Utilities Inspector

City of Downey; Downey (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Downey seeks a Utilities Inspector to perform field support and detailed inspections of water, sewer, and stormwater projects. You will prepare daily reports, verify conformance with plans and permits, and coordinate with contractors and city staff to ensure project quality.

The role requires reading plans, understanding testing data, and enforcing safety measures; a California Grade Two Water Distribution Operator Certificate is required within 12 months, with a valid driver’s license

Qualifications

• Knowledge of water, sanitary sewer and stormwater construction and inspection practices.
• Reading and interpreting plans, specifications, and test reports.
• Experience with public works construction inspection is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform field inspections to ensure conformance with plans, specs, and permits.
• Prepare daily inspection reports, field forms, and documentation Photos/videos as needed.
• Coordinate with contractors, City staff, consultants, and the public.
• Assist in contract administration related matters and progress payments.
• Inspect and monitor safety measures and traffic control per project requirements.
• Read and interpret plans, specs, submittals, and test data; document changes.

Skills

Reading plans and specs

Analytical decision making

Communication with stakeholders

Safety and regulatory awareness

Field inspection experience

Ability to interpret testing reports

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Coursework in Water/Sewer/Stormwater/Engineering

Tools

Desktop/mobile computer applications

Job description

In addition to the above compensation, this position is eligible for certificate level one pay for incumbents that maintain a CWEA Grade 1 and/or D1/T1 at a rate of $115 per month, certificate level two pay for incumbents that maintain a CWEA Grade 2 and/or D2/T2 at a rate of $265 per month, and certificate level three pay for incumbents that maintain a CWEA Grade 3 and/or D3/T3 at a rate of $295 per month.

Effective the start of the pay period that includes April 28, 2027, employees will receive a four percent (4.0%) across the board pay range increase. Additional four percent (4.0%) increase on April 2028, April 2029.

Under general supervision, performs field support and detailed inspections of Utilities Division construction and maintenance projects to ensure conformance with approved plans and specifications, applicable laws, regulations, and permits; prepares daily inspection reports and documents field changes; attends meetings and coordinates with Division staff, other City staff, contractors, and the public; assists Division staff in contract administration related matters; operates field and office computerized equipment as needed.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

The Utilities Inspector performs journey-level duties. Incumbents ensure Utilities Division construction and maintenance improvements are built in accordance with applicable project and Division standards through field inspection. Under general supervision, incumbents in this class are expected to learn the Division’s standards, and perform inspection assignments in the construction and maintenance of the City’s water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure. The work involves accountability and independent decision-making.

Monitor and inspect water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater construction and maintenance projects and programs to ensure conformance with approved plans, specifications, applicable laws, regulations, and permits.

Inspect installation of various Utilities Division improvements including but not to: potable and recycled water pipelines and associated fittings, valves, and appurtenances; sanitary sewer pipelines, spot repairs, liners, associated fittings, manholes, and appurtenances; stormwater pipelines, fittings, manholes, junction structures, dry wells, infiltration basins, bioswales, and appurtenances; groundwater wells rehabilitations; asphalt concrete (AC) and Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavement reconstruction; and reconstruction of miscellaneous PCC and other improvements disturbed by Utilities Division projects.

Read and interpret construction plans, specifications, material submittals, survey data, soils compaction testing, and other test reports and documentation.

Gather and verify data and information through field observation and prepare daily inspection reports, extra work reports, field forms, spreadsheets, sketches and redline markups of field changes and conditions, photos, videos, and other documentation as deemed necessary.

Calculate and record quantities of bid items and materials used for daily inspection reports; coordinate bid item quantities completed with contractors for monthly progress payments.

Inspect and document labor, materials, and equipment used for labor compliance, time and material work, and conformance with project requirements.

Issue corrective work notices and prepare and inspect completion of punch list items.

Coordinate with contractors, subcontractors, Division and City staff, consultants, vendors, utility companies, regulatory agencies, and public as necessary throughout the course of construction and maintenance projects and programs.

Attend and help coordinate preconstruction, progress, and as-needed meetings to ensure construction and maintenance improvements adhere to Division standards.

Inspect, monitor, and coordinate corrections to contractor pedestrian safety and construction safety measures to ensure compliance with applicable safety standards/regulations and traffic control measures for compliance with project requirements.

Inspect and monitor testing of various Utilities Division improvements for compliance with project requirements including but not limited to: hydrostatic and air pressure testing of pipelines; disinfection and bacteriological testing of potable water pipelines, compaction testing, asphalt and concrete testing, spark testing of manholes, CCTV review of various pipelines, and flow testing of concrete flatwork.

Perform other related duties as assigned. Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required skills, knowledge and abilities to successfully perform in the position would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the skills, knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: High school graduate or equivalent. Recently completed college level coursework in Water, Sanitary Sewer, Stormwater, Public Works Construction, Engineering, or related field is desired.

Experience: Four (4) years of full-time public works construction and operation and maintenance inspection experience with emphasis on Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater performing the essential functions listed above is required.

Work experience within, or overseeing work of, a municipal water, sewer, and/or stormwater agency or district is preferred.

Knowledge of: Working knowledge of water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater construction and inspectionmethods, materials, practices, equipment, testing, surveying, plans and specifications, trenching, pedestrian and traffic safety, AC and PCC pavement reconstruction, compaction principles and methods; Laws, statutes, codes, standards, and specifications governing public works projects including American Water Works Association (AWWA), Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction (SSPWC), Standard Plans for Public Works Construction(SPPWC), American Society for Testing and Materials Standards (ASTM), and National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO); Desktop and mobile computer applications; Basic practices of civil engineering and/or mathematics to include the principles of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Ability to: Read, analyze, and interpret plans, specifications, compaction and other testing reports, survey data, material and equipment submittals, design calculations, and related source documents; Interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, and standards; inspect a wide variety of water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater improvement projects for conformance with required standards; Detect faulty materials and workmanship; Understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions; communicate information accurately and effectively both orally and in writing; analyze problems and prepare written and oral reports; maintain advanced filing systems; maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with those encountered in the performance of duties; Operate desktop and mobile computers and equipment and use applicable software programs; Operate and use general field equipment and measuring tools; Work in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Certification: A State of California Grade Two (2) Water Distribution Operator Certificate is required within twelve (12) months of appointment.

Highly qualified applicants that currently possess the required certifications shall be considered desirable in the selection process.

License Required: Due to the performance of field duties, the ability to operate a City vehicle may be required; therefore a valid California Class C Driver’s License and acceptable driving record at time of appointment and throughout employment in the position is required.

California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice System: An incumbent appointed to this position is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program. The Pull Notice program provides information on the incumbent’s driving record and Driver’s License status on a periodic basis to the City of Downey. An employee assigned a City vehicle must acknowledge receipt and understanding of City Administrative Regulations covering the use of City vehicles.

PHYSICAL TASKS/ABILITIES

Physical mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties assigned.

Ability to drive a City vehicle or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation to travel to different work sites and locations to carry out job-related duties.

Ability to stand for long periods and/or walk long distances. Some walking may occur on sloping, slippery and/or uneven surfaces.

Mobility to sit, stand, kneel, crawl, climb, crouch, stoop, reach, twist, and bend.

Ability to twist at the lower body, at the waist, and at the upper body.

Mobility of both arms to reach and dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate small and large objects or tools, from overhead to the ground positions.

Perform work, which involves hand/arm and upper/lower body dexterity to grasp, lift, push, pull, move and drag objects, which may weigh up to 25 pounds.

Based on job assignment, required to wear protective apparel including hardhats, gloves, goggles, respirators, face protectors, ear protection, aprons, coveralls, and steel-toed shoes.

Based on job assignment, may be required to work at heights above ground level.

Utilities Division job assignments may require work in confined spaces and wearing of required protection devices for confined space entry.

Based on job assignment, may use tools requiring hand, arm, and upper body strength including but not limited to the following: shovels, rakes, lutes, hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, chisels, scrapers, crowbars, pry-bars, manhole picks, survey equipment.

Required to respond to emergency situations, during on and off regular hours of work.

Work performed in an office environment requires the performance of duties which require the ability to speak, hear, touch and see. Also required is the ability to exert a small amount of physical effort in sedentary to light work involving moving from one area to another; occasionally bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing and pulling (drawers opened and closed to retrieve and file information); occasionally lifting and carrying materials that weigh less than 25 pounds. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator; requires sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements, such as typing on a keyboard, filing, data entry and/or use of a personal computer or other office equipment and supplies; may involve sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS/EXPOSURES

Work is primarily performed outdoors in the field with exposure to the weather. Based on job assignment, exposures may also include: contact with hot and cold surfaces, loud noises and exhaust fumes from equipment and vehicle engines, vibrations, working in close proximity to moving mechanical parts (mechanical hazards), electrical current (electrical hazards), vehicular traffic and confined spaces; and, contact with potential natural irritants such as vegetation, dust, soil, tree pollens, sawdust, etc. The incumbent stands and walks on level and uneven/slippery surfaces. Other work is performed in an office environment with moderate noise levels.

Based on job assignment, may be exposed to chemicals including but not limited to: gasoline, diesel, motor oil, grease, paint thinner, strippers, solvents, ammonia, bleach, cleansers, volatile organic compounds, fertilizers and non-restricted pesticides.