Engineering Technician II-PW / Sidewalk Inspector

City of Kenosha; Kenosha (WI); On-site; USD 48,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Kenosha's Public Works Department seeks a position focused on sidewalk inspections and ADA compliance, with construction observation and program management across city-wide concrete sidewalk projects.

The role involves field work (80%) and office work (20%), coordinating with residents, contractors, and City staff, plus snow removal duties in winter. Must have a high school diploma and relevant experience as described.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associates degree preferred.
• 2 years of progressively responsible experience as an Engineering Technician or Construction Inspector, OR 5 years in a construction related field.
• Ability to learn City construction standards and GIS.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills and ability to interact with the public.

Responsibilities

• Perform resident sidewalk inspections for ADA compliance and City standards.
• Manage and observe annual city-wide concrete sidewalk and curb & gutter replacement and wedge cutting program.
• Inspect private contractors within City right-of-way and ensure ordinances are followed.
• Respond to snow removal complaints and coordinate with snow removal contractor.
• Maintain inspection records and GIS-based data; coordinate with residents, contractors, and City staff.

Skills

Field inspection

Resident communication

Enforce city standards

GIS/computer literacy

Safety awareness

Public interaction

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associates or continuing education preferred

Tools

GIS software

Tablets

Mobile devices

Job description

This position will be under the direct supervision of the Assistant City Engineer. The primary focus of the position is to perform resident requested sidewalk inspections for compliance with City standards and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, construction observation and management of annual city-wide concrete sidewalk removal and replacement and wedge cutting projects, construction inspection of private contractors performing sidewalk, driveway, and curb & gutter repairs within the public right-of-way, and respond to requests for non-compliant snow removal on public sidewalks. Additional tasks to be completed by this role include construction inspection of public works projects and other duties as assigned. Winter duties include responding to snow complaints and enforcement follow-up.

Please consider this opportunity if you are motivated to be part of a fast-paced and professional Public Works Department. This is an exciting time to be part of the City of Kenosha team and grow your career while feeling a sense of accomplishment, teamwork, and satisfaction.

• Tasks anticipated to be performed are 80% in the field and 20% in an office setting.

• Perform initial sidewalk inspections from complaints received by the City from residents, elected officials, or anonymously, including:

  • Review for compliance with City standards and ADA requirements.

  • Coordinating with residents and property owners.

  • Document and maintain inspection results and requests for information on City-issued electronic devices and programs, including internal Geographic Information System (GIS) tracking.

  • Providing updates regarding schedule when work is to be completed.

• Design, project management, and construction administration of annual City-wide concrete sidewalk and curb & gutter replacement and wedge cutting program including:

  • Organize and prepare list of locations to be included in annual program.

  • Track design and construction budget based on allocated funds.

  • Prepare preliminary and final assessment to be charged to residents

  • Be the first point of contact and provide timely responses for all information requests, questions, concerns, complaints, and conflict resolution between residents, business owners, contractor, and City staff.

  • Stake limits of work to be performed based on work included.

  • Layout of ADA curb ramps.

  • Inspect work performed to ensure City ordinances and project specifications are adhered to.

  • Coordinate with contractor on a regular basis regarding work performed, schedule, conflict resolution, and other tasks.

  • Determine appropriate corrective actions required for non-compliant work.

  • Maintain accurate records of quantities for work performed by contractors

  • Recommend payment for monthly pay requests.

  • Coordinate with City staff as required.

• Perform inspections of private contractors installing concrete sidewalk, driveways, and curb & gutter for private residents within the City right-of-way, including:

  • Be the first point of contact for private contractors performing work within the City right-of-way.

  • Communicate with administrative staff responsible for issuance of permits

  • Inspect work performed to ensure City ordinances are adhered to.

  • Document and maintain inspection results on City-issued electronic devices and programs.

  • Determine appropriate corrective actions required for non-compliant work.

• Perform inspections with non-compliant snow removal complaints during winter months, including:

  • Performing initial inspection to determine compliance

  • Properly documenting non-compliant locations and issue compliance orders with photos and notes

  • Perform re-inspection of non-compliant locations to determine if orders were complied with

  • Coordinating with city-contracted snow removal contractor to remove snow from non-compliant locations

  • Assessing snow removal charges to property owners.

• May be required to assist in snow and ice removal activities.

NOTE: The duties listed above are intended as illustrations of the various types of work performed by persons in positions covered by this classification specification. This list is not all inclusive. The omission of a particular job duty does not mean that the duty is not one of the essential functions of the position. Management reserves the right to assign employees in this classification to duties not listed above, if the duties are fairly within the scope of responsibilities applicable to the level of work performed by employees in positions covered by this classification specification. This classification specification does not create an employment contract between the City and the employee and is subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and the department change over time.

Minimum Education, Training and Experience Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED minimum requirement. Associates or Continuing Education preferred.
• Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience as an Engineering Technician, or Construction Inspector. OR
• Five (5) years in a construction related field.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability Requirements:

• Ability to learn City of Kenosha construction standards and specifications.

• Knowledge of computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, PDF, Internet browser, virtual meetings, e-mails, and GIS.

• Knowledge of electronic devices such as desktop computers, cameras, tablets, and mobile phones.

• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Ability to handle reasonably necessary stress.
• Ability to work with contractors and enforce City standards/ordinances.
• Ability to interact with the Public in a professional manner.

Physical Requirements:

• Task involves the regular, and at times sustained, performance of heavier physical tasks such as walking over rough or uneven surfaces, bending, stooping, working in confined spaces, and lifting or carrying moderately heavy (20-50 pound) items.
• Task involves the continuous operation of hand tools, calling for full coordination of sensory and manipulative ability in order to achieve full production to acceptable standards.
• Task may involve occasional heavy lifting or moving, but the emphasis is placed upon the coordination and manipulation skills.

Environmental Requirements:

• Task is maybe performed with exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
• Work is mainly outdoors.
• Tasks may require frequent exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Sensory Requirements:

• Task requires color perception and discrimination.
• Task requires depth perception and discrimination.
• Task requires visual perception and discrimination.
• Task requires oral and written communications ability.

Other Requirements:

• Must be age 18 or older
• Possession of a valid driver's license and a good driving record.
• May be required to provide a personal vehicle for use on the job.
• Anticipated work hours 7:00 am - 3:30 pm, Monday - Friday with occasional weekends.

Selection of qualified applicants will be based upon a rating of their training, experience and work record. The selection process may include written and/or oral examinations. Appointment will be made in accordance with City policy and the Civil Service Ordinance and Rules and Regulations. The City reserves the right to evaluate only those applicants who best meet the needs of the City.