Job Opportunities

Tumalo Irrigation District – Ditch Rider

Starting Wage: $22.00 to $25.00 DOE
Benefits (after 6-month probationary period): Health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), District contribution to Retirement plan, 8 paid holidays/year, 5-15 days paid vacation/year (based on tenure), 10 days paid sick leave/year, District vehicle.
Location: Bend, OR

Distributes irrigation water to the users of the District’s water rights within their assigned area in accordance with Oregon Revised Statutes, Oregon Administrative Rules, District Policies and Procedures and District management direction using information based upon decrees, partial decrees, permits, licenses and transfers. The Ditch Rider encounters and must communicate with District patrons daily. The District places  tremendous value on strong relationships and timely, respectful communication with its water users. The employee works under the supervision of the District Manager and/or Field Supervisor during Irrigation Season and Maintenance Season.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
• Perform a variety of semi-skilled and skilled duties in the distribution, measurement, and delivery of irrigation water to irrigators.
• Measurement and balancing of water distribution using weirs, meters, and basic math.
• Perform repair work in, on, and around irrigation facilities including cleaning and maintenance of irrigation canals, ditches, trash racks, pipelines and other structures as necessary to assure: (1) safe access to facilities, (2) proper operation of facilities (3) proper conveyance and distribution of irrigation water in a timely manner.
• Patrol assigned area by motor vehicle, by foot or any other management approved manner to detect leaks, breaks, weak areas, or obstructions and damage to the irrigation system.
• Remove debris and make emergency repairs to banks, structures, and gates.
• Curtail unauthorized or excessive diversions.

JOB QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
• Working knowledge of residential and farm-scale irrigation — open canals and piped systems – with an understanding of basic hydraulics, hydrology, and water measurement techniques.
• Working knowledge and experience with heavy equipment.
• Ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel (with basic proficiency in computer operations).
• Ability to read and understand plats, land surveys, and basic construction drawings
• Ability to perform basic mathematical functions for accurate calculations
• Ability to understand oral and written instructions
• Ability to communicate efficiently and proficiently via voice, text, and email. When writing formal letters, reports or emails, proper grammar and spelling is essential.
• Ability to establish an effective working relationship with other employees, supervisors, outside contractors, and the public.
• Possess excellent time management skills and ability to efficiently prioritize work tasks • Ability to operate motor vehicles, machines, and tools safely and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and work rules.

OTHER DUTIES:
• Previous experience working with telemetry and GPS systems preferred.
• May learn semi-skilled maintenance, repair, and construction work in an assigned work area.
• Responds to emergency repair requests.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
• Maintains records of maintenance and inventory of all assigned equipment.
• Ensures proper safety precautions are observed.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
• The employee is required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls.
• The employee is required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• The employee is occasionally required to walk and balance on slippery and / or uneven terrain and narrow structures.
• Work in close proximity to moving water in irrigation canals and river diversions.
• Ability to perform strenuous physical activities, occasionally lifting to 80 lbs.
• Ability to walk several miles in a day over rough terrain.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Outside weather exposure
• Occasionally the employee may be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and vibration.
• Work emergency on-call during the irrigation season ( April 1 – October 31), to working a 40 hour work week that may include weekends during the irrigation season (with occasional over-time as necessary), and to carry a phone that is always on, and that you must respond to during the irrigation season.

ENVIROMENTAL FACTORS:
• Exposure to the sun: 25% to 100% work time spent outside a building.
• Use of ladders or other work surfaces from 1 to 12 feet above ground.
• Performs manual labor in sub-zero to 100-degree temperatures.
• Occasional work in the vicinity of constant/intermittent/loud noises/sounds.
• Frequently works on unusually wet and/or slippery surfaces.
• Frequent work in or around areas with small to large amounts of dust present.
• Occasional work where gases, fumes, and odors are present.
• Confined/Restricted Spaces Infrequent entry into confined/restricted work environments.
• Frequent work involving oils, solvents, paints, greases, and lubricants.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:
• Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the necessary knowledge and abilities is qualifying.
• A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be Graduation from High School or Equivalent.
• Experience working in an irrigation setting preferred.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATE/REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT:
• Possession of a valid Oregon Driver License.
• Oregon Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class A, or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Dam Operator Certification upon district request.

Possession and proof of a good driving record as evidenced by freedom from multiple or serious traffic violations or accidents for at least two (2) years duration.

The specific statements shown in each section of this job description are not intended to be all inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job and meeting the needs of the district. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

This full-time position is being advertised February 2023 until filled.

Application, cover letter and resume should be submitted to the District office by email at staff@tumalo.org or you may drop all three documents off in person at our District office located at 64697 Cook Avenue. To view full job announcement visit our website at: http://www.tumalo.org

Top candidates will receive an interview, and interviews will be held until the position is filled. Start date is flexible and negotiable, but candidates are encouraged to be ready, willing, and able to start as soon as possible.

Appointment to the position is through an open competitive process and will be based on the General Manager and Field Manager’s evaluation of merit, qualification, experience, and character. The starting wage for this position is competitive with similar jobs in the County and negotiable depending on experience.