Cross-Connection Control Inspector at City of Kent, Washington

Centennial, Wyoming, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

14 Mar, 26

Salary

8818.0

Posted On

14 Dec, 25

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Cross-Connection Control, Backflow Inspection, Customer Service, Technical Knowledge, Water Distribution, Program Management, Interpersonal Skills, Field Inspections, Recordkeeping, Regulatory Compliance, Problem Solving, Communication, Analytical Skills, Construction Plans Review, Public Relations, Safety Regulations

Industry

Government Administration

Description

Come work at a place where you have a direct impact on the quality of life for Kent residents, business owners and visitors alike! The City of Kent Public Works Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Cross-Connection Control Inspector. The Cross-Connection Control Inspector will be responsible for technical and customer service duties associated with backflow location inspections, reviewing permit and construction plan/drawings, and other duties requiring substantial interpersonal contact, so the ability to work cooperatively with others is essential. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in physical/natural sciences with courses on water use survey or water distribution, OR a High School diploma supplemented by two (2) years of vocational training or trades school in water distribution repair or maintenance, cross-connection control, or a related field. Two (2) years of increasingly responsible work in program management, inspection, and/or customer service support are also required. This is a full-time, benefited position that is not represented by a union. All City of Kent employees and external candidates are eligible to apply at this time. **Please note that you must attach your cover letter and resume to your application in order for your application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position. If you experience technical difficulties, please contact our office Monday-Friday, between 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you.** The selection process for this position will include two panel interviews and a short writing exercise that will take place at the time of the first interview. Applications will be accepted through December 15th. SALARY: $7,250.00- $8,818.00 per month (2025 rates), depending on experience For a listing of benefits, please use the following link: Employee Benefits | City of Kent (kentwa.gov) GENERAL PURPOSE: Under the direction of the Environmental Supervisor, or designee, perform inspections of existing public and private water systems within the City and franchise areas to protect these water systems from contamination via cross-connection; and oversee a cross-connection control program required by Washington State Administrative Code 246-290-490 as amended. Work is characterized by performing independent, routine, and sometimes specialized, technical and customer service duties associated with backflow location inspections, and other responsibilities requiring substantial interpersonal contact. The incumbent is required to use independent judgment in applying a thorough knowledge of rules, regulations, codes, policies, and procedures for Cross-Connection Control program; perform and be responsible for complex field inspections and code enforcement to implement the Cross-connection Control Program; and maintain inspection files and records. The incumbent is also required to exercise a considerable amount of tact, patience, and courtesy in dealing with the City’s personnel and external customers as he/she may be subject to highly agitated or stressful communication from irate or disgruntled customers, contractors, and Backflow Assembly Testers. Work is performed under general supervision. The supervisor defines objectives, priorities, and deadlines; and assists employees with unusual situations, which may not have clear objectives or precedents. The employee plans and carries out assignments and handles problems and deviations in accordance with instructions, policies, city codes, procedures, and/or accepted practices. Work is evaluated for technical soundness and conformity to practice and policy. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Implement and maintain a computerized cross-connection control program and database to track and inspect all existing cross-connections within the City and franchise areas. Investigate drinking water quality concerns where backflow is suspected, and backflow assembly is required. Evaluate existing service connections for backflow hazards, schedule inspections, and perform inspections of those hazards. Perform field location inspections for deficiencies or correctness of installed backflow preventers and keep current records of those locations. Inspect existing assemblies to assure compliance with current codes and ordinances. Review engineering as-builts in order to locate backflows and ensure cross-connection compliance and standards are met. Coordinate with Permit Center and Development Engineering on reviews of permits and engineering plans. Inspect installations of existing cross-connection control backflow assemblies on public and private development projects in coordination with other City inspectors, contractors, and property owners. Keep current records of all backflow preventer testing, air gaps installed in-lieu of compliant backflow preventers, test kit calibration, and tester certification of all backflow assembly testers performing tests within the City of Kent. Coordinate with Building Services on issues concerning cross-connection control and backflow assemblies within buildings to assure compliance with codes. Prepare an annual report to the Washington State Department of Health on the progress of the City’s Cross-Connection Control Program implementation. Coordinate with Design Engineering on updates to Kent Construction and Design Standards pertaining to cross-connection program. Design and gather educational materials for City of Kent residences, business owners, and employees on Cross-Connection Control and backflow prevention. Communicate with the public as necessary; investigate and resolve complaints; communicate with City departments, personnel, and outside agencies to coordinate efforts and exchange information. Actively support the vision, mission, values, and goals of the department and the City. PERIPHERAL DUTIES: Perform related duties as assigned. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: KNOWLEDGE OF: Knowledge of Cross-Connection Control Program City codes, WAC 246-290-490 (as amended), and other applicable regulations related to construction inspection of backflow assembly installations Technical aspects of field of specialty City water utilities Proper Public Works inspection methods City organization, operations, policies, and objectives Applicable health and safety regulations Methods, procedures, and materials used in construction of water systems Backflow Assembly Testing procedures Computer software programs including, but not limited to, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, Visio, Hansen, ArcView, KIVA, and Adobe Acrobat Recordkeeping techniques Research and analytical methods, practices, and procedures SKILLED IN: Using interpersonal relations in a tactful, patient, and courteous manner Effective oral and written communications Establishing and maintaining cooperative and effective working relationships with others Correctly using English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary as it pertains to the job Maintaining accurate records and preparing routine reports and correspondence Effectively planning and organizing work Remaining professional when dealing with hostile and/or irate contractors, owners, and citizens Anticipating problems in advance of their occurrence and eliminating them where possible ABILITY TO: Oversee an effective cross-connection control program Inspect, identify, and report defects/deficiencies in public and private water systems and corrections necessary to assure conformance to established standards as related to cross-connection control and water systems Research, review, and understand public and private water systems for inspections Work from construction plans, site drawings, sketches, and electronic files Understand backflow assembly testing procedures and installation practices Perform moderate physical labor including, but not limited to, climbing down manholes, inspecting pipes, climbing water tanks, walking on irregular terrain, lifting off manhole lids, etc. Read, interpret, and apply laws, codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures Interpret laboratory analysis Read and interpret construction drawings, plans, and specifications Communicate effectively both orally and in writing Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action Apply common sense understanding to interpret and carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, sketch, or schedule form Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists Plan, organize, and prioritize work assignments to meet schedules and timelines Work independently with minimal direct supervision Operate a personal computer and related software Maintain records and prepare reports Observe legal and defensive driving practices Work effectively on multiple projects concurrently Effectively present information in one-on-one situations to the supervisor and/or other employees of the City and to respond to inquiries from property owners or the public Add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference and volume; apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry SKILLS FOR THE POSITION MAY BE GAINED THROUGH EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE OR A COMBINATION, SUCH AS: Education: Bachelor’s degree in physical/natural sciences with courses on water use survey or water distribution, OR a High School diploma supplemented by two (2) years of vocational training or trades school in water distribution repair or maintenance, cross-connection control, or related field; and Experience: Two (2) years of increasingly responsible operation of water systems and/or water distribution systems, and/or cross-connection control survey/inspection. LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Valid Washington State driver's license, or the ability to obtain within thirty (30) days of employment Backflow Assembly Tester Certification (BAT), and/or Cross Connection Control Specialist Certification, and/or Water Distribution Certificate, or able to obtain either one or all of these certifications within six (6) months of employment Confined space entry certification or able to obtain this certification within six (6) months of employment Valid First Aid/CPR card, or the ability to obtain within thirty (30) days of employment Must successfully pass the City's position-specific background inquiry, driver's records check; and maintain an excellent driving record MACHINES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT USED: Typical business office machinery and equipment including, but not limited to, personal computer and related software, telephone, cellular phone, fax machine, copy machine, and calculator. The incumbent is also required to operate a City vehicle to travel to and from inspection sites. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle or feel; and talk and hear normally with or without mechanical assistance. The incumbent is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. Depending on project needs, the incumbent is required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The incumbent is frequently required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 100 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus. WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed in an indoor/outdoor field environment and in an indoor office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and high, precarious places. The employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, outside weather conditions, and risk of electrical shock. The employee is occasionally exposed to vibration. The incumbent is subject to driving from site to site; and may be exposed to individuals who are irate or hostile. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in the office and loud in the field. The City of Kent is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Centrally located in the scenic Green River Valley, the City of Kent is a vibrant and culturally diverse community that offers an exceptional quality of life. With a population of 132,000 residents coming together from every corner of the world, Kent is the fifth most diverse city in the country, with an impressive 138 different languages spoken. As the sixth-largest city in Washington and the fourth-largest in King County, Kent is a rapidly growing community that strikes the perfect balance between urban amenities and natural beauty. Our captivating neighborhoods, nationally recognized parks, award-winning schools, and impressive economic growth make Kent a highly sought-after destination. At the City of Kent, we are driven by a mission to build a safe, thriving, sustainable, and inclusive community. Public service is an important calling, and our staff often share the great sense of reward they feel in the work they do each day. By choosing this path of service, we are certain you will find your own life enriched. The City of Kent offers highly competitive compensation and benefits packages, along with an inviting and supportive work culture. We value our employees and strive to create an environment that fosters growth, collaboration, and work-life balance. If you're passionate about making a difference and serving your community, we invite you to explore our current job postings. Subscribe to receive updates on future opportunities and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with the City of Kent.

Responsibilities

The Cross-Connection Control Inspector will perform inspections of public and private water systems to prevent contamination and oversee the cross-connection control program. Responsibilities include conducting backflow inspections, maintaining records, and coordinating with various city departments.