Engineering Technician 2

The Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) provides quality water supply, water pollution control, mapping, and household hazardous waste collection to eight member municipalities: Bloomfield, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor. Additionally, the MDC provides drinking water to portions of Farmington, Glastonbury, East Granby and South Windsor, known as the MDC's non-member towns.

JOB SUMMARY

This is responsible engineering technical work involving the survey and inspection of utility construction plans and permits, investigation of sanitary sewer, storm drain and water service installations and the operation of applicable instruments\/equipment.

Work involves responsibility for safe operation of survey instruments and inspection of construction. Duties include inspecting water and sewer main construction, operating a survey transit and other survey instruments, and maintaining records. This position also has the responsibility for making survey transit operation and construction inspection decisions in accordance with established procedures. This work requires that the employee have good knowledge, skill in surveying, construction inspection, utility services, drafting, mapping and administration of standard water and sewer construction plans and permits.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Inspect standard and highly complex utility pipeline and building mechanical systems construction and materials. Instruct contractors in construction practices and in correcting construction errors. Enforce inspection decisions. Oversee contractor pressure tests of water, sewer and force main pipelines.
• Coordinate and track the progress of contracted construction programs. Carry out liaison between District engineers and contractors. Lead construction inspection teams in the largest projects or on-going construction programs, as assigned. Demonstrate construction inspection practices and guides less experienced inspectors.
• Compile outstanding deficiencies for substantially completed construction projects and resolves issues with contractors. Ensure the accuracy and completeness of associated documentation at the completion of a construction project.
• Ensure that work zones comply with MDC and OSHA safety standards.
• Respond to state Call Before You Dig Mark-out Program requests. Interprets existing records using various equipment to accurately identify and mark utilities. Maintain accurate mark-outs and document mark-outs through video\/photo and GPS data collection of infrastructure marked out.
• Assist in collection of monies for delinquent water accounts and miscellaneous bills. Confer with customers, attorneys or District personnel regarding collection action. Appear as a court witness representing the District. Establish payment schedules. Determine abatement of penalties and occupancy\/hardship status.
• Respond to inquiries and complaints and assist in the follow-up of claims. Assist in processing and scheduling termination and restoration of service for non-payment. Assist Operations Function with service shut on\/off during off-hours. Demonstrate service termination procedures.
• Monitor customer compliance with wastewater discharge limits against Federal\/State\/Local\/District regulations
• Calculate discharge fees related to specific customer discharges.
• Inspect standard cross-connections in all types of structures for backflow conditions. Conducts surveys of industries for possible hazardous waste discharge, determines corrective actions and assures their implementation. Perform surveys at residential and small\/medium Industrial and Commercial facilities
• Determine backflow prevention measures for standard problems and assures the implementation of those measures by the owner. Investigate standard water contamination problems, including meter readings, excessive water use, water leaks, and water quality, and determine corrective actions to be taken and assures their implementation.
• -Perform and document private property surveys with regards to the District's sewer backup prevention program and the water and sewer service line inspection and replacement program, including monitoring and tracking of assessments, permitting, execution and completion. Coordinate required improvement with contractors
• -Conduct research and makes recommendations for inclusion of customers' property in the District's inflow, backwater device installation, rain water disconnect, and similar programs. Meet with property owners and others to explain program implications. Assists in development of strategy for effective program presentation, implementation and expansion. Educates customers through home visits and public speaking.
• Review basic plumbing of customer's property to determine applicability to the program. Coordinates activities for inflow and backwater device installation. Receive customer complaints and recommends solutions. Follows up to ensure proper actions.
• Operate all survey equipment, as assigned. Participates in land surveying parties. Survey completed pipeline construction projects for proper line and grade. Prepares not-to-scale as-built drawings and performs calculations. May act as leader of a survey party, as assigned.
• Use survey equipment to provide base map locations involving horizontal and vertical control, topographic, land and boundary surveys; locate existing land and building features and utilities for records and design purposes (mark-outs); and handle residential inquiries and\/or disputes of easements, right-of-ways, and property lines.
• Prepare contracts, including document preparation, revision of existing contract specification, adding new specifications, preparing budgets, preparing requisitions, evaluating bidder qualifications, and determining restoration schedules.
• Administer complex permitting procedures with firmness and tact. Prepare assessment publications, water and sewer liens and District agendas.
• Respond to questions from owners, developers, contractors, attorneys, agencies and the public regarding assessments, water and sewer extensions, liens and other District-related matters. Confer with project engineering staff on real estate considerations of projects.
• Advise District personnel on assessment charges.
• Provide information to customers and others requiring customer financial data. Prepare summaries and analyses financial data according to explicit instructions.
• Coordinate and maintain the document management system files
• Coordinates engineering program activities with other divisions, town officials, vendors, consultants, and the general public.
• Inspects invoices of contractors and others performing program work; coordinates reimbursement to property owners. Arranges follow-up inspections.
• Inspects and analyzes data for power rodding and video camera surveillance. Identifies causes of sewer failures and identifies solutions or corrective actions.
• Performs hydrostatic tests on private force mains, ejector systems and water services to assure adequate pressure. Conducts dye tests to locate defective sewers and drains.
• Drafts, details and letters varied and complex engineering project plans to scale from notes, sketches and scaled drawings. Conforms drafting to District drafting standards and procedures.
• Drafts and letters plans for large and complex utility components and unusual features.
• Interprets project drafting requirements and conducts additional research to produce the needed level of detail in the drawings. Inspects project areas or facilities to ascertain field conditions or problems, as directed.
• Researches and compiles mapping data and creates and updates a variety of map series including topographic, planimetric, regional, town and utility.
• Generates DFX AutoCAD, Shape files, and Drawing files.
• Inspects and tests standard cross-connections in all types of structures for backflow conditions. Conducts surveys of industries for possible hazardous waste discharge, determines corrective actions and assures their implementation. Tests backflow prevention devices.
• Determines backflow prevention measures for standard problems and assures the implementation of those measures by the owner.
• Responds to emergency calls on off hours
• Performs related work as required.

  SUPERVISION RECEIVED

  Works under the general supervision of the Manager of Command Center or Manager of Construction
  

  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  An Associate's degree plus four (4) years construction, drafting, Utility, or related experience. Must be certified, or be able to be certified within one year, as a CT Backflow Prevention Tester and a Cross-Connection Survey Inspector and a Connecticut Water Distribution System Operator Class I. Must have a valid driver's license

  As part of the screening process, applicants will be required to take a written and practical exam. A passing score of 70 on the written exam is required in order to be referred to a practical exam. Candidates must pass both exams to be considered for an interview with supervision and further point evaluation.

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  KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
  

  • Knowledge of surveying and construction inspection principles and practices as applied to basic engineering technician projects.
  • Knowledge of computer technology, as applied to construction inspection.
  • Good ability to ability to read and interpret plans and blueprints and to inspect utility pipeline construction safely, effectively and efficiently and with firmness and tact.
  • Good knowledge, skill and ability in utility construction methods and plan review.
  • Knowledge of cartography, geodesy and photogrammetry principles and practices as applied to topographic, planimetric and thematic mapping.
  • Knowledge of automated mapping applications with respect to a geographic information system environment.
  • Knowledge of Arc Info, GIS Mapping, and other related software.
  • Knowledge of water and sewer system and pipe design.
  • Knowledge of claims administration principles and practices
  • Knowledge of Public Administration Principles and practices as applied to claims resolution.
  • Knowledge of account clerical procedures and techniques in support of claims management
  • Knowledge of basic plumbing and electrical work in residential and small commercial buildings
  • Knowledge of procurement, contracting and work management
  • Knowledge of various ESRI tools, databases and services.
  • Knowledge of SAP Sales and Distribution reporting as it relates to department functions
  • Knowledge of SAP Project Systems reporting for Developer Permit Agreement Projects and Capital Projects
  • Ability in mathematics as applied to surveying and related operations.
  • Knowledge of standardized pipe assessment procedures.
  • Some knowledge of computerized mapping digitizing practices. Good ability in oral and written communications.
  • Ability in oral and written communications.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, town officials, vendors, contractors, consultants, and the general public.
    

    ADA COMPLIANCE
    

    Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert moderate physical effort that involves lifting, carrying, pushing and\/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (under 50 pounds).
    

    Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate visual and\/or auditory cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

    Environmental Factors: Essential functions are performed primarily outdoors, frequently exposed to any or all of the following: various weather conditions, high or deep dangerous places, working near moving mechanical parts, risk of electric shock, vibration, fumes, airborne particles, chemicals, etc.

    
    
    

    The Metropolitan District Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Commission will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.