SENIOR CROSS CONNECTION TECHNICIAN

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 direction, leads, oversees, and participates in the more complex and difficult work of staff responsible for performing 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; oversees and participates in the implementation and enforcement of cross connection control of potable water systems; leads and participates in the investigation and inspection of backflow devices for compliance with regulations, the testing and repair of City-owned backflow devices, and the testing, repairing, and calibration of water meters; oversees and participates in maintaining a variety of records, files, and related documents; and performs a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey level class in the Cross Connection Technician series with primary responsibility for the cross connection control program including cross connection testing of recycled water use sites. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series and serve as lead worker for an assigned group of employees. Employees at this level may be assigned specialized functions and are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

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.

• Leads, plans, trains, and reviews the work of staff responsible for performing a full range of semi­skilled and technical work in support of the City’s cross connection control, backflow prevention, metering, hydrant repair, and recycled water programs; ensures the timely and accurate completion of work activities.
• Estimates time, materials, and equipment required for jobs assigned; requisitions necessary tools, equipment, materials, and supplies as required; oversees the maintenance of the parts inventory; orders necessary parts.
• Trains assigned employees in their areas of work including related methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Verifies the work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications; ensures adherence to safe work practices and procedures; supervises the use, care, and operation of equipment; ensures adherence to best management practices; ensures cleanliness of work area and tools.
• Oversees the implementation and enforcement of cross connection control of potable and recycled water systems; identifies and implements plumbing changes needed to protect the water system from potential cross connection.
• Conducts annual inspections and cross connection tests of recycled water use sites; maintains documentation and records of inspections performed and cross-connection tests performed; prepares written reports; submits required documentation to health departments.
• Assists in duties related to the preparation of the Recycled Water Atlas; performs field checks and submits corrections and/or additions.
• Performs a variety of tasks related to the operation of the recycled water distribution system.
• Identifies 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.
• Maintains liaison with other agencies, contractors, and the public regarding recycled water and cross connection control programs; works closely with various health agencies.
• 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 and recycled water systems.
• Installs, 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.
• Installs, tests, repairs, and maintains City-owned backflow prevention devices; performs initial test of new installations; performs spot checks of privately owned devices; maintains records of backflow tests.
• Installs and tests temporary meter/backflow devices; maintains records of installations and tests.
• Repairs fire hydrants; flushes fire hydrants; performs flow and pressure tests of fire hydrants.
• Oversees and participates in maintaining the parts 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 flow and/or pressure service requests; schedules customer meter tests; performs flow and pressure tests in the field.
• May assist in a variety of duties related to water quality including overseeing tie-ins, sampling, and monitoring lakes and reservoirs.
• Maintains a variety of records, files, and related documents including computerized and manual records.
• 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:

• Operations, services, and activities of cross connection control, backflow prevention, metering, hydrant repair, and recycled water programs.
• Principles of lead supervision and training.
• 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 as it relates to water distribution, backflow prevention and cross connection control, metering, and fire hydrant operations.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Materials, methods, techniques, and terminology used in the implementation and enforcement of cross connection control of potable and recycled 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:

• Lead, organize, and review the work of staff.
• Independently perform the most difficult cross connection control, backflow prevention, metering, hydrant repair, and recycled water programs duties.
• Interpret, explain, and enforce department policies and procedures.
• Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
• Enforce local and state cross connection control and recycled water 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.
• Perform mathematical calculations.
• 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:

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

Experience: Three years of increasingly responsible experience performing duties comparable to a Cross Connection Technician II 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 B driver’s license. Possession of a valid Grade 3 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 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 10-70 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 5 1-70 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: October 2004
Johnson & Associates