Manager - Cross Connection & Water Loss

City-of-South-Ben; South Bend (IN); On-site; USD 73,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of South Bend is seeking a Manager - Cross Connection & Water Loss to oversee the backflow prevention program, enforce standards, and maintain water system records in GIS and Cityworks. This role also guides staff under the Water Asset Specialist and coordinates water loss control initiatives.

You will supervise the team, generate asset-driven reports, and collaborate with Water Quality and other departments to ensure compliant operations and proactive maintenance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, environmental sciences, sanitary engineering or GIS.
• 3–5 years of full-time experience enforcing or complying with environmental regulations.
• 3–5 years of lead/supervisory experience in utility operations.
• 3 years experience in GIS environments and enterprise data management systems.
• Experience in water, wastewater or utility operations and maintenance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee backflow prevention program and enforce relevant standards and regulations.
• Maintain distribution assets in GIS, paper, and Cityworks records.
• Supervise backflow staff and Water Asset Specialist; implement water loss control.
• Generate asset-driven reporting and progress updates for management.
• Interact with vendors and City departments; ensure timely permits and documentation.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Self-motivation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, environmental sciences, sanitary engineering or GIS

Tools

GIS

Cityworks

Microsoft Office Suite

Excel

CMMS

Job description

Ready to join our team? We’d love to meet you!

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• Location 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd,Suite 200,South Bend, IN, 46601-1830,United States
• Base Pay $73,307.00 - $78,521.00 / Year
• Job Category Water Distribution, Cross Connection, Mapping
• Employee Type Full Time/Exempt
• Required Degree 4 Year Degree
• Manage Others Yes

POSITION SUMMARY

The Manager - Cross Connection & Water Loss is distinguished by its responsibilities for ensuring the City's compliance with local, state, and federal laws pertaining to the backflow prevention program including enforcement of standards and regulations found in state code, City ordinance, and the Uniform Plumbing Code for protecting water quality in the distribution system. This position is responsible for ensuring that the City of South Bend’s distribution assets are well maintained in record form. This shall include updating assets in GIS, paper form and in Cityworks. Must also update records, permits and utility verifications. This position is responsible for generating asset driven reporting.

This position supervises staff members assigned to the backflow prevention program as well as the Water Asset Specialist. This position is responsible for working with implementation of water loss control services including water audit validation, meter accuracy testing results review, distribution system leak detection results review and working with Water Quality for distribution system flushing. An employee in this class is expected to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment. The Manager - Cross Connection & Water Loss reports to the Director of Distribution who reviews work through meetings, conferences, and results achieved.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively supports the City’s and Division’s mission statements.
• Assists with hiring, training, team building and evaluation of water personnel.
• Ensure water distribution assets are well maintained, documented and updated.
• Supervise front office and backflow staff to ensure policies and procedures are followed.
• Updates and edits water assets in GIS, paper form and in Cityworks including document changes.
• Looks for and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Follow the City’s progressive discipline practices as necessary. Assumes administrative duties (vacation schedules, overtime assignments, record keeping and reporting) as necessary.
• Maintains schedules and reviews jobs for completeness and correctness.
• Record valve, hydrant and other information in work order management system and in GIS.
• Scan and edit maps in GIS, paper form and in Cityworks.
• Reviews maps and archived records for proper accuracy.
• Identifies requested information and provides staff and other city departments.
• Issue water service line demolition permits, hydrant usage permits and water tapping permits. Handle fees associated with the permits and work with the Manager - Construction & Maintenance, Manager - Meter Services and the Manager - Service Line Repair for scheduling and ordering materials.
• Assists the Engineering Department with water distribution record requests.
• Generates various high-quality cartographic and thematic maps and diagrams.
• Identifies and provides training for staff.
• Provides timely progress reporting to management on all performance data with regular updates on relevant issues.
• Must perform all job functions with honesty and professionalism.
• Must interact with coworkers fairly and with impartiality.
• Must have excellent communication skills to be able to communicate with vendors, customers and City of South Bend departments.
• 24 hour on-call for emergencies.
• Makes recommendations for continuous improvement of the processes and systems used in the distribution system.
• Support Construction and Maintenance, Service Line Repair, and Meter Service programs and assist covering their positions when they are off.
• Perform other duties and assume other responsibilities as apparent or as assigned.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

3 Employees

KNOWLEDGE/ABILITY

• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving abilities
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral
• Strong computer and software skills; Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Project, Excel, GIS, CMMS programs and the ability to learn any newly introduced programs.
• Knowledge of EPA and State of Indiana environmental water and local regulations.
• Strong operations background with specific technical knowledge of water distribution systems.
• Strong analytical skills .
• Ability to be a team player.
• Ability to be self-reliant and able to lead change.
• Must be physically capable of performing the position duties and working in adverse weather conditions.
• Must perform all job functions with honesty and professionalism.
• Ability to be self-motivated and work with very little direction and oversight.
• Ability to read and understand operational manuals, technical materials, instructions, and blueprints.
• Must be able to work around open and unprotected water.
• Must be able to plan and direct the work of others.
• Must be able to document personnel records.
• Must wear steel toed boots and winter wear as well as approved safety equipment as needed.

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATION

• Bachelor’s degree with work in public administration, environmental sciences, sanitary engineering or GIS.
• Considerable (3-5 years) full-time technical experience in enforcing or complying with federal, state, and/or local environmental regulations, including experience in administering a cross connection program.
• Considerable (3-5 years) experience in a lead/supervisory capacity in utility operations.
• Experience (3 years) in GIS environment and other enterprise data management systems.
• Considerable (3-5 years) experience of increasingly responsible experience in water, wastewater, environmental services or utility operations and maintenance is preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• A valid Indiana driver’s license is required.
• Must obtain an Indiana license for Backflow Tester when applicable.
• Must obtain an Indiana grade DSL Water Distribution System Operator Certification.
• Take the Indiana Finance Authority Water Loss Validation Course

UNION AFFILIATION

N/A

REQUIRED

Driver’s License (remove if not required)

Pre-Employment Drug Screen

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The City of South Bend is an at-will employer.

Requirements

Essential Duty: Uphold Core Values

All employees of the City of South Bend are expected to uphold and actively demonstrate the City's Core Values in their daily work, which are summarized below:

• Excellence– Deliver high-quality service and strive for continuous improvement.
• Accountability– Take ownership of responsibilities and outcomes.
• Innovation– Seek creative solutions and embrace new ideas.
• Inclusion– Promote a respectful, equitable, and welcoming environment.
• Empowerment– Support and encourage others to grow and succeed.

This duty is fundamental to fostering a positive workplace culture and delivering exceptional public service. These values shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire our work every day.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity Statement

The City of South Bend is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or tolerate harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs. We value and celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace for all employees.

Summary

Additional Information

• Bargaining/Non-Bargaining Non-Bargaining
• Division Public Works - Water Works
• Working Location Water Works Olive - 915 S. Olive