Irrigation Tech Crew Leader

Under the general supervision of a Landscape Operations Manager, acts as the primary source ensuring job site quality; this includes ensuring that tools and equipment are maintained in good order and the maintenance of a safe and orderly work environment. This position requires instruction on the proper commercial horticultural management and the use of industry equipment and focuses on the maintenance and repairs of irrigation system. This is a full-time, non-exempt position.

Rubicon Landscape is more than a landscaping company — we’re a mission-driven division of Rubicon Programs, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming East Bay communities. As an Irrigation Tech Crew Lead, you’ll help deliver exceptional landscape care while supporting a social enterprise that reinvests every dollar of net income into job training, financial education, and other life-changing services. Assignments include work on local and federal sites, with competitive pay and the opportunity to gain valuable experience. This is your opportunity to apply your expertise with purpose, combining professional knowledge with meaningful community impact.

Rubicon uses E- Verify to validate the eligibility of our new employees to work legally in the United States. 
RESPONSIBILITIES   

• Job-site quality: Distribute work among crew members, oversee tasks, monitor work quality, and serve as the crew's liaison to management. Responsible for the consistent delivery of on-time work production and service in line with Rubicon Landscapes and contract quality standards. Identify irrigation issues and make suggestions, repairs, and maintenance of irrigation systems. 
• Schedule week’s work routes/very early dawn shift hours to adjust for less pedestrian traffic and busy parking zones to do scheduled work, and to adjust for unforeseen demands to expedite work completions in other non-scheduled zones.
• Maintain flowers, shrubs, ground covers, lawns, hedges, and other plants: Plant, grade, seed, and fertilize; mow, trim, and weed; spray. Remove debris water landscapes and make irrigation adjustments.
• Vehicles and equipment: Clean and prepare vehicles for the next service day; inspect and maintain equipment (including lubricating as needed) before use to ensure proper and safe operation; report problems to the Supervisor.  
• General conduct and safety: Provide initial correction to team members regarding inappropriate or unprofessional behavior. Report unsafe working conditions and/or practices to the Supervisor immediately. 
• Communication: Build relationships with clients and property managers; serve as the first point of contact in the field for questions and issues. 
• Evaluation: Assist Managers in the assessment of the performance of the team members.

COMPETENCIES    

• Leadership, reliability, teamwork, interpersonal flexibility, solid communication skills, a customer service approach, and receptivity to instructions and feedback from supervisors.
• Proficiency in the use and inspection of backpack sprayers, pole saw/pruners, hand saws, lawn mowers greater than 36" rototillers, brush chippers, aerators, thatcher's and of basic sprinkler adjustments and repairs.
• Demonstrate competent skills working with wiring/valve issues, 2-wire/decoder systems, repairing irrigation main breaks/leaks sized piping up to 6”, and working with various types of commercial irrigation controllers.
• Proficiency in the proper techniques and methods of pruning and shaping trees and other specimens naturally and of applying fertilizers and pesticides. Ability to instruct others.
• Possess a landscape construction background to manage and assist in new landscape installations or renovations to existing landscapes.  Maintain time management for developing phases of landscape projects and plan for materials to be used on the sites.
• Exhibit flexibility and knowledge to operate various construction equipment such as tractors, trenchers, excavators, compactor plates, and trench compactors.
• Comfortable in using technology and software in a daily basis.

Building Effective Teams – Fosters collaboration, trust, and open communication to achieve team goals.

Developing Others – Coaches and supports employee growth through feedback and opportunities.

Managerial Courage – Tackles tough issues directly with honesty, integrity, and respect.

Managing Vision and Purpose – Inspires others by sharing a clear vision and connecting work to mission.

REQUIREMENTS  

• Valid REAL ID driver’s license and acceptable Motor Vehicle Report.
• 2-3 years minimum of Crew Leader experience
• 2-3 years of irrigation repair experience
• Must pass federal background check. 
• Bend and/or kneel up to 10% of the time.
• Lift, reach, carry, push, pull: up to 50 pounds and up to 50% of the time.
• Stand and walk up to 90% of the time.
• Must be able to work outside during all seasons of the year.
• Conversant or fluent in English language and conversant in Spanish language.
• Must be proficient in using a smart phone to send/receive calls, text, and emails.

COMPENSATION  

• Starting Pay: $30–$32 per hour

  California Public Works and/or Federal Prevailing Wage may apply for certain assignments.

•  Competitive benefits package including medical (HMO/HSA), dental, and vision coverage; company holidays; and an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Paid vacation (0-3  years = 3 weeks (15 days) per year  |  3+ years = 4 weeks (20 days) per year) and sick leave (12 days/year).

Rubicon is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and values the diversity of culture, thought and lived experiences. We seek talented, qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, conviction history, uniform service membership/veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical conditions, genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression regardless of physical gender, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.