Technician Week | Virtual Classes | March 10-14, 2025

Registration is now closed for Technician Week 2025.

Take your career to the next level during Technician Week! This week-long virtual educational program is designed specifically for landscape irrigation technicians looking to build a solid foundation of skills and can help prepare for the Certified Irrigation Technician (CIT) designation*.

Classes are spread out over five days and held live via Zoom, giving you the opportunity to learn from industry experts in a convenient, interactive format. Once you complete the program, you’ll have the chance to take the CIT certification exam virtually at a date that works best for you by signing up here.

What’s in it for you?

  • Hands-on learning: Four essential courses packed with real-world tips and techniques.
  • Expert instructors: Learn from seasoned pros who know the industry inside and out.
  • Certification ready: Gain confidence, knowledge and resources to help prepare you for the CIT certification exam.
  • Earn CEUs: Gain valuable continuing education units to advance your professional development.

*IA Certification exams are based on our written exam resources; successful completion of an exam requires rigorous self-study. IA classes may supplement, but are not a substitute for individual preparation. For detailed topic outlines of each exam, consult the Certification Candidate Handbook.

Irrigation Components for Residential/Small Commercial Systems

Beginner | Landscape | 4 CEUs

Monday, March 10  |  11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Eastern

Instructor:  Kris Loomis, CID, CLIA, Sonoma County Water Agency and Santa Rosa Junior College

Increase your understanding of components for residential and small commercial irrigation systems. This half-day course covers system components from the point of connection to the point of water application, including how control systems, valves, sprays and rotors work.

Member Price: $190 | Nonmember Price: $240 (includes digital workbook)

Electrical Troubleshooting: Diagnosing Field Wiring Problems

Beginner | Landscape & Golf | 4 CEUs

Tuesday, March 11  |  11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Eastern

Instructor: Rick Malkin, CLIA, CID, CIC, CIT, PMP, Rain Bird Corporation

Save time and money with this practical course in electrical troubleshooting. This half-day class covers diagnosing field wiring problems and proper use of volt-ohm meters. Learn to systematically assess and resolve confusing electrical problems.

Member Price: $190 | Nonmember Price: $240 (includes digital workbook)

Hydraulic Troubleshooting

Intermediate | Landscape | 4 CEUs

Wednesday, March 12  |  11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Eastern

Instructor: Christine Hawkins, CID, CLIA, Hunter Industries Inc.

Review the essentials of hydraulics for properly working landscape irrigation systems. This half-day class covers troubleshooting, design, system upgrades and more.

Member Price: $190 | Nonmember Price: $240 (includes digital manual)

Landscape Irrigation Technician

Beginner | Landscape & Golf | 8 CEUs

(Part 1 of 2) Thursday, March 13  |  11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Eastern

(Part 2 of 2) Friday, March 14  |  11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Eastern

Co-Instructors: Scott Knowles, CGIA, CIC, CID, CLIA, Wolf Creek Company Inc. & John Raffiani, CIC, CIT, Raffiani’s Automatic Sprinkler Service

This two-part class will cover the basics of hydraulics and irrigation system installation and maintenance, including an overview of irrigation system components and how they operate. Learn about gluing and repairing PVC pipe, installing nozzles and adjusting heads, setting and repairing electric valves, and field and controller wiring techniques. Recommended review for the certified irrigation technician exam.

Member Price: $270 | Nonmember Price: $350 (includes digital manual)

Meet our instructors

Rick Malkin, CLIA, CID, CIC, CIT, PMP, has worked as an irrigation contractor, designer, consultant, IA instructor and manufacturer employee. He started working part-time for his father’s landscape and irrigation business in Southern California in 1970. He later started his own landscape and irrigation contracting business in California later moving to Memphis Tennessee installing residential and commercial projects. Rick is currently the central control product manager for the Landscape Division of the Rain Bird Corporation.  

Christine Hawkins, CID, CLIA, has a passion for teaching within the landscape industry — particularly on best practices in horticulture, water management and landscape irrigation. With many years of experience, she is still eager to learn about challenges and solutions from fellow professionals. After earning a degree in environmental horticultural science from Cal Poly, Hawkins focused on a variety of facets of the green industry. She is currently the specification manager for northern California for Hunter Industries. She collaborates with landscape architects, design professionals, irrigation consultants and municipalities on efficient irrigation systems.

Scott Knowles, CGIA, CIC, CID, CLIA, is the owner and president of Wolf Creek Company Inc., a distribution group that has been serving the green industry since 1961. Knowles received a degree in agriculture engineering from The Ohio State University and studied irrigation technologies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He has been an instructor for the Irrigation Association for 30 years and is an EPA WaterSense Partner. He has also served as a board member of the Irrigation Association of Ohio for the past three years.

Kris Loomis, CID, CLIA, has a passion for irrigation and gadgets like no other. Her 20+ years of experience and understanding of irrigation components along with her ability to present complex items in simple terms will make you feel at ease. She is currently a senior programs specialist with the Sonoma County Water Agency and an adjunct professor of agriculture/natural resources at Santa Rosa Junior College.

John Raffiani, CIC, CIT, is the owner and president of Raffiani’s Automatic Sprinkler Service in North Jersey and has been with the company since its beginning in 1966. He learned about piping, pumps, field irrigation, horticulture and soil texture at a very young age. When his grandfather began to sell parcels of his land in 1965 for housing developments, Raffiani (along with other family members) started to install lawn sprinklers and landscaping utilizing the leftover piping, sprays heads and shrubs from his grandfather’s business. Five decades and 16,900+ installations later, the company is still going strong.