Salary: $46,184.00 - $66,504.00 AnnuallyLocation : Portsmouth, VAJob Type: Full-Time RegularJob Number: FY2024-00868Department: Public UtilitiesOpening Date: 11/26/2024Closing Date: 12/10/2024 11:59 PM EasternGeneral Statement of the Job & Essential Functions GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOBUnder general supervision, this position implements the city's Backflow Prevention Program by coordinating, supervising, monitoring and checking water connections to assure backflow prevention. Reports to the Water Quality Compliance Superintendent.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONSSchedules and conducts backflow inspections; categorizes inspections by degree of hazard and determines which type of backflow preventer is required; creates records on existing customers; conducts weekly field inspections; maintains an accurate map of the distribution systems and its components and maintains accurate maintenance and tests records for backflow preventers, to include industrial backflow preventers. Responds to customer complaints and inquiries from citizens, businesses, and civic groups regarding water quality.Coordinates laboratory tests in response to concerns. Collects water compliance samples required under 12VAC5-590-370. Complies with City Ordinances and notifies appropriate parties of hazardous problems; receives and handles complaints from customers; performs annual inspections for backflow preventer devices for city facilities; prepares written reports on each inspection of backflow devices at industrial facilities. Works with building inspection staff and industries to ensure backflow prevention devices are installed in accordance with Local, State and Federal laws and that the appropriate device is being installed; works with industries and citizens. Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.Knowledge, Skills & Abilities PERFORMANCE INDICATORSKnowledge of Job: Has general knowledge of the Federal, State and Local Codes pertaining to backflow prevention regulations and requirements and the principles and practices of inspection, surveying and testing of backflow control devices; has some knowledge of Microsoft Office Suites and how to develop reports of work performed; has some experience in handling various types of customers concerns; has the ability to create reports and documents; and has the ability to effectively represent the organization in a positive manner. Is able to exercise tact and courtesy when dealing with the public. Is able to establish and maintain effective relationships as necessitated by work assignments.Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts with all departments, co-workers and the public.Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under Essential Job Functions. Dependability: Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work or before deadlines in accordance with directives, policies, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and research problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified i.e., poor communications, variance with policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the department.Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all department employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees and managers in other departments, to project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the city. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, professionals and the public.Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions of time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings and deadlines.Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.Education, Experience & Special Requirements EDUCATION & EXPERIENCEA high school diploma or the equivalent with some college coursework in chemistry, biology or a related field, and 1 - 2 years of experience in water distribution or a related field, 1-2 years of experience in handling customer service concerns or an equivalent combination of education and experience.SPECIAL REQUIREMENTSA valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record. Possession of Backflow Prevention Device Tester's License or ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire. An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check. This position requires pre-employment medical evaluation and substance abuse testing and is subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing.Physical Demands MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIREDTO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONSPhysical Requirements: Must be able demonstrate physical flexibility needed to inspect project work in progress. Requires the ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are those for Medium Work. Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things. Interpersonal Communications: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments and directions from supervisor. Language Ability: Requires the ability to read and interpret blueprints, construction drawings, city code, contracts, and specifications. Requires the ability to prepare reports documenting project progress, problems encountered, compliance to code, and specifications using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction and style. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence. Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form and work with several abstract and concrete variables. Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently using standard English and construction terminology. Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas. Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, and to determine percentages and proportions. Form/Spatial Aptitude:Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape. Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using a vehicle and materials testing equipment. Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, such as office equipment and a vehicle. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Color Discrimination:Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under high levels of stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress (emergency situations). Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTSThe City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.The city of Portsmouth offers a complete and comprehensive benefit package to full-time employees including: medical, dental, vision, legal, Flexible Spending Accounts, basic and optional life insurance, short-term disability insurance, Virginia Retirement System (includes a mandatory 5% employee contribution), holidays, vacation, sick leave, deferred compensation plan, and Chartway Credit Union. To learn more details, visit 01 Do you have a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record?
02 Please select the highest level of education completed.
- Less than High School
- High School Diploma or GED
- Some College
- Associates/Vocational/Technical
- Bachelor's Degree or Higher
03 Do you have 1-2 years of experience in handling customer service concerns?
04 Do you have 1 - 2 years of experience in water distribution or a related field?
05 Do you have a Possession of Backflow Prevention Device Tester's License or the ability to obtain one within six (6) months of hire.
Required Question