Drain Inspector

Ottawa County•West Olive, MI

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general supervision, locates and inspects County and non-county drains to identify and remedy obstructions, damage, deterioration and other sources of drain failure. Coordinates repair, replacement and modification of existing drains, and represents the county's interests in the construction of new drains. Assists in fulfilling the county's mandated obligations under the provisions of the Michigan Drain Code (PA 40 of 1956) and the implementation and enforcement of the federal Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act, Part 91 of P.A. 451, 1994 as amended. This is a full-time, benefitted position based out of the Water Resources Commissioner's office located at 12220 Fillmore Street, West Olive, MI 49460. Typical working hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Requirements

Associate's degree in Construction Management, engineering technology, hydrology, environmental science or other relevant field and two years of progressively responsible experience in maintenance of storm drains and/or soil conservation structures and devices, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Satisfactory completion of the State of Michigan Erosion Control Training Program within six (6) months of the date of hire.
Valid State of Michigan Motor Vehicle Operator's Permit to operate County vehicles.
Thorough working knowledge of the substantive and procedural requirements, rules and regulations of the Michigan Drain Code.
Thorough working knowledge of applied hydrology and hydrogeology.
Thorough working knowledge of drain construction practices and principles.
Thorough working knowledge of soil stabilization and runoff detention principles, practices and techniques.
Working knowledge of surveying principles and practices.
Ability to write specifications for drain maintenance projects and evaluate bids received for conformance to specifications and accuracy of cost estimates.
Good working knowledge of environmental science theories and applications.
Ability to read and interpret blue prints, engineering diagrams and drawings, construction plans and GIS maps.
General computer literacy and user knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, database management and GIS applications.
Well-developed human relations, communication and interpersonal skills.
Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize the workload.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to interact positively and professionally with property owners, real estate developers, engineers, construction contractors, site superintendents, heavy equipment operators, local government employees and members of the general public from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and with widely divergent communications skills.
Must possess sufficient mobility with or without assistive devices to access natural and man-made drains located in urban and rural terrain, including heavily wooded and remote sites at significant distances from roads and other accessways.
Must have sufficient visual acuity with or without corrective lenses to visually inspect drains and components thereof for damage, deterioration and obsolescence; and for obstructions including sedimentation deposits resulting from soil erosion.
Must be able to descend to and ascend from ground level to inspect drains and soil and hydrogeological site features.
Must be able to move surveying equipment weighing up to 30 lbs between vehicles and survey sites and have sufficient strength and manual dexterity to properly assemble equipment for use.
Must have sufficient strength to move manhole covers weighing up to 75 lbs in order to inspect urban drains.
Must have sufficient auditory acuity with or without audiological appliances to hear warning sounds signaling movement of vehicles and equipment on construction sites.
Must be able to tolerate exposure to inclement weather conditions.
Must be able to tolerate exposure to dust, dirt, pollen, heavy equipment exhausts, cement dust and other airborne particulates on construction sites.

Responsibilities

Locates and inspects County and other public and private drains in response to complaints or concerns from property owners and/or in the aftermath of severe weather events.
Evaluates major obstructions, damage, deterioration and/or obsolescence of drains and/or components thereof, and prepares specifications for removal, repair, reconstruction and/ or alteration projects.
Removes debris, detritus and other readily managed obstructions from drains.
Prepares requests for proposals, solicits bids and contracts with authorized vendors for drain maintenance projects.
Secures the services of consulting engineers to design and develop specifications for drain maintenance and reconstruction projects.
Contacts local units of government for approval of drain maintenance projects costing in excess of the statutorily authorized maximum per mile annual drain assessment.
Inspects completed drain maintenance to ensure work meets with the standards and specifications of the Water Resources Commissioner/contract requirements/construction plans and recommends payment for services.
Reviews requests for permits to cross existing drains with driveways and other accessways to ensure that planned culverts provide sufficient elevation and diameter to permit unimpeded stormwater drainage and issues permits.
Reviews requests for permits to extend utilities across or along drains, ensuring that utility lines will be placed at sufficient depths or distances from drains to prevent damage to their integrity and issues permits.
Prepares application and required documentation to obtain permits to work in the highway/road right-of way, perform drain maintenance, and any additional project specific permits.
Serves as Ottawa County's representative for public and private drain construction projects, participates in pre-construction meetings, and accepts or requests rework of finished construction before adding a drain to the county's jurisdiction.
Documents inspections with field notes, drawings and photographs and prepares written inspection reports.
Maps locations and dimensions of drains in hydrology layer of the county GIS system, and edits hydrology data.
Assists in the implementation of the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act and Federal Clean Water Act Phase II Stormwater Permit Program, performing inspections and collection and testing of discharge samples as required.
Participates in the response to stormwater runoff emergencies, including collecting and compiling documentation required for applications for state and federal disaster declarations.
Receives and responds to requests for information and assistance and/or complaints with respect to flood control and water quality management issues.
Performs other functions as assigned.