Irrigation Technician

Build

Grass is greener at other people’s feet because they watered it.

Israelmore Ayivor
Irrigation Technician

In A Nutshell

I install and maintain irrigation systems for farmers.

I work with farmers to set up systems in fields or work in greenhouses with horticulturists. 

I repair and replace valves, hoses, and pipes as needed, as well as install timers, locate irrigation zones, and weatherize equipment. 

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Potential Salary Range

$38,000-60,000 Annually

Which provinces would this job be in?

Alberta AB
Alberta
British Columbia BC
British Columbia
Manitoba MB
Manitoba
New Brunswick NB
New Brunswick
Newfoundland & Labrador NL
Newfoundland & Labrador
Nova Scotia NS
Nova Scotia
Ontario ON
Ontario
Prince Edward Island PEI
Prince Edward Island
Quebec QC
Quebec
Saskwatchewan SK
Saskwatchewan

I travel out to the location to look at the source of water, the field, and note if there are any existing pipes nearby. I communicate with the customer/farmer to plan for the development of a new system, then return to the office to develop a formal proposal. 

Workplace

Indoor / Outdoor

Job Requirements & Duties

  • Testing the soil and vegetation to determine irrigation needs
  • Mapping out areas for irrigation installation
  • Digging trenches and installing pipes and lines
  • Installing pumps and electrical timers and troubleshooting broken parts
  • Testing the irrigation system with the aid of computer software
  • Completing progress reports and paperwork

Education & Training

  • A college diploma, bachelor’s degree, or trade certificate in a related field, such as horticulture, water treatment, landscaping, or crop sciences would be valuable.
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Job Outlook

    Many farms are adopting water conservation practices and irrigating crops less, but the need for irrigation systems continues to increase.  

Related School Subjects

Ed. Prof. et Tech.
Science
Career Education

What words come to mind when thinking about this career?

Water Irrigation Crops

Important Skills

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Problem Solving

Every site is different, but it's my job to come up with an irrigation solution for every customer.

Customer Service

I spend a lot of time working directly with customers to understand their needs, so feeling comfortable in that customer service role is important.

Mechanical

This is a hands-on job using heavy equipment, pumps, tanks, and more, so it's necessary to enjoy hands-on work. 

Planning

For most farmers, the growing season is a short window of time. I have to plan my time well to maximize how many people I can help in that window.

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The Best Things About This Job Are…

Pays Well
Independent Work
Opportunity to Travel
Flexible Work Environment
Problem Solving
Opportunities for Advancement & Promotion
Seasonality
Similar Careers
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Helpful Links
ALIS - Water and Wastewater Operator Occupation Profile
Alberta Irrigation
snapAG- Irrigation
snapAG- Water Management
Career Glossary
Proposal
Troubleshooting
References
Irrigation Specialist. (2020).
Irrigation Technician Must-Have Resume Skills and Keywords. (No Date).
Disclaimer

All career information has been gathered from a variety of sources and compiled to provide a general idea as to what each career could entail. Agriculture in the Classroom Canada is committed to doing our best to ensure the information is current and reliable. However, we will not be liable for the accuracy of the information. Please contact us if you notice errors or would like to provide feedback.