Incumbents monitor and monitor testing of public utility infrastructure construction. Responsibilities may include inspection and testing services to ensure compliance with approved plans and specifications, codes and regulations; approving completed work; directing, advising and assisting utility contractors and plumbers; locating underground utilities; preparing and maintaining reports and operational files; and assisting the public with questions and complaints.

1. Performs inspections and monitors testing of water, sewer and natural gas utility infrastructure construction, encroachment activities, and other related projects/activities.

2. Ensures all work and materials are compliant with approved plans and specifications, as well as current Federal, State and local codes and regulations. Reviews and approves completed work. Rejects non-compliant work or materials.

3. Directs, advises and assists utility contractors with construction plan and specification interpretation, approved materials, acceptable means and methods, and testing requirements to ensure reliability and long life of newly constructed or rehabilitated utilities.

4. Coordinates proper disinfection, flushing, sampling and bacteriological testing of water mains. Prepares and maintains disinfection records for TDEC audits.

5. Locates and marks underground water, sewer, and natural gas utilities in accordance with State law.

6. Prepares and maintains construction inspection and testing results, files, and logs; assists with confirming quantities on contractor invoices; prepares related reports.

7. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

8. Performs other related work as required.

• High school graduate or equivalent.

• Five (5) years experience in water distribution, sewer collection, or natural gas distribution system maintenance and construction.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the job's essential duties.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS (positions in this class typically require):

• Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the State of Tennessee.

• Position requires one of the following within one year of entry:

  • TN Grade 2 Water Distribution Systems Operator Certification

  • TN Grade 2 Wastewater Collection Systems Operator Certification

  • Natural Gas Operator Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (position requirements at entry):

Knowledge of:

• Inspection and testing principles and methods.

• Construction principles and methods.

• Utility design, operation and maintenance principles and methods.

• Disinfection, flushing, sampling and bacteriological testing principles and methods.

• Underground utility location principles and methods.

• Customer service principles.

• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations.

• Recordkeeping principles.

• Computers and related software applications.

Skill in:

• Performing inspections and testing of water, wastewater, and natural gas infrastructure.

• Providing customer service.

• Reading and interpreting construction drawings, plans, and/or specifications.

• Applying applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations.

• Operating underground utility locating equipment.

• Preparing and maintaining reports, logs and records.

• Using a computer and related software applications.

• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with subordinates, coworkers, supervisor, the public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

The work is medium work which requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.

• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.

• Crawling: Moving about on hands, knees, hands, and feet.

• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.

• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.

• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

• Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.

• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination sound.

• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.

• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. It occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.

• Mental Acuity: Making rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.

• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.

• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something steady to thrust forward, downward, or outward.

• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.

• Speaking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.

• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.

• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. It occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.

• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

• Visual ability 1: sufficient to perform an activity like preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading.

• Visual ability 2: sufficient to include color, depth perception, and field vision.

• Visual ability 3: sufficient to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned or to make general observations of facilities or structures.

• Visual ability 4: sufficient to operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment, both day and night.

• Visual ability 5: sufficient to perform an activity such as: visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines; using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes.

• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or move from one work site to another.