Cross-Connection Control Assistant

Cross-Connection Control Assistant

The City of Kent is seeking a detail-oriented, customer-focused Cross-Connection Control Assistant to support our commitment to maintaining a safe, reliable drinking water system. In this role, you'll perform a variety of technical field and customer service duties that help protect our community's water quality—including conducting water use surveys, supporting cross-connection inspections, and assisting customers with backflow prevention requirements.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys a mix of fieldwork and office work, values accuracy, and can build positive relationships with residents, businesses, and contractors—even in challenging or high-pressure situations. Working under general supervision, you'll apply your knowledge of water systems, inspection practices, and public service to ensure compliance with state and city regulations.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree in physical/natural sciences with courses on public/business administration or a high school diploma supplemented with the completion of a two-year technical course in water distribution repair or maintenance, water/wastewater technology, cross-connection control, or a related field. Two (2) years of increasingly responsible program management, inspection, and/or customer service support experience, along with at least one (1) year of experience in conducting water use surveys and cross-connection inspections, are required.

Cross-Connection Control Specialist Certification is also required.

This is a full-time, benefited position that is not represented by a union.

Salary: $6,902.00- $8,417.00 per month, depending on experience

Under the direction of the Environmental Supervisor, or designee, perform a variety of technical and customer service duties in support of the City of Kent Cross-Connection Control Program, and temporary support of the construction management, solid waste, and natural resources programs.

Work is characterized by performing independent, routine, and sometimes specialized, technical and customer service duties associated with water use surveys, backflow location inspections, and other responsibilities requiring substantial interpersonal contact. The incumbent is required to use independent judgment in applying a thorough knowledge of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for Cross-Connection Control program; perform and be responsible for water use surveys and less complex field inspections and enforcement to assist the Cross-connection Control Inspector(s);

and maintain inspection files and records. The incumbent is also required to exercise a considerable amount of tact, patience, and courtesy in dealing with the City's personnel and external customers as he/she may be subject to highly agitated or stressful communication from irate or disgruntled customers, contractors, and Backflow Assembly Testers.

Work is performed under general supervision. The supervisor defines objectives, priorities, and deadlines; and assists the incumbent with unusual situations. The incumbent plans and carries out assignments and handles problems and deviations in accordance with instructions, policies, procedures, and/or accepted practices. Work is evaluated for technical soundness and conformity to practice and policy.

Assist the Cross-Connection Control Inspector in implementing and maintaining the Cross-Connection Control program and databases to track and inspect cross-connections within the City water franchise areas.

Perform site Water Use Surveys with property managers, property owners, business owners, and facility maintenance personnel and send out related correspondence and notifications. Track Water Use Surveys and inspections.

Investigate water quality concerns where backflow is suspected, and where backflow assembly is required.

Inspect facilities and other premises to identify potential or actual cross-connections, and work with customers in a positive manner, taking corrective action to protect the drinking water system from possible contamination.

Review engineering as-builts in order to locate backflows and ensure cross-connection compliance and…