Position DescriptionDEFINITION Under general supervision, performs a variety of work in support of the city’s cross-connection inspection and backflow prevention control program; leads, implements, and administers the cross-connection control program in accordance with Title 17 & Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, and the City’s ordinances and standards to ensure a safe drinking water supply; facilitates the City’s hydrant meter rental program; and preforms related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives general supervision from the Water & Wastewater Collections Utility Manager. May exercise technical and functional direction and training over assigned staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICSThis is a single position class that is responsible for providing day-to-day maintenance of the City’s cross-connection control program. Responsibilities include surveying, monitoring, and inspecting City, industrial, commercial, institutional, and other consumer facilities to detect violations of State Health Codes and local ordinances pertaining to back siphonage and cross-connection in the water system. This class is distinguished from the Water Treatment Supervisor in that the latter is the full supervisory-level class in the series responsible for organizing, assigning, supervising, and reviewing the work of assigned staff involved in water treatment operations. This class is further distinguished from the Water & Wastewater Collections Utility Manager in that the latter has management responsibility for all water utility operations and maintenance functions and activities of the City.
Examples of Essential FunctionsManagement reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Receives, investigates, reviews, trouble-shoots and responds to complaints on backflow prevention devices and other relevant issues related to the operation and maintenance of the City’s water distribution system; resolves complaints in a timely and efficient manner.
- Surveys, monitors, and inspects City, industrial, commercial, institutional, and other consumer facilities to detect violations of State Health Codes and local ordinances pertaining to back siphonage and cross-connection in the water system.
- Conducts cross-connection surveys and inspections of water user premises to identify where cross-connections are likely to occur and determine degree of hazard; ensure conformance with federal, state, and local cross-connection regulations.
- Installs, tests, inspects, maintains, repairs, and certifies backflow prevention devices within the City’s distribution system; ensures backflow devices are properly installed to protect against backflow, back-siphonage, and back pressure; ensures compliance with all regulations.
- Operates and maintains chlorination equipment including leak detection, changing tanks, and adjusting feed rate in accordance with water test results.
- Collects water samples; tests water for chlorine content; transports samples to the City lab.
- Installs, inspects, repairs, maintains, calibrates, tests, and troubleshoots a wide variety of pneumatic and electronic recording, indicating, measuring, controlling, and test instruments including pressure regulators and gauges and chemical feeding equipment.
- Ensures that unprotected connections between the City’s water system and sources of unsafe drinking water are not installed; evaluates cross-connection hazards and recommends corrective action, including proper backflow prevention devices to be installed.
- Locates, inspects, and tests existing backflow prevention assemblies and related water meters in the field.
- Repairs and installs backflow prevention assemblies and related water meters.
- Tests new backflow assembly installations; maintains inventory of backflow prevention and cross-connection parts and fittings; assists in maintaining a parts inventory and orders parts as necessary.
- Maintains accurate service records of tests and repairs of backflow prevention assemblies and water meters and makes periodic and special reports on work performs.
- Updates cross-connections ordinance and standards as needed to ensure governmental compliance related to backflow devices.
- Maintains and repairs hydrant meters and City backflow assemblies; installs and relocates hydrant meters; tests backflow assemblies for hydrant meter program.
- Obtains monthly hydrant meter readings, and inputs readings into handheld device for monthly consumption billings.
- Installs and inspects hydrant meters for contractors and developers of new development projects.
- Maintain a variety of computerized records on backflow prevention device locations, testing, repairs, and installation.
- Conducts initial testing of backflow prevention devices when installed; maintains schedules for testing and/or replacement of obsolete or inefficient backflow prevention devices.
- Responds to inquiries from contractors, architects, engineers, and the general public concerning city ordinances and standards regarding the cross-connection and backflow prevention control program; provides information within the area of assignment.
- Prepares and maintains a variety of reports, correspondence, records, and files related to area of assignment; enters data into computer system.
- Calibrates equipment and instruments on a routine schedule and after repairs; makes unscheduled or emergency repairs as required.
- Operates and maintains a variety of vehicles, hand and power tools, and equipment.
- Reads and interprets maps, blueprints, sketches, and diagrams in the performance of the work.
- Responds to operations, maintenance, and repair emergency situations as required.
- Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Qualifications / RequirementsQUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of: - Applicable Federal, State and local laws, ordinances, regulations, and guidelines relevant to recycled water and cross-connection control regulations.
- Operations, services, and activities of a cross-connection control program.
- Principles, practices, and techniques of cross-connections.
- Principles of hydraulics as it relates to water distribution, backflow prevention and cross-connection control, metering, and fire hydrant operations.
- Materials, methods, techniques, and terminology used in the implementation and enforcement of cross-connection control of potable and recycled water systems.
- Principles, procedures, methods, equipment, materials, and tools used in the electrical and mechanical repair of minor and major equipment systems, including pumps, motors, generators, and pressure regulatory devices.
- Principles, practices, and methods related to the maintenance and repair of various data acquisition and control instrumentation.
- The operation and minor maintenance of a variety of hand and power tools, vehicles, and power equipment.
- Principles of water metering; types and sizes of meters utilized in various installations.
- Basic traffic control procedures and traffic sign regulations.
- Use, testing, and operation of backflow prevention devices.
- Safety equipment and practices related to the work.
- Basic mathematical principles.
- Safe driving rules and practices.
- Basic computer software related to work.
- English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
- Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
Ability to: - Lead, implement, and administer a cross-connection program in accordance with Title 17 & Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, and the City’s ordinances and standards.
- Interpret, apply, and explain City ordinances and standards related to cross-connection, backflow, hydrant, commercial meters, and billing activities.
- Enforce local and state cross-connection control and recycled water regulations and rules through investigation and identification of non-compliance and seek resolutions.
- Inspect, diagnose problems, and troubleshoot a variety of water systems and wastewater pre-treatment devices.
- Conduct flow rate and pressure tests and report findings.
- Maintain accurate logs, records and basic written records of work performed.
- Troubleshoot maintenance problems and determine materials and supplies required for repair.
- Read and interpret gauges and other recording devices and interpret the information as it relates to repair and maintenance activities.
- Perform a variety of semiskilled and skilled tasks in the construction, maintenance, renovation, and repair of water distribution and treatment systems.
- Safely and effectively use and operate hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and equipment required for the work.
- Read and interpret plans, manuals, diagrams, blueprints, and technical regulations.
- Perform routine equipment maintenance.
- Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
- Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.
- Operate a motor vehicle safely.
- Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work
Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade and three (3) years responsible experience in water distribution system operations and maintenance with a public water system agency.
Licenses and Certifications:- Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license.
- Possession of a Grade II Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the State of California Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Drinking Water
- Possession of a valid Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certificate, issued by the American Water Works Association or the American Backflow Prevention Association.
- Possession of a Cross-Connection Control Program Specialist Certificate issued by the American Water Works Association or the American Backflow Prevention Association.
Additional InformationPHYSICAL DEMANDSMust possess mobility to work in the field; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confined spaces, around machines, and to climb and descend ladders, and to operate varied hand and power tools and construction equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 75 pounds and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.
Environmental Elements Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical, and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives, and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
- Members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). In accordance with the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), the City of Tulare will offer the following retirement benefit (2.0% at 62)to new PERSmembers beginning January 1, 2013 with three (3) years final compensation. Existing PERSmembers with no break in service will receive the 2.5% at 55formula with single highest year.
- City pays a portion of the employee and dependent coverage costs of group medical, dental and vision insurance. An opt-out plan is also available.
- Life insurance -$20,000 coverage.
- 10 working days vacation per year. Additional days based on years of service.
- 12 days sick leave per year.
- 15 holidays annually: 12 city observed holidays, plus birthday credit and 2 in-lieu holidays.
- Flexible benefit program - IRSSection 125 Plan.
- Deferred compensation plan - 457 Plans available.
Closing Date/Time: 8/4/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
