CROSS CONNECTION TECHNICIAN I
CROSS CONNECTION TECHNICIAN II

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under supervision (Cross Connection Technician I) or general supervision (Cross Connection Technician II), performs a variety of semi-skilled and technical work in support of the City’s cross connection control, backflow prevention, metering, hydrant repair, and recycled water programs; participates in the implementation and enforcement of cross connection control of potable water systems; investigates and inspects backflow devices for compliance with regulations; tests and repairs City-owned backflow devices; tests, repairs, and calibrates water meters; and maintains a variety of records, files, and related documents.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Cross Connection Technician I: This is the entry-level class in the Cross Connection Technician series. This class is distinguished from the Cross Connection Technician II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series. Assignments are generally limited in scope, contain fairly routine tasks, and are performed within a procedural framework established by higher-level employees. Positions at this level are primarily responsible for maintaining records for backflow devices throughout the City, testing and repairing City-owned backflow devices, and testing, repairing, and calibrating water meters. Employees at the "I" level are expected to learn the full scope of duties and, once fully proficient, are expected to learn duties associated with the cross connection control program. As experience is acquired, incumbents perform with less immediate supervision and continue to learn the full scope of duties and responsibilities. Advancement to the "II" level is based on demonstrated proficiency in performing the assigned functions, possession of required licenses and certifications, completing the progression criteria established by the Department, and upon review and approval of the department head.

Cross Connection Technician II: This is the full journey-level class in the Cross Connection Technician series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Cross Connection Technician I by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by progression from the Cross Connection Technician I level when experience and required licenses and certifications are obtained and progression criteria met, or when filled from the outside, require prior directly related experience and possession of required licenses and certifications.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Participates in the implementation and enforcement of cross connection control of potable water systems; identifies and prioritizes where potential cross connections may exist; identifies plumbing changes needed to protect the water system from potential cross connections.
• Participates in the implementation of water use sites where backflow devices are necessary; notifies and advises customers of devices required; follows-up to ensure that the appropriate devices have been installed.
• May assist with annual inspections and designs cross connection tests of recycled water use sites; maintains records of inspections performed and devices installed.
• Consults with, advises, and responds to inquiries from customers, agency officials, and City staff concerning the rules, regulations and potential consequences regarding the cross connection control of potable water systems.
• May assist with responding to inquiries from customers, agency officials, and City staff concerning the rules and regulations regarding the cross-connection control of recycled water systems.
• Tests, repairs, and maintains City-owned backflow prevention devices; monitors annual testing of installed devices.
• Inspects, tests, calibrates, and repairs all types and sizes of water meters in the shop and/or in the field; maintains records of meter tests and repairs.
• Repairs fire hydrants; flushes fire hydrants; performs flow and pressure tests of fire hydrants.
• Maintains inventory and assists with ordering replacement parts for meters, hydrants, and backflow prevention devices; maintains inventory of temporary fire hydrant meters.
• Sets, pulls, and reads temporary meters.
• Provides courteous customer service; responds to customer requests for service including water pressure service requests; schedules customer meter tests; performs calibration tests on customer complaint meters; performs flow and pressure tests in the field; performs water audits for customer water usage.
• Assists in pressure shut down tests for reclaimed water as necessary.
• Maintains a variety of records, files, and related documents including records of inspections performed and devices installed; maintains records for all backflow devices throughout the City to comply with federal, state, county, and local health authorities requirements; maintains computerized records of cross-connection annual inspection due dates; maintains records of approved backflow testers.
• Prepares correspondence and summary reports.
• Performs work in confined spaces for meter testing; performs necessary precautions prior to entering vaults and other confined spaces with potential hazardous atmospheres; use air quality monitors and ventilators.
• May provide assistance and training to new employees in meters, hydrants, and backflow rebuilding.
• May perform customer shut-off for non-payment and Title 17 non-compliance.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of water metering; types and sizes of meters utilized in various installations.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations including state and City recycled water and cross-connection control regulations.
• Residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing practices and codes.
• Principles of hydraulics in pipes and potential causes of backflow.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Materials, methods, techniques, and terminology used the implementation and enforcement of cross connection control of potable water systems.
• Operational characteristics of equipment and tools used in work activities.
• Basic mathematical principles.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices associated with area of work assignment including those associated with working in confined spaces.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers.
• Principles and practices of record keeping and basic report preparation.

Ability to:

• Enforce local and state cross connection control regulations and rules through investigation and identification of non-compliance and seek resolutions.
• Exercise initiative and judgment relative to enforcement activities.
• Test and repair meters, hydrants, and backflow prevention devices.
• Read irrigation and improvement plans; interpret blueprints and building plans.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of records including computerized records; prepare accurate and complete reports.
• Interpret and apply policies, procedures, and standards to specific situations.
• Perform mathematical calculations.
• Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Work independently and efficiently to carry out assignments.
• Read water meters and record information.
• Respond to customer service requests including customer low-pressure and no water complaints.
• Operate and use modern office equipment including computers and supporting applications.
• Adapt to changing technologies and learn functionality of new equipment and systems.
• Safely drive and skillfully operate equipment and machinery including backflow testing equipment,
• meter testing equipment, fire hydrant flow testing equipment, and service truck.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Cross Connection Technician I/II

Education/Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training/coursework in water distribution, hydraulics, and cross connection control.

Cross Connection Technician I

Experience: One year of experience in waterworks maintenance including some experience in the operation, testing, and maintenance of meters and backflow devices or other water utility mechanical maintenance.

License or Certificate: Possession of a valid Class C driver’s license. Possession of a valid Grade 2 Water Distribution Operator certificate. Possession of a Backflow Prevention Assembly General Tester certificate. Possession of a Cross Connection Control Program Specialist certificate is desirable.

Cross Connection Technician II

Education/Training: Completion of progression criteria established by Department.

Experience: Two years of responsible experience performing duties comparable to a Cross Connection Technician I in the City of Escondido or comparable waterworks maintenance experience including experience in the operation, testing, and maintenance of meters and backflow devices.

License or Certificate: Possession of a valid Class C driver’s license. Possession of a valid Grade 2 Water Distribution Operator certificate. Possession of Backflow Prevention Assembly General Tester certificate. Possession of a Cross Connection Control Program Specialist certificate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Field setting with travel from site to site. Exposure to extreme noise of jackhammers and other equipment; mechanical and electrical hazards of equipment and underground-overhead utilities; fumes and odors of vaults, paint, and diesel; dust from excavations and blasting; toxic substances such as glue, dry chlorine, and PVC; all types of weather and temperature conditions. Work and/or walk for long periods of time on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain. Work schedule is 9/80; subject to 24-hour emergency call back and may require working standby duties, overtime, varying hours, weekends and holidays. Work environment is informal, team-oriented, having both routine and variable tasks with variable pace and pressure. Work is performed in both indoors in office and shop area and outdoors in streets, data sites, reservoirs, and vaults.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in a field setting and operate assigned equipment. CONTINUOUS strong grasp of hand and power tools, pushing/pulling; FREQUENT walking, standing, bending, and stooping, lifting of objects weighing up to 10 lbs. below and at waist level and transporting for distances up to one city block; OCCASIONAL sitting, squatting, climbing, reaching above and at shoulder level, kneeling, pushing/pulling, twisting at waist, upward and downward flexion of neck, side-to-side turning of neck, lifting of objects weighting up to 10 lbs. from chest to above shoulder level; lifting of objects weighing from 10-100 lbs. from below waist to shoulder level with or without assistance and transporting for distances from 10-100 feet; lifting of objects weighing over 100 lbs. below and at waist level with assistance; light-moderate finger grasp of writing materials, steering wheel, moderate foot pressure to operate foot pedals; INFREQUENT crawling, balancing above ground, lifting of objects weighing 51-100 lbs. above shoulder level with or without assistance and transporting for distance of 10-100 feet; light grasp and finger pressure to operate hand-held meter reading equipment.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens, printed documents, meter-reading equipment, dials and gauges, and to operate vehicles and equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Date: January 2008
Revised by MH/Department

Date: October 2004
Johnson & Associates