Cross Connection Control Inspector II (Water Quality Inspector II) - Extended

City of Portland; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Portland's Water Bureau is seeking a Cross Connection Control Inspector II to join the Operations Division. This role involves reviewing plans, inspecting backflow prevention assemblies, and ensuring compliance with cross-connection control codes across residential and commercial properties.

Work is based in Portland, OR, with potential hybrid status after probation and management approval. Applicants must meet the stated qualifications, obtain required certifications, and pass a

Qualifications

• Ability to explain and apply State regulations and City code applicable to cross connection control in public water systems.
• Knowledge of the operations and practices of public water systems.
• Ability and experience working with a diverse group of customers in sometimes difficult circumstances.
• Ability to read quarter section maps and complex construction plans.
• Ability to use common computer applications.

Responsibilities

• Review construction documents, plans and permit applications for compliance with cross connection control codes.
• Inspect plumbing systems to verify backflow protection and detect cross connections.
• Advise property owners, designers, engineers, architects, builders, customers and the public on code interpretations; prescribe corrective action.
• Perform on-site inspections of backflow assemblies and certify installations.
• Investigate customer complaints and determine probable cause; recommend solutions.
• Review and enter backflow test reports into databases; perform tests on special projects.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Public water systems

Communication

Reading maps

Computer literacy

Education

High school diploma/GED

Bachelor’s degree (related field)

Job description

Job Appointment

Full-Time

Monday–Friday, 6 am-2:30 pm. This position may be eligible for hybrid work status once probation is completed and with management approval. The current hybrid work policy for the City of Portland is to be in the office a minimum of 50% of the time.

Work location:1900 N Interstate Ave, Portland, OR 97227

AFSCME 189 -- City Wide

Benefits

Please check our benefit tab for an overview of benefits for this position.

To view current labor agreements, please visit https://www.portland.gov/bhr/employee-relations/labor-relations/labor-agreements.

Cross Connection Control Inspector II

The Portland Water Bureau is seeking a Cross Connection Control Inspector II to join their team.

About the team

Position is in the Water Bureau’s Operations Division and will report to the Cross Connection Control Manager. This team is tasked with the key responsibility of protecting the public distribution system from actual or potential hazards by requiring and inspecting privately owned backflow prevention assemblies on domestic, dedicated irrigation and dedicated fire services.

About the Position

Cross Connection Control Inspectors perform a wide variety of duties with considerable independence in workload organization, decision-making and judgement. The journey level of this class is actively involved in the permit review process by providing a full range of plan review and inspection services related to cross connection control.

Core functions and typical duties include:

• Reviews construction documents, plans and permit applications of a wide range of proposed construction or alterations of commercial and complex residential structures to ensure compliance with Federal, State and Municipal Cross Connections control related codes.
• Performs inspections of plumbing systems to determine if backflow protection is adequate or if cross connections exist.
• Reviews scope of projects; analyses information, advises property owners, designers, engineers, architects, builders, customers, and the public on procedures and interpretation of State and Municipal Codes concerning Cross Connection Control; prescribes corrective action verbally and in writing, follows up by means of field inspections.
• Performs on-site inspection of backflow prevention assemblies on various potable and non-potable services connected to the public water supply; certifies and approves final installations.
• Receives and investigates customer complaints regarding potential cross connections and backflow events at commercial and residential properties; determines probable cause; recommends corrective action and problem resolution.
• Conduct inspections of tank-type vehicles to verify approved air-gap backflow protection for annual hydrant permits.
• Review and enter backflow assembly test reports into a backflow database
• Perform backflow assembly testing on special projects as assigned

Questions?

Terrol Johnson
Senior Recruiter
[e-mail]

Applicants must specifically address and demonstrate in their supplemental question responses and resume how their education, training and/or experience, meets each of the following minimum qualifications:

1. Ability to explain and apply State regulations and City code applicable to cross connection control in public water systems
2. Knowledge of the operations and practices of public water systems
3. Ability and experience working with a diverse group of customers in sometimes difficult circumstances
4. Ability to read quarter section maps and complex construction plans
5. Ability to use common computer applications

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications is acceptable.

The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

• Education/Training: High school diploma/GED (required) and a bachelor’s degree in a related field (desired)
• Experience: At least two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in the drinking water industry. Experience in the following is desirable: cross connection, backflow prevention, plumbing systems, drinking water distribution system operation or maintenance and/or construction. (desired)
• Certification: Ability to obtain Oregon Health Authority Water Distribution Operator Certification – Level I within 2 years of appointment. Must be able to acquire State of Oregon Backflow Assembly Tester and Cross Connection Specialist certifications with 6 months of appointment.
• Valid state driver’s License and acceptable driving record
• Ability to pass routine respiratory protection physical examination evaluation and fit testing within 6 months of appointment and ongoing;

Preferred Credentials

(Please note, the following are preferred; not required for this position)

• Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC) or ability to acquire within six months of hire (Federal Government background check required for this card).

STEP 1: Apply online between September 7, 2026, and October 5, 2026.

Required Application Materials:

• Resume
• Answers to Supplemental Questions

Optional Application Materials:

• Veteran’s Preference documents (e.g., DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter) must be submitted by the closing date.
• Update: As of March 3, 2025, if you have already submitted veteran documents and qualified for preference, you do not need to resubmit them for future recruitments.
• To update or remove veteran preference for this recruitment or from your profile, contact the recruiter listed in the job announcement.

Application Tips:

• Your answers to the Supplemental Questions should include details describing your education, training, and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflect your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
• Your résumé should support the details described in your answers to the supplemental questions..
• Salary Range/Equity Pay Analysis: Please note per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law, your salary is determined based on the experience and education listed in your resume/application. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid, regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all directly related and equivalent experience.
• Do not attach any additional documents.
• Please note that all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than the closing date and time of this recruitment.

Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of Oct 5, 2026

• An evaluation of each applicant's training, paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their answers to supplemental questions and resume, weighted 100%.
• Your answers to the supplemental questions and résumé will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
• You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation results. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required before establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of Oct 12, 2026

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.

Step 4: Selection (Interview): TBD

• Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.

Step 5: Offer of Employment: TBD

Step 6: Start Date:

• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.

*Timeline is approximate and subject to change.

Click here for additional information regarding the following:

• City of Portland Core Values
• Recruitment Process - Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations

Did you know? The City of Portland has How to Apply Videos and offers How to Apply Classes once per month. If you have questions after watching the videos you are invited to contact the recruiter listed on the announcement.

An Equal Opportunity Employer