Cross Connection Control Inspector - Water Distribution

Job description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Under general supervision of the Water Distribution Division Manager, performs field inspections, compliance reviews, and administrative duties for the City's Cross-Connection Control and Customer Service Inspection programs. Identifies actual or potential cross-connections and illegal lead materials; evaluates health and non-health hazards; verifies required backflow protection; maintains regulatory records; educates customers; and supports enforcement of applicable TCEQ rules, City ordinances, and adopted codes. SUPERVISION EXERCISED This position exercises no supervision. IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES Conduct customer service inspections, within the scope authorized by TCEQ, and cross-connection surveys of new construction, modified private water systems, and existing commercial, industrial, institutional, municipal, and residential service connections where potential hazards are identified or suspected. Identify and document actual or potential cross-connections, illegal lead materials, and health and non-health hazards; assess back siphonage and backpressure conditions; and determine the required backflow prevention method or assembly. Maintain a complete and accurate electronic inventory of regulated facilities, irrigation systems, service connections, hazards, and backflow prevention assemblies, including account, location, hazard classification, assembly identification, test status, due dates, and corrective actions. Review Customer Service Inspection certificates and Backflow Prevention Assembly Test and Maintenance reports for completeness, accuracy, current credentials, gauge accuracy documentation, proper installation, pass/fail results, repairs, and required follow-up; reject or return deficient reports. Issue required testing, inspection, delinquency, and corrective-action notices; track compliance deadlines; schedule follow-up inspections; document resolution; and coordinate authorized enforcement actions, including service interruption and restoration, when necessary. Verify that backflow prevention assemblies and devices are approved, properly selected, located, installed, accessible, maintained, and tested at the intervals required by TCEQ rules, City ordinance, and adopted plumbing codes. Identify previously unrecorded hazards through field observations, utility account review, permit activity, customer complaints, and referrals; reassess facilities when ownership, occupancy, processes, equipment, or private plumbing changes. Investigate water quality complaints, suspected backflow incidents, failed tests, and other program referrals; document findings, initiate protective measures, and notify supervisors and regulatory agencies as required. Educate property owners, tenants, contractors, licensed testers and inspectors, and City staff regarding cross-connection hazards, testing and reporting requirements, corrective actions, and methods for protecting the public water system. Operate a City vehicle and mobile technology to travel throughout the City's water service area; perform inspections in varied indoor and outdoor environments; and document inspection findings, photographs, notices, and compliance activities. OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES Coordinate program activities and exchange information with Building Inspections, Development Services, Fire Marshal, Water Distribution, Customer Service/Billing, Environmental Laboratory, and other City departments, contractors, or regulatory agencies. Perform other job related duties and responsibilities as assigned. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Knowledge of: Applicable TCEQ rules and guidance, including 30 TAC Chapters 30, 290, and 344; City cross-connection control ordinances; adopted plumbing codes; and required TCEQ forms and records. Cross-connection control principles; backflow hydraulics; hazard assessment; containment and internal protection; general plumbing principles; and backflow prevention assembly/device selection, installation, testing, and maintenance requirements. Records management and retention; electronic compliance tracking systems; customer service and conflict resolution; and safe field, vehicle, and work-zone practices. Skill to: Conduct systematic inspections; recognize, classify, photograph, and document actual or potential cross-connections, illegal lead materials, and health and non-health hazards. Evaluate site conditions and determine appropriate backflow prevention methods or assemblies based on the degree of hazard, hydraulic conditions, and applicable requirements. Review and interpret plumbing plans, permits, inspection certificates, test and maintenance reports, tester licenses, gauge accuracy records, and related technical documents. Use computers, mobile devices, databases, geographic information systems, document-management systems, and related software; operate a motor vehicle safely. Communicate technical findings, requirements, deadlines, and corrective actions clearly and professionally, and perform or interpret approved lead-material verification methods. Safely operate a motor vehicle. Ability to: Work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage scheduled and unscheduled inspections, recurring test cycles, follow-up actions, and multiple compliance deadlines. Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, and explain regulatory requirements to customers with varied technical knowledge. Identify and monitor irrigation systems and other regulated or high-risk service connections within the City of Abilene drinking water system. Determine when backflow protection is required and verify that the correct assembly or device is installed, accessible, maintained, and tested within required intervals. Analyze inspection and testing records, identify trends or discrepancies, prepare reports, and maintain records suitable for regulatory review. Ability to travel throughout the City's water service area and access inspection locations with limited clearance, uneven terrain, or other field conditions. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally. Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do. Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect. Experience and Training Guidelines: For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through: Experience: Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in cross-connection control, customer service inspections, public water system operations, plumbing or building inspection, backflow testing, environmental compliance, or a closely related field is preferred. Education/Training: A high school diploma or GED is required. College coursework or technical training in water/wastewater operations, environmental science, plumbing, construction inspection, public health, or a related field is preferred. License or Certificate: Possession of a valid Texas driver's license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required. Possession of a current TCEQ Customer Service Inspector (CSI) license at the time of appointment, or the ability to obtain one within twelve (12) months of employment, is required. Possession of a current TCEQ Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT) license at the time of appointment, or the ability to obtain one within twelve (12) months of employment, is required. Possession of a TCEQ Class C Water Distribution license is preferred. Special Requirements: Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment: Bloodborne Pathogens and Hazard Communication training are required within sixty (60) days of employment. Additional field-safety training must be completed as assigned. All required licenses and certifications must be maintained in good standing, including completion of applicable continuing education and renewal requirements. Work is performed in office and field environments, including occupied businesses, construction sites, mechanical rooms, irrigation sites, meter locations, and other indoor or outdoor areas. Exposure may include extreme temperatures, noise, vibration, traffic, uneven or wet surfaces, insects or animals, chemicals, pressurized equipment, unsanitary conditions, and electrical or mechanical hazards. With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday: ___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds ___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds ___ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds _X_ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds ___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds Physical Demand Codes: The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task: Codes for how often: N = No E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time) M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time) I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time) A = Almost Never (<10% of the time) E Standing M Sitting E Walking I Lifting I Carrying I Pushing/Pulling I Overhead Work E Fine Dexterity M Kneeling M Crouching I Crawling M Bending I Twisting I Climbing I Balancing E Vision M Hearing M Talking Other: