in the department.
• Reviews and comments on all plans submitted by outside landscape architects to ensure plans meet the projected goals of Crystal Bridges.
• Responsible for the administrative tasks of leading hourly direct reports by using provided tools and resources to document items associated with but not limited to, payroll, time off requests, etc.
• Creates, manages, and oversees the documentation and record keeping of job plans and work orders as it relates to irrigation projects and maintenance.
• Manages or oversees the work of outside contractors and vendors providing irrigation services.
• Researches and implements innovative field-related technologies that improve quality, efficiency, reduce costs, or improve safety for our guests and employees.
• Identifies, sources, and purchases equipment, tools, and materials for Grounds department.
• Responsible for the documentation and tracking of budget related expenses as relates to irrigation expenses.
• Ensures safety, hazardous materials and landscape / groundskeeping policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Ensures that quality standards of the grounds are kept through daily observation and supervision of the ground’s maintenance team.
• Foster a culture of safety in the workplace. Develop and champion safety initiatives that reduce health and safety risks for our employees, guests, and vendors.
• Supervises the implementation and adherence to all safety related initiatives and procedures on the work site and communicates and appropriately addresses any concerns related to safety as they arise.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Training, and Traits

• At least 3 years of relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge and practiced skill in a broad spectrum of irrigation work, from troubleshooting, controller installation and scheduling, mainline repairs, and valve maintenance/ installation.
• Previous training or experience with 2-wire irrigation control systems.
• Oral communication skills, with the ability to deliver concise, understandable presentations.
• Ability to work through teams, especially in implementing quality improvement techniques.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills.
• Proficiency in the use of personal computers and software, particularly Microsoft Office.
• Positive and professional attitude with an emphasis on details.
• Highest ethics as they relate to all aspects of business.
• Enthusiasm about being a positive member of a team who maintains an expanding public garden at a major art museum.

Work Experience

• At least 3 years’ experience working in a leadership/managerial role in public horticulture, estate-garden maintenance, and/or related field.

Licenses and Certifications

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Irrigation certifications or backflow certification is preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Sitting or leaning while on post will not be permitted.

• Physical demands: In the work environment described below, position requires verbal and written conversation with others, sitting, standing, walking, bending, climbing, reaching, strenuous lifting/moving objects up to 50 pounds, and use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.
• Work Environment: Work will be performed in an office environment, museum spaces, construction site, and in communities served. Work environment may include exposure to potentially hazardous chemical solutions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Position may require some independent overnight travel. On 24-hour emergency call by telephone and/or cell phone required. Incumbent must meet a flexible work schedule including evenings, and weekends and available on-call for emergencies.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. Crystal Bridges requires all employees to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, or meet Arkansas state requirements, subject to accommodations. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of work.

Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.