Cross Connection Specialist

Position Description

RECRUITMENT OVERVIEW

Thank you for your interest in our Cross Connection Specialist position. We look forward to the opportunity to consider you as an applicant.

This position includes overseeing backflow device inspections, testing, repairs, new installations, and managing program data. A key part of the role involves investigating customer compliance with state and federal regulations and conducting detailed field tests, inspections, and surveys to spot potential backflow and cross-connection issues.

The Cross Connection Control Specialist will play a crucial role in protecting the integrity and quality of our municipal water supply. Ideal candidates will have substantial experience and knowledge of effective backflow prevention and cross-connection control principles and practices. They must strongly commit to safeguarding vital water resources through diligent monitoring and enforcement.

Our ideal candidate is a highly technical and proactive specialist who will serve as the City’s primary guardian of water quality. They aren’t just a technician; they are a program lead responsible for identifying potential hazards before they reach the tap. They possess the perfect blend of field expertise—getting their hands dirty with backflow repairs—and the administrative precision necessary to ensure the City remains in lockstep with California compliance standards.

Tulare is a full-service Charter City with approximately 400 full-time employees. The City of Tulare is a supportive organization where people take pride in their work and i the community they serve. Tulare is a place where people can grow professionally, a place that values innovation and a place where people can make a positive and lasting change in the community.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To be considered for this position qualified applicants must submit an application with detailed information in each section of the application: Education, Work History, Certificates and Licenses, and Skills.

In addition to submitting a detailed application, applicants are required to respond to the supplemental questions associated with the application and attach the required certificates. Responses to the supplemental questions will be used to evaluate applicants' qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities. Resumes may be attached but will not be accepted in lieu of a complete, detailed application.

This recruitment will fill one immediate vacancy and establish an eligibility list to fill future vacancies for a period of up to six months.

POSITION OVERVIEW

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 California compliance standards, and the City’s ordinances and standards to ensure a safe drinking water supply; performs inspections and determines the need for installation of approved backflow prevention assemblies at water connections based on level of hazard present; assesses the risk of cross-connection contamination for all of the City’s water services; facilitates the City’s hydrant meter rental program; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Water Utility Manager. May exercise technical and functional direction and training over assigned staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This 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 Utility 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 operations. This class is further distinguished from the Water 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 Functions

Management 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.
• Plans, directs, trains, and participates in work assignments and inspections in support of the City’s backflow prevention and cross-connection control programs.
• 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 assessments, 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.
• 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; ensures backflow prevention assemblies go with corresponding water meters.
• 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.
• Tests, troubleshoots, and repairs faulty backflow assemblies to American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards.
• Communicates with customers regarding cross-connection control program and backflow assembly testing, including installation and maintenance requirements, warnings, and final notices.
• Investigates and documents water ordinance violations; authorizes discontinuance of water service to any premise violating local or state cross-connection control regulations.
• 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.
• Monitors the City’s hydrants for unauthorized use.
• 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 / Requirements

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.
• Testing, calibration, maintenance and repair of testing equipment used in the installation, repair, and testing of backflow assemblies.
• 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 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 Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must 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 PERS members beginning January 1, 2013 with three (3) years final compensation. Existing PERS members with no break in service will receive the 2.5% at 55 formula 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 - IRS Section 125 Plan.
• Deferred compensation plan - 457 Plans available.
• City sponsored employee health care clinic - Services include: general medical care and health and wellness coaching. No deductibles, co-pays, or out-of-pocket expenses.

Closing Date/Time: 2/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Tulare

• 559-684-4204

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