Job Details

Salary : $65,228.80 - $79,289.60 Annually
Location : Fountain Valley, CA
Job Type: Non-exempt FLSA
Job Number: 2025-53
Department: Public Works
Division: Field Services
Opening Date: 11/17/2025

Description
JOIN OUR TEAM AND HELP KEEP FOUNTAIN VALLEY BEAUTIFUL!
THE CITY OF FOUNTAIN VALLEY
The City of Fountain Valley is nestled in the heart of Orange County. With approximately 60,000 residents, the City is only 7 miles from the beach with countless restaurants, entertainment venues, shopping centers, and Disneyland within a 15-mile radius of the City, providing many options for a rich work-life balance. We are committed to maintaining beautiful public spaces, parks, and streetscapes, and we value a safe, sustainable, and efficient irrigation system that keeps our city green, functional, and welcoming for all residents.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The City of Fountain Valley is seeking a skilled Irrigation Technician to install, maintain, and repair irrigation systems across municipal properties, parks, and public spaces. The ideal candidate combines technical expertise with strong problem-solving skills and a commitment to providing safe and efficient water management.
EXCELLENT BENEFITS INCLUDE

• 4/10 schedule (off Fridays)
• 4% base salary increase in July 2026
• An incredible retirement / pension: CalPERS (2%@60 for Classic or 2%@62 for PEPRA)
• Flex dollars for CalPERS medical HMO/PPO plans - (Tier III): $675 for Employee Only; $1,175 for Employee + 1 Dependent; or $1,450 for Employee + Family. Flex dollars are applied to medical, dental (mandatory), life insurance (mandatory), vision and optional AFLAC insurance.
• Matching deferred compensation contribution (up to $225 per month)
• City-paid long-term disability insurance
• Generous leave accruals
• 11 paid holidays, including one floating holiday

Job Overview
Essential Duties:

• Operates, inspects, programs and repairs all components of smart and automated irrigation systems at landscaped sites, including automatic controllers, valves, water mains, lateral lines, sprinklers, and backflow devices.
• Assists with monitoring and inspecting the work of contractors engaged in the maintenance, construction, and care of City owned landscaped areas.
• Excavates, repairs, and installs irrigation systems including all sprinkler parts, sprinkler heads, valves, and controllers.
• Inspects, programs, adjusts, and modifies irrigation systems.
• Operates a variety of trenching equipment including backhoes, tractors, trenchers, and root cutters.
• Operates a variety of test equipment including Volt/OHM meter, wire, and valve locators.
• Loads, lifts, and carries various materials, equipment, and supplies.
• Traces, locates, excavates, and repairs low voltage direct burial wiring.

Other Job-Related Duties:

• Maintain inventory of irrigation supplies, tools, and equipment.
• Read irrigation plans and blueprints and record essential built in changes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

This job announcement is not intended to include a complete listing of all responsibilities, knowledge, skills and abilities associated with the position. For further details, please click on the following link to access the full class specification for

Qualification Guidelines
EDUCATION:

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• College coursework with an emphasis in park and sports turf, landscape and park maintenance, irrigation, horticulture, or a related field is highly desirable.

EXPERIENCE:

• Previous experience maintaining and repairing irrigation systems is required.
• Previous experience operating, maintaining, and programming a centralized irrigation system is highly desirable.

LICENSE REQUIRED:
Incumbents must maintain, at all times, the license(s) and certification(s) required for this job description.

• A valid California Class "C" Driver's License is required.
• A California Class A or B commercial driver's license for airbrake and manual transmission is desirable.
• Certified Irrigation Technician issued by the Irrigation Association is desirable.
• QWEL certification as a Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper is desirable
• Water Use Efficiency Practitioner certificate issued by AWWA is desirable.
• Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester certificate issued by the Orange County Health Care Agency is highly desirable.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

• Must be able to work irregular hours and days, overtime, weekends, holidays, variable shifts, stand-by duty, and evenings as necessary.

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT DESIGNATION:

Non-exempt
COVERAGE UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REGULATIONS:

Incumbents in this classification are covered under the Department of Transportation regulations for drug and alcohol policy are specified in the City's Administrative Regulation No. 1051.

Recruitment Information

To be considered for this excellent opportunity, please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaire.

To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete your application and consider having your profile created and/or updated before applying for the position. Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. If you require technical assistance, please review the Government Jobs , or contact their toll-free Applicant Support line at (855) ###-####. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by the internet connection, computer or browser used to submit the application.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS RECRUITMENT SHOULD BE SENT TO .

Selection Process:
The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, performance exercise, and oral interview. The employment application and supplemental questions will be evaluated based on the employment standards and minimum qualifications listed above.

Important Recruitment Information:
All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully completing all components of the pre-employment process which may include but is not limited to: reference checks, background investigation, credit check, California Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal history check (Live Scan fingerprinting), and pre-employment medical examination.

Please note: Fountain Valley business offices will be closed Thursday, December 25, 2025 through Friday, January 2, 2026.

The City of Fountain Valley is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Candidates with a disability who may need accommodations during the selection process must notify the Human Resources Department at least 72 hours in advance of the exam date.

Note: The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained within may be modified or revoked without notice.
Municipal Employees Association (MEA) Representation: This classification is represented by the Fountain Valley Municipal Employees Association for additional information.
Flexible Work Schedules: Most MEA employees are offered the option to work a flexible work schedule, including either a 4/10 or 9/80 work schedule.
Compensation:

• Base Salary Adjustments

4% base salary adjustment effective Pay Period Ending July 3, 2026.

• Merit Increase

MEA employees shall be eligible for merit increases annually on the first day of the pay period closest to their anniversary date, until they reach the fifth step.

• Deferred Compensation Matching Contribution

Employees in regular positions may voluntarily participate in the City's deferred compensation plan. This plan is provided by Empower. The City will match up to a total amount of $225 per month into each employee's deferred compensation account for each MEA employee who contributes to the City's deferred compensation plan.

• Other Specialty Pays
  Employees under certain classifications or assignments, or who possess specialized skills, training, and/or certifications may be eligible for other specialty pays. Examples of these pays include Call Out Pay, Emergency Call Out for Major Incidents, Standby Pay, Shift Differential Pay, Specialty Assignment Pay (Streets Division), Specialty Pay, and Water Certificate Pay. Please refer to the for further details.

Retirement: All full-time employees are members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) - a defined benefit program. Employees are enrolled in one of the following retirement formulas based on date of hire.

• New Members / PEPRA (Hired on or after January 1, 2013): As defined by the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), "New Members" have never been a member of any California public retirement system, were hired by a CalPERS agency after January 1, 2013, moved between public retirement systems lacking reciprocity, or moved between employers in the same public retirement system with a break in service of more than six months. New Members are enrolled in the 2% at age 62 retirement formula and pay a contribution rate of 50% of the total normal cost of the PEPRA member benefits for their retirement pension. This rate is determined annually based on the actuarial valuation of the retirement benefits provided to active PEPRA employees. For Fiscal Year 25/26, employees pay a mandatory 7.75% pre-tax contribution for this retirement benefit.

• Classic Members (Hired on or before December 31, 2012): New employees who are current members of CalPERS or an agency with CalPERS' reciprocity or who have less than a six-month break in service between employment in a CalPERS (or reciprocal) agency and employment with the City will be enrolled in the 2% at age 60 retirement formula. Employees pay a mandatory 7% pre-tax contribution for this retirement benefit. To determine if you are eligible for reciprocity, please click on the following link:

For both Classic and PEPRA Members, the City contracts for the three-year average for final compensation, a 2% Cost-of-Living adjustment in retirement, and service credit for unused sick leave. The City also contracts for the Fourth Level Survivor Benefit ($2 per member per month). Please refer to the FVMEA Memorandum of Understanding for additional CalPERS contract provisions.
Health Insurance: The City will contribute towards the cost of health premiums for full-time employees as follows:
Enrollment Tier

Flex Dollar Monthly Allowance

Employee Only Coverage

$675.00

Employee +1 Dependent Coverage

$1,175.00

Employee + Family Coverage

$1,450.00
The Flex Dollar Allowance may be used for medical (optional), dental (mandatory), life insurance (mandatory), vision insurance (optional), and AFLAC (optional) premiums. All health benefits are effective on the first of the month following date of hire.

• Medical

Employees have a choice to select a medical plan under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program. Please visit for more information regarding the various plans offered under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program, as well as the current premium rates.

• Dental

Enrollment in a City dental plan is mandatory for all eligible employees. Coverage is managed under the cafeteria plan, and premiums are paid by the employee (Flex Dollars may be used).

• Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (ADD)

Enrollment in a City life and ADD plan is mandatory for all eligible employees. The policy amount is $50,000. Coverage is managed under the cafeteria plan, and premiums are paid by the employee (Flex Dollars may be used).

• Vision

Enrollment in a City vision plan is voluntary for all eligible employees. Coverage is managed under the cafeteria plan, and premiums are paid by the employee.

• AFLAC

Employees have the option to enroll in a variety of voluntary insurance plans including accident, short-term disability, hospital confinement indemnity, cancer/specified-disease, lump sum critical illness, and whole or term life insurance. Employee is responsible for the entire cost of the premium if they elect coverage.
Note: City employees do not participate in California's Disability Insurance (SDI) or Paid Family Leave (PFL) programs through the Employment Development Department (EDD). While this saves employees 1.3% in payroll tax, it's important to keep this in mind when deciding whether or not to enroll in the AFLAC short-term disability benefit.

• Flexible Spending Account

Employees may contribute pre-tax earnings into a flexible spending account for health ($3,400 maximum in 2026) and dependent care expenses ($7,500 maximum in 2026).

• Long-Term Disability

The City provides long-term disability insurance for all MEA employees at no cost. The City pays 100% of the policy premiums.

• Medical Opt-Out

Employees who provide proof of alternate group health insurance may waive the employer's medical coverage and receive a monthly taxable cash payment of $162 (the PEMHCA minimum in 2026). Mandatory dental and life insurance premiums are deducted from this cash payment, with the remaining balance paid to the employee.

• Retiree Medical

Employees who retire from the City of Fountain Valley may be entitled to a monthly employer contribution towards health insurance if they meet certain criteria. In 2026, this monthly employer contribution is $162 (the PEMHCA minimum).
Time Off From Work: The City offers a generous leave package!

• Holidays

MEA employees shall be entitled to 11 paid holidays per calendar year (including a "floating holiday" that can be used at the employee's discretion).

• Vacation

Employees accrue 80 hours of paid vacation leave per year. Accruals increase based on time in service with the City of Fountain Valley, beginning after completion of 1 year of service (increases to 120 hours per year). MEA employees may elect to receive a cash payment for up to 80 hours of accrued vacation at the end of the calendar year if certain criteria are met.

• Sick

Sick leave accrues bi-weekly based on the employee's work schedule:

Work Schedule

Bi-Weekly Accrual

Monthly Equivalent

5/8 or 9/80

3.69

One 8-Hour Day

4/10

4.62 Hours

One 10-Hour Day

Tuition Reimbursement: Eligible employees may receive up to $3,000 per fiscal year for actual tuition expenses.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The City provides a confidential, no-cost Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to help you and your household members navigate personal challenges. This third-party service offers support for personal counseling, financial guidance, legal advice, and more.
Social Security: City employees are not covered under the provisions of Federal Social Security (OASDI); therefore, they are not required to contribute 6.2% of salary towards Social Security.
Medicare: Employees contribute 1.45% to Medicare.
This benefit summary is intended to provide an easy way for current and prospective employees to access fringe benefit information, including voluntary options. This summary is intended to be accurate, but it is not an official plan document, and has no legal or binding effect as an expressed or implied contract, or otherwise, and does not alter or amend any provision of the Compensation Plan, Memoranda of Understanding, Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual, Retirement Contract, Insurance Policy Contract, or any other official document of the City of Fountain Valley. All insurance benefits described in the summary are subject to the terms and limitations of the City of Fountain Valley's insurance contracts with individual insurance providers.
Should you have any questions pertaining to information in this summary, please contact the Human Resources Division at (714) ###-####.
01

Do you possess a high school diploma or equivalent certificate? (Required)

• Yes
• No

02

Please list any college coursework you have completed with an emphasis in park and sports turf, landscape and park maintenance, irrigation, horticulture, or a related field.
03

Please indicate your years of experience maintaining and repairing irrigation systems.

• No experience
• Less than 6 months (full time equivalent)
• 6 months to 1 year (full time equivalent)
• 1 - 2 years (full time equivalent)
• 2 - 3 years (full time equivalent)
• Over 3 years of experience

04

Describe in detail your experience with installation, maintenance, and repair of irrigation systems.
05

Please indicate your years of experience operating, maintaining, and programming centralized irrigation systems.

• No experience
• Less than 6 months (full time equivalent)
• 6 months to 1 year (full time equivalent)
• 1 - 2 years (full time equivalent)
• 2 - 3 years (full time equivalent)
• Over 3 years of experience

06

Please check any of the following California Driver's Licenses that you currently possess.

• Class "A" License (Commercial)
• Class "B" License (Commercial)
• Class "C" License (Basic, Non-Commercial)
• None of the Above

07

Please check which (if any) certifications you possess:

• Certified Irrigation Technician issued by the Irrigation Association
• QWEL certification as a Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper
• Water Use Efficiency Practitioner certificate issued by AWWA
• Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester certificate issued by the Orange County Health Care Agency
• None of the above

Required Question