Irrigation Supervisor

Description

Position Summary:

The Irrigation Supervisor is responsible for overseeing all aspects of irrigation operations for blueberry and hazelnut crops. This includes managing irrigation schedules, maintaining systems, and leading the irrigation team to ensure optimal water delivery and crop health. The Irrigation Supervisor works closely with farm management to align irrigation strategies with overall farm objectives, ensuring efficient resources. The role is essential to support organizational goals and model best practices, guided by our values of Excellence, Accountability, Transparency and Stewardship (EATS).

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

•  Supervises and leads the irrigation team, including Irrigation Leads and Irrigators, by assigning daily tasks, monitoring progress, and ensuring productivity.
•  Trains team members on irrigation best practices, safety protocols, and system maintenance.
•  Provides ongoing mentorship and support to foster skill development and teamwork.
•  Conducts regular team meetings to communicate goals, address challenges, and ensure alignment with farm objectives.
•  Develops and implements irrigation schedules to meet crop water needs efficiently and sustainably.
•  Monitors water usage, ensuring adherence to budget and conservation goals.
•  Ensures uniform water distribution across fields, addressing issues such as flooding or dry spots.
•  Oversees the inspection, maintenance, and repair of irrigation systems, including pumps, valves, pipelines, and emitters.
•  Ensures preventive maintenance is performed regularly to minimize downtime and prolong equipment life.
•  Manages and resolves complex system issues, escalating concerns to the Farm Manager as needed
•  Conducts field inspections to evaluate soil moisture levels, crop health, and system performance.
•  Analyzes data and trends to adjust irrigation strategies for optimal results.
•  Maintains detailed records of irrigation activities, repairs, water usage, and system performance.
•  Reports operational challenges, resource needs, and system updates to the Farm Manager.
•  Ensures all irrigation activities comply with company safety standards and environmental regulations.
•  Promotes a culture of safety by enforcing proper use of equipment, personal protective gear, and protocols.
•  Works closely with the Farm Manager and other department leads to integrate irrigation activities into overall farm operations.
•  Provides input on resource planning, including staffing, equipment needs, and water management strategies.
•  Supports other farm operations as needed during peak periods or emergencies.
•  Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

•  Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains new staff.
•  Oversees the daily workflow of the department.
•  Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations.
•  Handles discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy.
•  Ensures timecards are reviewed and approved properly.
•  Partners with safety to promote a positive safety culture.

Requirements

Essential Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily, including all important aspects of the job- whether performed daily, weekly, monthly, or annually; and any duty that occurs at irregular intervals. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

•  Strong knowledge of crop agronomics and modern irrigation technologies (e.g., drip and sprinkler systems).
•  Ability to obtain a private applicator license.
•  Knowledge of fertilizer management (organic and conventional).
•  Proficiency in inventory management (organic and conventional).
•  Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide a team.
•  Proficiency in troubleshooting and resolving complex irrigation system issues.
•  Knowledge of soil moisture management and crop water needs, particularly for blueberries and hazelnuts.
•  Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
•  Strong communication skills to collaborate with team members and management.
•  Basic computer skills for record-keeping and reporting.
•  Mathematical proficiency in calculating flow rates, water usage, and ratios.
•  Professionalism when interacting with vendors, employees, and growers.
•  Attention to detail and a commitment to excellence.

Qualifications:

•  High school diploma or equivalent required; additional technical training in irrigation or agriculture preferred.
•  5+ years of experience managing irrigation systems, preferably in berry or hazelnut farming.
•  2+ years of supervisory experience leading teams in an agricultural setting.
•  Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
•  Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Excel, Word) and AGRAIN.
•  Bilingual in English and Spanish (verbal and written), preferred.