Water/Sewer Specialist - Senior

Who We Are: 

At the City of High Point, we celebrate the creator in everyone. Building on our rich cultural history steeped in industrialism and innovation, our employees seek not only to transform themselves, but the world around us. We are collaborators, we are makers, we are visionaries.

We invite you to explore the many opportunities to serve our community, by sharing your talents, skills, and expertise. You'll join a diverse team of over 1300 individuals dedicated not just to making a career, but a difference; because what we create in High Point, changes the world!

Our Core Values:

• Integrity: Saying what we mean and consistently doing what we say with no desire other than the good of the citizens we serve. It means standing up for beliefs. 
• Responsibility: A continual process that emphasizes a high level of personal accountability by each member of the organization.
• Partnership: Adding competitive value and quality to the services provided to our residents, businesses, and visitors through responsible fiscal stewardship, increased innovation, greater use of technology, and expanded civic, neighborhood and regional partnerships.

What You'll Do:

The Water/Sewer Mains Senior Specialist plays a key role in overseeing and actively participating in the operation and maintenance of both water distribution and sewer collection systems. This hands-on, technical position involves supervising day-to-day tasks while managing critical programs such as Backflow and Cross-Connection, as well as the I&I program. The Specialist will also be responsible for accurate data collection and reporting to the State, ensuring compliance and efficiency in all aspects of water and sewer infrastructure. 

Essential Tasks:

• Serve as the Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) for both water distribution and sewer collection systems, ensuring the systems operate efficiently and comply with all regulations.
• Supervise and provide leadership for backup ORCs in both collections and distribution, ensuring seamless operation during scheduled or emergency situations.
• Act as a backup ORC for the Backflow Prevention Program, ensuring continued compliance and system integrity.
• Complete and submit all required reports for Federal, State, and City agencies within established deadlines, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Collaborate with support departments, including labs, plant maintenance, engineering services, administration, and code enforcement, to ensure system records, procedures, and ordinances reflect up-to-date information.
• Provide information and coordination for various programs, including FOG, water quality, lift station maintenance, fire hydrant metering, deduct meters, TRC, and plan reviews, to maintain the integrity of the distribution and collection systems.
• Review and approve chemical treatments, such as degreasers, odor control agents, and bacteriological treatments, for installation in the collection system.
• Oversee the treatment of grease, corrosion, and odor control in both water and sewer systems to ensure optimal operation.
• Monitor SCADA system flows and field flows, ensuring system performance is maintained and issues are addressed promptly.
• Assist engineering teams, CAD technicians, GIS personnel, and others with troubleshooting and resolving issues related to water mains and sewer lines reported by contractors, plumbers, and the public.
• Serve as an on-call supervisor, providing leadership and coordination during emergency response situations.
• Oversee and assign on-call ORC responsibilities, including assuming this role when necessary.
• Support emergency contract inspections, as needed, to address urgent issues and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Assist in the identification and location of lost valves and manholes, ensuring accurate mapping and efficient system management.
• Conduct field checks for water and sewer taps, utilizing maps, records, and GPS technology to ensure accurate data collection.
• Collaborate with various departments to locate and identify utilities, ensuring seamless coordination and problem resolution.
• Support supervisors in locating water and sewer mains, providing essential information for system maintenance and repairs.
• Attend design and construction meetings, contributing technical expertise and ensuring alignment with project requirements.
• Assist supervisors in managing sewer spill incidents, including documentation and reporting for regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate efforts with building and property owners, as well as the City of High Point Engineering Department, to resolve water and sewer-related complaints efficiently.
• Oversee the management of fire hydrant meter, deduct meter, and irrigation meter programs to ensure proper tracking and reporting.
• Review construction and system plans for compliance with city ordinances, rules, regulations, and standard drawings, ensuring all work adheres to established guidelines.
• Evaluate and enhance the preventative maintenance program, identifying areas for improvement and ensuring system longevity.
• Provide necessary information to management as requested, supporting decision-making and operational efficiency.
• Perform other duties as assigned, adapting to evolving project and operational needs.
• Ensure that all collection and distribution system operations, along with associated programs, comply with State and Federal regulations.
• Guarantee that all work is conducted in strict accordance with OSHA and City Safety Standards and Policies to maintain a safe working environment.

What You'll Bring:

Required Qualifications

• Education

  • High school diploma or GED required. 

  • Additional education in areas such as basic math, reading, writing, plan reading, engineering, and/or construction is highly preferred.

  • On-the-job training required, typically ranging from 6 months to 1 year.

• Work Experience

  • A minimum of 3 years of experience as an Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) or backup ORC.
  • Strong proficiency in computer systems and software, with experience using them for operational tasks.

  • Ability to effectively assign and oversee the work of others, ensuring team efficiency and quality.

• Certifications

  • Valid Grade A Water Distribution Certificate.
  • Valid Backflow Prevention Certification.

• Other Requirements

  • Valid North Carolina Driver's License.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Lift Stations.
• Backflow Tester Certification.
• NC Grade IV Wastewater Collection Certificate.
• Prior supervisory experience.

Physical Requirements

• Reaching, Handling, and Fingering: Regular use of hands and arms for reaching, grasping, and handling objects, as well as fine motor skills for tasks requiring precision.
• Hearing and Speaking: Ability to communicate effectively in noisy environments, both to give directives and respond to questions.
• Visual Abilities:
  • Far acuity: Ability to see clearly at 20 feet or more for safety and task management (20/22 corrected).
  • Near acuity: Ability to focus on close tasks such as paperwork and tools (20/25 corrected).
  • Depth perception: Ability to judge distance and space for safe coordination of tasks (5 depth perception score).
  • Field of vision: Wide visual span to monitor surroundings for safety.
  • Accommodation: Ability to adjust focus for near and far tasks, ensuring safety and task completion.
• Physical Strength:
  • Exert up to 50 pounds occasionally, 20 pounds frequently, and 10 pounds consistently.
  • Physical tasks include sitting, walking, standing, kneeling, lifting, bending, and using arms, hands, legs, and feet.
• Repetitive Tasks: Frequent use of reaching, handling, and fingering.

Mental Activity/Requirements

• Reasoning: Ability to apply logical thinking to solve problems, respond to emergencies, and follow directives effectively.
• Mathematical Ability: Ability to calculate material requirements for projects (e.g., concrete, asphalt).
• Language Ability: Ability to read and comprehend manuals, plans, safety regulations, and other job-related documents.
• Writing: Ability to document tasks, prepare reports, and maintain accurate records.

Environmental Conditions

• Physical Surroundings: Exposure to varying weather conditions, including extreme temperatures, rain, snow, high winds, and fog.
• Hazards: Exposure to dirt, debris, plants, insects, confined spaces, and potential contact with bloodborne pathogens, in accordance with OSHA standards.
• Equipment: Use of motor vehicles, hand tools, electric tools, plumbing equipment, computers, measuring devices, and communication tools.
• Special Requirements: Must have a strong understanding of traffic and safety regulations, as well as the maintenance, repair, and construction of water and sewer systems.

Our Commitments

 The City of High Point is committed to be an Equal Opportunity Employer which celebrates diversity and seeks to attract and retain the best qualified partners in service to the Citizens of the City of High Point. The City of High Point is an at-will employer and employees may be terminated or may terminate their employment at any time with or without reason for any reason not prohibited by law.

The City of High Point is committed to classifying and compensating its employees fairly and equitably for the work they do, weighed with both the internal capabilities and the external market. While the job description is not intended to and does not create a contract of employment, we are excited to use this “living document” as a guide for managing performance and positions to ensure job descriptions are reflective of the current work required by the incumbent or expected by any candidate to whom an offer of employment is extended.

The City of High Point is committed to providing a safe, comfortable working environment to all employees. To that end, we are proud to comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, as well as make reasonable accommodations to candidates and employees as we are able in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Candidates selected for employment must undergo (a.) a drug screening, in accordance with the City’s drug and alcohol policy and (b.) a background screening to determine whether there is any current, pending, or previous charge, conviction or other infraction deemed incompatible with service in the capacity for which the candidate is being hired. Certain positions are considered so critical to the health and safety of others that a candidate cannot be placed in any of those positions without passing a pre-placement physical exam. Successful results from these conditions will result in an offer of employment.

 

Please note: This job may be closed earlier than the specified date due to high candidate volume. If interested, please apply as soon as possible.

Salary : $52,826 - $71,698