Engineering Technician III - Water

BASIC PURPOSE

Under general direction, the Engineering Technician III - Water performs advanced technical and sub-professional engineering work in the office and field. Duties will vary depending on the assigned section.

An Engineering Technician III utilizes a high degree of skill and competency in making independent decisions in resolving problems and routinely provides leadership and/or direction to technical staff on assigned projects. Incumbents work with minimum supervision. Performs limited section supervision responsibilities in absence of section supervisor.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following statements reflect the essential duties and responsibilities of this classification, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing. The incumbent is also expected to meet the City's technical standards developed for this position and the standards for interpersonal and team behaviors, and customer contact. Incumbents may also perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or to meet current workload needs.

General Responsibilities:

• Regularly takes initiative in recommending changes in work methods, policies, and procedures to improve levels of service delivery and improve overall operating efficiencies.

• Monitors day-to-day operations; anticipates and troubleshoots problems where needed.

• Handles complaints and answers citizen inquiries regarding public work issues to best of ability; responds quickly and appropriately to citizen inquiries, requests for service, and/or complaints. Follows through if unable to answer the question at the moment.

• Routinely detects and prevents errors or mistakes that would prove costly or could seriously disrupt a city service or project.

• Represents the City at inter-agency meetings, committee meetings, or with contractors or citizen groups as assigned.

• Uses computer(s) to perform engineering tasks related to section work, preparation of spreadsheets, design work, engineering modeling, AutoCAD, and other related applications.

• Usually perceives when non-routine activities are required and offers help without needing to be asked. Makes efforts to modify workload to assist with an emergent problem, assignment, or project whenever feasible.

• May be assigned to assist with engineering work for another section, i.e. surveying, construction inspection, plan review, or drafting.

• Works overtime as assigned.

Water Resources:

• Manages all aspects of the City's backflow prevention and cross connection programs, including field inspection and testing work and on-site surveys, database management, and customer service.

• Responds to inquiries and/or complaints from customers, the public and/or developers.

• Diagnoses problems and resolves problems, coordinating with engineering and maintenance staff and referring complicated issues as needed.

• Manages all aspects of special emphasis compliance efforts, e.g. lakefront property backflow prevention.

• Collects, records and enters compliance data to maintain a current backflow prevention database.

• Generates reports to document program findings, schedule compliance activities, and to monitor compliance.

• Identifies and follows -up with non-compliant customers to bring system to compliance.

• Takes an active role in the local AWWA cross connection control committee.

• Coordinates with other local jurisdictions regarding backflow prevention and cross connection programs.

• Reviews development plans for compliance with cross connection control and backflow prevention guidelines, policies, ordinances, and standards.

• Monitors water sampling program for compliance with applicable water quality regulations and protocols.

• Takes routine compliance samples from water distribution system and source wells; takes samples for new main and/or new city facility construction projects; and takes samples from monitoring wells.

• Files, records, and enters sample data and test results. Notifies the appropriate staff of test results and assists with any critical communications.

• Compiles reports on water sampling results and/or data.

• Manages the annual leak detection survey; identifies pipelines for each year's survey in consultation with the Operations Division and Senior Utilities Engineer; selects a contractor to perform the work, prepares contract documents and administers contract; assists contractor during the one week of the survey field work and maintains documentation records of survey work.

• Performs field work and monitoring as assigned in support of the Wellhead Protection projects and programs.

• Assists the Water Resources Division as needed with public information and/or notification projects; site survey work; research and/or response to emergent issues.

QUALIFICATIONS

The typical qualified candidate will have an Associate's Degree in civil engineering technology and three years of work experience performing technical engineering or surveying work with emphasis in the area of assigned section responsibilities, OR any combination of experience, education, and training that would provide the level of knowledge and ability required.

• Must have a high school diploma or G.E.D.

• Possession of or ability to obtain within one month a valid industrial first aid card and flagger's card.

• Must pass a background investigation.

• Must maintain a level of physical and mental fitness necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Must possess a valid Washington State driver's license at time of hire OR must obtain within 30 days from date of hire, and must have a driving record acceptable to the City and the City's insurance carrier; OR must be able to provide own transportation to and from job, meetings, and related job sites.

• Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be complete as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

• The Technician assigned to Water Resources must possess Washington State certification as a Cross Connection Control Specialist and a Backflow Assembly Tester, or obtain both certifications within one year from date of hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Good working knowledge of civil engineering techniques applicable to assigned section responsibilities and good knowledge of higher mathematics (calculus, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry).Ability to apply engineering formulas, principles, and techniques to solve surveying, design, and/or engineering related problems.

• Working knowledge of computers and their application to land surveying, engineering, mapping, project management, and/or design as appropriate to section responsibilities.

• Thorough working knowledge of public works design and construction practices and methodologies (or land surveying methodologies) as appropriate to section responsibilities.

• Pertinent standards, guidelines, manuals, and specifications.

• Must possess or have the ability to possess a working knowledge of the local agency guidelines and applicable local, state, and federal funding requirements.

• Industrial first aid practices and pertinent safety regulations, standards, and guidelines.

Ability to:

• Lead and direct technical staff and effectively coordinate assigned project.

• Perform technical duties of section responsibilities in accordance with accepted engineering construction and or survey practices.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and meet program goals and complete assignments on time.

• Warmly greet the public and co-workers and clearly convey a sincere willingness to be of service and/or be open to resolving the situation at hand.Clearly explains self or answers when necessary. Takes the time to ensure message is easily understood.Closes all contacts courteously and appropriately.

• Look for opportunities to build trust; is willing to provide clarification; follows up on answers; researches more data if needed; willing to be helpful; willing to negotiate schedule to accommodate another's needs; and is willing to use both good verbal and non-verbal behavior to show an open, accepting attitude.

• Portray an image of knowledge, confidence, professionalism, fairness, and caring.Dress and grooming are appropriate to position.

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Work in the field in all weather conditions and over rough terrain when assigned field responsibilities.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Hearing, speaking or otherwise communicating to exchange information in person or on the telephone.

• Operating a computer keyboard and drafting materials.

• Reading and understanding a variety of materials.

• Sitting, standing or otherwise remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time.

• Ascending/descending from ladders and working from heights or depths.

• Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching, reaching above shoulders and horizontally or otherwise positioning oneself to accomplish tasks.

• Lifting/carrying or otherwise moving or transporting moderately heavy objects up to 40 lbs.

• Ability to wear appropriate personal protective equipment based on required City Policy.

Hazards:

• Contact with dissatisfied members of the public.

• Working in and around moving traffic.

• Occasional exposure to dangerous machinery.

• Occasional extreme weather conditions.

• Potential physical harm and hazardous chemicals when working in the field, conducting inspections and working around construction equipment and worksites.