Irrigation Department Manager - Full Time Year Round - Salary

Apex Outdoor Inc. – Shakopee, Minnesota

Full-Time | Year-Round Position
Compensation: $35–$45/hour or Salary Option, Based on Experience
Revenue Growth Bonus Opportunity

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Apex Outdoor Inc. is a full-service property maintenance and landscape contractor headquartered in Shakopee, Minnesota. With more than 30 years of industry experience, we provide professional outdoor property services throughout the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro area.

Our services include Grounds Maintenance, Landscaping and Hardscapes, Irrigation, Lawn Applications, Snow & Ice Management, and additional exterior property services for commercial properties, HOAs, apartment communities, and residential customers.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Apex Outdoor is seeking an experienced, motivated, and dependable Irrigation Department Manager to lead and grow our Irrigation Department.

This is a hands-on management position, with approximately 70% of the role working in the field alongside irrigation technicians and crews. The successful candidate must have extensive knowledge of irrigation system installation, troubleshooting, repair, maintenance, programming, and seasonal service.

In addition to field responsibilities, the Irrigation Department Manager will be responsible for managing crews, scheduling work, monitoring job performance and budgets, reviewing work tickets, managing inventory and materials, communicating with customers, and helping ensure the department operates safely, efficiently, and profitably.

This position will also play an important role in the growth of the Irrigation Department. The Manager will be expected to identify additional service opportunities, recommend system improvements and upgrades, build strong customer relationships, and help grow department revenue.

We are looking for someone who is comfortable leading from the front—someone who can diagnose a difficult irrigation problem, train employees, organize daily workflow, communicate professionally with customers, and keep projects moving.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
-Lead and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Irrigation Department.
-Schedule irrigation service calls, installations, inspections, start-ups, and winterizations.
-Lead, train, develop, and support irrigation technicians and field crews.
-Work alongside crews in the field as needed.
-Troubleshoot, diagnose, repair, install, and maintain residential, HOA, multi-family, and commercial irrigation systems.
-Perform spring irrigation system start-ups and fall blow-outs/winterizations.
-Complete monthly and seasonal irrigation system inspections.
-Program, install, troubleshoot, and replace a variety of irrigation controllers.
-Diagnose electrical and wiring problems using wire tracers, valve locators, multimeters, and other diagnostic equipment.
-Locate and repair underground piping, valves, wiring, sprinkler heads, and related components.
-Troubleshoot and repair valves, backflow preventers, RPZ assemblies, piping, fittings, sprinkler heads, and other irrigation components.
-Review irrigation systems for proper coverage, water efficiency, and overall system performance.
-Manage daily crew workflow and ensure work is completed safely and efficiently.
-Monitor labor hours, material usage, and job budgets.
-Review, complete, and approve work orders and service documentation.
-Maintain appropriate inventory levels for irrigation parts, materials, tools, and supplies.
-Coordinate purchasing and material needs for upcoming projects and service work.
-Communicate professionally with property managers, homeowners, customers, and internal team members.
-Explain irrigation system conditions, recommended repairs, upgrades, and ongoing maintenance needs to customers.
-Identify opportunities for irrigation repairs, upgrades, system improvements, water-saving solutions, and additional services.
-Help develop existing customer relationships and generate additional irrigation work.
-Assist with developing strategies to increase Irrigation Department revenue and profitability.
-Track department performance and help achieve established revenue and operational goals.
-Ensure company vehicles, trailers, equipment, and tools assigned to the department are properly maintained and organized.
-Promote and enforce company safety procedures and expectations.
-Assist with other company operations as needed throughout the year.

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

-Extensive hands-on experience with residential and commercial irrigation systems.
-Strong knowledge of irrigation installation, service, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance.
-Experience programming and installing multiple brands and models of irrigation controllers.
-Strong understanding of valves, solenoids, wiring, piping, sprinkler heads, backflow p