Cross Connection Control Assistant

Cross-Connection Control Assistant

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 is seeking a detail-oriented, customer-focused Cross-Connection Control Assistant to support our commitment to maintaining a safe, reliable drinking water system. In this role, you'll perform a variety of technical field and customer service duties that help protect our community's water qualityincluding conducting water use surveys, supporting cross-connection inspections, and assisting customers with backflow prevention requirements.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys a mix of fieldwork and office work, values accuracy, and can build positive relationships with residents, businesses, and contractorseven in challenging or high-pressure situations. Working under general supervision, you'll apply your knowledge of water systems, inspection practices, and public service to ensure compliance with state and city regulations.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree in physical/natural sciences with courses on public/business administration or a high school diploma supplemented with the completion of a two-year technical course in water distribution repair or maintenance, water/wastewater technology, cross-connection control, or a related field. Two (2) years of increasingly responsible program management, inspection, and/or customer service support experience, along with at least one (1) year of experience in conducting water use surveys and cross-connection inspections, are required. Cross-Connection Control Specialist Certification is 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.

The selection process for this position will include at least one panel interview and a short writing exercise that will take place at the time of the first interview.

This position is open until filled.

$6,902.00- $8,417.00 per month, depending on experience

For a listing of benefits, please use the following link: Employee Benefits | City of Kent (kentwa.gov)

Under the direction of the Environmental Supervisor, or designee, perform a variety of technical and customer service duties in support of the City of Kent Cross-Connection Control Program, and temporary support of the construction management, solid waste, and natural resources programs.

Work is characterized by performing independent, routine, and sometimes specialized, technical and customer service duties associated with water use surveys, 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, policies, and procedures for Cross-Connection Control program; perform and be responsible for water use surveys and less complex field inspections and enforcement to assist the Cross-connection Control Inspector(s); 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 the incumbent with unusual situations. The incumbent plans and carries out assignments and handles problems and deviations in accordance with instructions, policies, procedures, and/or accepted practices. Work is evaluated for technical soundness and conformity to practice and policy.

Assist the Cross-Connection Control Inspector in implementing and maintaining the Cross-Connection Control program and databases to track and inspect cross-connections within the City water franchise areas.

Perform site Water Use Surveys with property managers, property owners, business owners, and facility maintenance personnel and send out related correspondence and notifications. Track Water Use Surveys and inspections.

Investigate water quality concerns where backflow is suspected, and where backflow assembly is required.

Inspect facilities and other premises to identify potential or actual cross-connections, and work with customers in a positive manner, taking corrective action to protect the drinking water system from possible contamination.

Review engineering as-builts in order to locate backflows and ensure cross-connection compliance and standards are met.

Maintain and update a list of acceptable backflow assembly testers to verify that the testers have proper certifications and properly calibrated test kits.

Notify customers of annual backflow testing schedule and requirements.

Maintain schedules for testing and/or replacement of obsolete or non-compliant backflow assemblies.

Resolve or research answers to customer questions or complaints regarding backflow assemblies, inspections, testing, and testers.

Communicate with the public as necessary; schedule inspections; investigate and resolve complaints; communicate with City departments and personnel and outside agencies to coordinate efforts and exchange information.

Perform field location inspections for deficiencies or correctness of installed backflow preventers and keep current records of those locations.

Prepare and maintain a variety of reports, correspondence, records, and files related to area of assignment; interpret and enter data into the computer system.

Respond to Public Records Requests.

Assist the Cross-Connection Control Inspector(s) in preparing annual reports to the Washington State Department of Health and other reports as may be required regarding the progress of the City's Cross-Connection Control program.

Coordinate with Finance department to update the current backflow inventory for billing purposes and ensure all backflow prevention assemblies are recorded for collection of applicable fees.

Assist the Natural Resources and Solid Waste program staff with performing field inspections or surveys or organizing and implementing community events related to these program areas.

Assist the Construction Inspector(s) in Public Works with their duties related to cross-connection control on public and private development projects.

Actively support the vision, mission, values, and goals of the department and the City.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Successful incumbents for this position will have the:

• Knowledge of Cross-Connection Control Program operations, regulations, services, and activities
• City codes, WAC 246-290-490 (as amended), and other applicable regulations related to construction inspection of backflow assembly installations
• City water utilities
• Water Use Surveys
• Cross-Connection Control Inspections procedures and practices
• Proper Public Works inspection methods
• City organization, operations, policies/codes, and objectives
• Applicable health and safety regulations
• Excellent oral and written communication
• Recordkeeping techniques
• Basic program management research methods and practices and mathematical principles
• City and State codes and other applicable regulations regarding backflow assemblies and backflow protection
• Backflow assembly testing procedures and various types of backflow preventers and their installation and correct application.
• Policies and procedures related to Private Stormwater Inspection.
• Computer software being used to manage the program
• Research and analytical methods, practices, and procedures

Be skilled in :

• Cross-Connection Control Programs and correct inspection procedures
• Effective oral and written communication
• Inspecting facilities and other premises to identify actual or potential cross-connections, and working with customers in a positive manner, on taking corrective action to protect the drinking water system from possible contamination.
• Using tact, patience, and courtesy in communicating with customers and in obtaining compliance from property owners faced with very costly or disruptive implementation of required corrective measures.
• Composing, assembling, and editing correspondence, diverse data, letters, memoranda, reports, etc.
• Using proper telephone techniques and etiquette to properly assist a diverse assortment of inquiries and persons
• Applying modern office practices, procedures and proficient use of equipment or hand-held devices including computers and related software such as data base programs, word processing and spreadsheet programs to assigned tasks
• Maintaining interrelated files and records, and preparing reports
• Understanding and following oral and written directions
• Interpreting laboratory analysis/data
• Effectively planning, organizing and prioritizing work to meet schedules and timelines

Have the ability to :

• Perform technical, clerical, customer service, and program management duties to assist the Cross-Connection Control and Construction Inspector(s)
• Understand plumbing, backflow assembly testing procedures, and installation practices
• Understand backflow test data, public water system, industry regulations and city codes, and accurate distribution system information from the facility.
• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with others
• Plan and organize work to meet schedules and timelines
• Analyze situations accurately