Public Works Inspector - Water/Wastewater

City of Las Cruces; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Las Cruces seeks a Construction Inspector to inspect, evaluate, and review multiple projects during construction and upon completion for compliance with City codes and regulations. This role emphasizes on-site work, safety, and accurate record-keeping.

Responsibilities include plan interpretation, coordinating with contractors and engineers, gas-line inspections, and ensuring proper documentation for payments and progress. Strong customer-service skills are essential.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED and one year of civil engineering related experience.
• Public works inspection and laboratory testing experience is desirable.
• Education and experience may be substituted per City policy.

Responsibilities

• Review plans to identify corrections or additions where specs are not met.
• Inspect utility projects for adherence to plans, standards, and regulations.
• Coordinate and monitor utility installations for contract compliance.
• Quantify installations and verify invoices to aid timely payments.
• Ensure plans and permits are on site and test charts are compliant.
• Liaise with contractors, engineers, and the public to resolve issues.
• Inspect gas lines and services to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Coordinate with labs for soil, asphalt, and concrete tests.
• Provide excellent customer service for residents and businesses.
• Maintain project records and progress documentation.

Skills

Construction inspection

Plan interpretation

Regulatory compliance

Customer service

Safety awareness

Record keeping

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Nuclear densometer

Pressure test gauges

Drilling rigs

Job description

Nature of Work

Inspects, evaluates, and reviews multiple projects during construction and upon completion to ensure compliance with City codes, utility construction standards, approved plans, and all applicable local, state, and federal codes and regulations.

Work Situation Factors

Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, occasional work beyond normal business hours, and responding to customer issues. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.

Environmental Factors

Position functions primarily outdoors with exposure to varied weather and traffic conditions, heavy construction equipment, natural gas, potential cave-ins, radiation, chemicals, infectious diseases and high-pressure water lines. Protective clothing/devices include hard hat, ear plugs, eye protection, and safety shoes.

Physical Factors

Position involves moderate physical effort; ability to lift and carry items weighing up to fifty (50) pounds; kneeling, stooping, climbing, bending; moving into and out of ditches, trenches and manholes.

Position will be advertised as continuous until filled, with periodic review of applications. FIRST CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET ALL THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS. Meeting or exceeding the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

Full-Time; Regular; Non-Exempt Position

This position is a grade RN15.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Reviews plans to determine and order applicable corrections, substitutions, or additions where specifications have not been met related to quality, quantity, and methods of construction; performs inspections for all utility projects checking piping, fittings, wiring, and related construction activities ensuring adherence to plans and compliance with regulations and standards.
• Provides interpretation and analysis of pumps, motors, hydraulic valves, drilling, logging, diffuser, pipe welding, coating inspection and repair, X-rays, cathodic protection potential readings, pipeline fittings and installations, bedding and backfill around pipe, continuity test for tracing wire, purging procedures as per various regulations, and lighting, traffic control, and signal installations to maintain compliance with regulations and operator-qualified covered tasks.
• Coordinates, inspects, and monitors utility installations which may include pipe bedding, back filling, and sewer or water main operations to verify, approve, or deny installations based on contract compliance.
• Quantifies installations to determine reimbursement; maintains records and verifies invoices to assist in timely and accurate processing of payments; interviews contractor staff to insure proper payment for the type of work performed; documents construction project progress to measure and account for material quantities.
• Ensures approved plans and permits are on location and all test charts and as-builts are in compliance with specifications, notices and reports on Abnormal Operating Conditions and other construction concerns or issues.
• Serves as a liaison with contractors and City departments; works with contractors, engineers, and the general public to develop solutions on construction problems as they arise.
• Inspects and evaluates main gas lines and gas services; monitors the installation of gas pipe to residences and ensures poly gas lines are clear and within specifications; monitors elector fusion and stoppling work; reviews and checks drainage structures, soils, asphalt, and concrete to determine and communicate installation and design issues and coordinate required work with contractors.
• Demonstrates sound knowledge of pipelines, wiring infrastructure, traffic control and related equipment, utility line management, and safety regulations for all public works services.
• Coordinates and communicates with various testing labs for soil, asphalt, and concrete field tests to ensure quality testing procedures are followed; requests materials field tests when required or applicable; observes performance of test to determine accuracy; may conduct storm event inspections.
• Provides exceptional customer service for residential and commercial customers and the general public effectively communicating and handling concerns or problems with professionalism and expertise.

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED AND one (1) year experience performing functions related to civil engineering. Previous work experience in public works project field inspection and laboratory material testing is desirable. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.

Licenses/Certification(s)

Valid driver’s license is required. Certification may be required based on need: Roadway - NICET II Certification or TTCP Certification; Water - NM Level III Water (required) or Wastewater III (preferred); Department of Transportation (DOT) Operator Qualification (OQ) certification must be obtained within one (1) year of hire. If applicable, position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policies.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Knowledge of: construction methods and materials used in water and wastewater projects; construction of sewer mains, manholes, irrigation systems, and backflow devices; installation of natural gas lines; methods and procedures of field inspections and materials testing; codes, standards and specifications related to the construction of roadway (surface and subsurface) and drainage projects; construction practices, techniques, and materials used in the maintenance of roadway (surface and subsurface) and drainage projects, subdivisions, and private permits; occupational hazards and safety standards and practices applicable to construction sites; construction equipment necessary to complete the installations required such as lay down machines, welding and stoppling equipment, and drilling rigs for wells; equipment used to test installations to assure compliance such as nuclear densometer, pressure test gauges, and thickness gauges; principles, practices, techniques, activities, rules, and regulations related to the operations and functions of the position and services provided; current principles of record keeping and records management; principles and practices of effective research methods and data analysis, customer service, and problem resolution techniques; occupational and environmental safety and health hazards, and safety practices; safe and effective use and maintenance of related tools, materials, and equipment; current methods and standards for preparing effective business correspondence; correct English usage, grammar, composition, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary; business and personal computers and related software applications; City organization, operations, policies, and procedures to effectively perform the required functions and duties of the position.

Ability to: perform a variety of duties and responsibilities and assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands to meet deadlines; ensure appropriate levels of customer service to achieve expectations and meet objectives; read, understand, and assure compliance with a variety of policies, procedures, rules, standards, and regulations governing related activities and functions; read, understand, interpret, and ensure compliance with a variety of specifications, schematic drawings, blueprints, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations governing related activities, programs, and functions; effectively operate and obtain and interpret results from a variety of industry related tools, equipment, meters, and devices; analyze traffic control requirements in roadway construction areas for compliance; make decisions and adjustments in accordance with construction plans/specifications and City policies/procedures; make mathematical calculations to measure quantities of completed work, calculate surface areas, lineal distances, and volumes of measured quantities; verify calculations submitted for compliance and accuracy; collect applicable information and maintain accurate and timely records; maintain confidentiality of information and data; communicate effectively orally and in writing and use interpersonal skills to sufficiently exchange or convey information and receive work direction; prepare and present accurate and reliable information and reports; establish and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public; safely and effectively operate relevant tools, equipment, and motorized vehicles; navigate across even and uneven surfaces; timely and accurately enter data and update records using various mediums and formats; take initiative and exercise sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines and carry out primary responsibilities in accordance with all governing regulations, statutes, and procedures to ensure achievement of goals and objectives.

Skills in: reading, understanding, and applying relevant rules, ordinances, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures; effectively managing assignments; responding to inquiries timely and within the scope of delegated authority; responding appropriately, maintaining objectivity and freedom from prejudice, and exercising sound judgment and understanding in all interactions; effectively working independently, or as a team member, in various environments with changing priorities; preparing and presenting various reports, documents, forms, and correspondence; researching information, analyzing data, maintaining accurate records, and updating information in various mediums and formats; operating a personal computer with installed generic and specialized software; preparing and presenting information in a clear and concise manner; demonstrating appropriate and effective interpersonal communication and conflict resolution skills; performing highly effective support in assigned areas.

As per provisions specified in the individual contract or grant.