Come work at a place where you have a direct impact on the quality of life for Kent residents, business owners and visitors alike!
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. All City of Kent employees and external candidates are eligible to apply at this time.
**Please note you must attach your cover letter and resume to your application for your application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position. If you experience technical difficulties, please contact our office Monday-Friday, between 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you.**
The selection process for this position will include at least one panel interview and a short writing exercise that will take place at the time of the first interview.
This position is open until filled.
SALARY:
$6,902.00- $8,417.00 per month, depending on experience
For a listing of benefits, please use the following link: Employee Benefits | City of Kent (kentwa.gov)
GENERAL PURPOSE:
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.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
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 standards are met.
Maintain and update a list of acceptable backflow assembly testers to verify that the testers have proper certifications and properly calibrated test kits.
Notify customers of annual backflow testing schedule and requirements.
Maintain schedules for testing and/or replacement of obsolete or non-compliant backflow assemblies.
Resolve or research answers to customer questions or complaints regarding backflow assemblies, inspections, testing, and testers.
Communicate with the public as necessary; schedule inspections; investigate and resolve complaints; communicate with City departments and personnel and outside agencies to coordinate efforts and exchange information.
Perform field location inspections for deficiencies or correctness of installed backflow preventers and keep current records of those locations.
Prepare and maintain a variety of reports, correspondence, records, and files related to area of assignment; interpret and enter data into the computer system.
Respond to Public Records Requests.
Assist the Cross-Connection Control Inspector(s) in preparing annual reports to the Washington State Department of Health and other reports as may be required regarding the progress of the City’s Cross-Connection Control program.
Coordinate with Finance department to update the current backflow inventory for billing purposes and ensure all backflow prevention assemblies are recorded for collection of applicable fees.
Assist in designing and gathering educational materials for City of Kent residences, business owners, and employees on Cross-Connection Control and backflow and the importance of maintaining a clean water system.
Assist the Natural Resources and Solid Waste program staff with performing field inspections or surveys or organizing and implementing community events related to these program areas.
Assist the Construction Inspector(s) in Public Works with their duties related to cross-connection control on public and private development projects.
Actively support the vision, mission, values, and goals of the department and the City.
PERIPHERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Perform related duties as assigned.
SUCCESSFUL INCUMBENTS FOR THIS POSITION WILL HAVE THE:
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Knowledge of Cross-Connection Control Program operations, regulations, services, and activities
City codes, WAC 246-290-490 (as amended), and other applicable regulations related to construction inspection of backflow assembly installations
City water utilities
Water Use Surveys
Cross-Connection Control Inspections procedures and practices
Proper Public Works inspection methods
City organization, operations, policies/codes, and objectives
Applicable health and safety regulations
Excellent oral and written communication
Recordkeeping techniques
Basic program management research methods and practices and mathematical principles
City and State codes and other applicable regulations regarding backflow assemblies and backflow protection
Backflow assembly testing procedures and various types of backflow preventers and their installation and correct application.
Policies and procedures related to Private Stormwater Inspection.
Computer software being used to manage the program
Research and analytical methods, practices, and procedures
BE SKILLED IN:
Cross-Connection Control Programs and correct inspection procedures
Effective oral and written communication
Inspecting facilities and other premises to identify actual or potential cross-connections, and working with customers in a positive manner, on taking corrective action to protect the drinking water system from possible contamination.
Using tact, patience, and courtesy in communicating with customers and in obtaining compliance from property owners faced with very costly or disruptive implementation of required corrective measures.
Composing, assembling, and editing correspondence, diverse data, letters, memoranda, reports, etc.
Using proper telephone techniques and etiquette to properly assist a diverse assortment of inquiries and persons
Applying modern office practices, procedures and proficient use of equipment or hand-held devices including computers and related software such as data base programs, word processing and spreadsheet programs to assigned tasks
Maintaining interrelated files and records, and preparing reports
Understanding and following oral and written directions
Interpreting laboratory analysis/data
Effectively planning, organizing and prioritizing work to meet schedules and timelines
HAVE THE ABILITY TO:
Perform technical, clerical, customer service, and program management duties to assist the Cross-Connection Control and Construction Inspector(s)
Understand plumbing, backflow assembly testing procedures, and installation practices
Understand backflow test data, public water system, industry regulations and city codes, and accurate distribution system information from the facility.
Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with others
Plan and organize work to meet schedules and timelines
Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
Work independently with minimum direction
Read and comprehend business correspondence, policies, and procedures
Apply common-sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
Operate a variety of office equipment including computers, copiers, etc.
Complete work despite interruptions
Read and interpret construction drawings, plans, and specifications
Exercise legal and defensive driving practices
SKILLS FOR THE POSITION MAY BE GAINED THROUGH EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE or a COMBINATION, SUCH AS:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in physical/natural sciences with courses on public/business administration, or a High School diploma supplemented by completion of a two-year technical course with a diploma in water distribution repair or maintenance, water/wastewater technology, cross-connection control, or related field.
Experience: Two (2) years of increasingly responsible program management, inspection, and/or customer service support experience and at least one (1) year experience in conducting Water Use Surveys and cross-connection inspections.
LICENSES AND OTHER INFORMATION:
Cross-Connection Control Specialist Certification required during application
Backflow Assembly Tester Certification (BAT) and/or Water Distribution Certificate, or able to obtain either or both of these certifications within six (3) months of employment
Confined space entry certification or able to obtain this certification within six (6) months of employment
Valid First Aid/CPR card, or the ability to obtain within thirty (30) days of employment
Must successfully pass the City's position-specific background inquiry, driver's records check; and maintain an excellent driving record
MACHINES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Typical business office machinery and equipment including, but not limited to, personal computer and related software, telephone, cellular phone, fax machine, copy machine, and calculator.
The incumbent is also required to operate a City vehicle to travel to and from inspection sites.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle or feel; and talk and hear normally with or without mechanical assistance. The incumbent is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. Depending on project needs, the incumbent is required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The incumbent is frequently required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 100 pounds with assistance.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work is performed in an indoor/outdoor field environment and in an indoor office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical tools and may be walking/climbing high, precarious places. The employee may be frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, outside weather conditions including inclement weather, and other risks associated with the job performance. The employee may be occasionally exposed to vibration. The incumbent is subject to driving from site to site and may need to occasionally work during weekends as needed. During field work, the incumbent may be exposed to individuals who are irate or hostile. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate in the office and moderate to loud in the field.
The City of Kent is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
