Engineering Technician 2

The Metropolitan District Commission•Hartford, CT

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) provides water supply, water pollution control, mapping, and household hazardous waste collection to eight member municipalities and drinking water to portions of additional non-member towns. The Engineering Technician 2 performs responsible engineering technical work involving utility construction plan and permit surveys and inspections, investigation of sanitary sewer, storm drain, and water service installations, and operation of survey and related equipment. The role makes decisions about survey instrument operation and construction inspection in accordance with established procedures and requires knowledge and skill in surveying, construction inspection, utility services, drafting, mapping, and administration of standard water and sewer construction plans and permits. The position carries out a broad range of construction inspection, surveying, utility marking, customer service, claims and account support, field investigation, permitting, mapping, drafting, and program coordination duties. Work is performed primarily outdoors and may involve responding to emergency calls after hours. Applicants must pass written and practical examinations to be considered for an interview.

Requirements

Associate's degree plus four years of construction, drafting, utility, or related experience.
Must be certified, or able to become certified within one year, as a Connecticut Backflow Prevention Tester, Cross-Connection Survey Inspector, and Connecticut Water Distribution System Operator Class I.
Valid driver's license.
Must pass a written examination with a score of at least 70 to advance to the practical examination; must pass both examinations to be considered for an interview and further point evaluation.
Knowledge of surveying and construction-inspection principles and practices, computer technology used in construction inspection, utility construction methods, plan review, and water and sewer systems and pipe design.
Ability to read and interpret plans and blueprints and inspect utility pipeline construction safely, effectively, efficiently, firmly, and tactfully.
Knowledge of cartography, geodesy, photogrammetry, automated mapping in a GIS environment, Arc Info, GIS mapping, and related software.
Knowledge of claims administration, public administration as applied to claims resolution, account clerical procedures supporting claims management, and basic plumbing and electrical work in residential and small commercial buildings.
Knowledge of procurement, contracting, work management, ESRI tools, databases and services, and SAP Sales and Distribution and SAP Project Systems reporting as relevant to department functions and projects.
Mathematical ability applicable to surveying and related operations; knowledge of standardized pipe-assessment procedures; and some knowledge of computerized mapping digitizing practices.
Good oral and written communication skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, town officials, vendors, contractors, consultants, and the public.
Ability to perform tasks requiring moderate physical effort, including lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects and materials weighing under 50 pounds.
Ability to perceive and discriminate visual and/or auditory cues or signals and communicate orally.

Responsibilities

Inspect standard and complex utility pipeline and building mechanical systems construction and materials; instruct contractors on construction practices and corrections; enforce inspection decisions; and oversee water, sewer, and force-main pressure tests.
Coordinate and track contracted construction programs, liaise between District engineers and contractors, lead inspection teams on assigned projects, guide less experienced inspectors, resolve outstanding construction deficiencies, and ensure complete project documentation.
Ensure work zones comply with MDC and OSHA safety standards.
Respond to Call Before You Dig requests; interpret records and use equipment to identify and mark utilities; document mark-outs using video, photographs, and GPS data.
Assist with delinquent-account collections, customer inquiries and complaints, payment schedules, service termination and restoration, claims follow-up, and court appearances on behalf of the District; assist with off-hours service shutoffs and restorations.
Monitor customer wastewater discharge compliance, calculate discharge fees, inspect cross-connections, survey facilities for hazardous-waste discharges, test backflow prevention devices, and identify and ensure implementation of corrective measures.
Investigate water contamination and service issues, including meter readings, excessive water use, leaks, and water quality, and determine corrective actions.
Conduct and document property surveys for sewer-backup prevention and water and sewer service-line programs; track assessments, permits, execution, and completion; coordinate contractors and required improvements.
Research and recommend properties for inflow, backwater-device, rainwater-disconnect, and similar programs; explain program implications to property owners, educate customers, review basic plumbing, coordinate installations, and follow up on complaints and solutions.
Operate survey equipment and participate in land-surveying parties; survey completed pipeline projects for line and grade; prepare as-built drawings and calculations; and, when assigned, lead a survey party.
Conduct horizontal, vertical, topographic, land, and boundary surveys; locate existing features and utilities; and address residential inquiries or disputes involving easements, rights-of-way, and property lines.
Prepare contracts and related documents, specifications, budgets, requisitions, bidder evaluations, and restoration schedules; administer permitting procedures; prepare assessment publications, liens, and District agendas; and answer questions about assessments, extensions, and related matters.
Confer with project engineering staff on real estate considerations, advise District personnel on assessment charges, provide customer financial information, and prepare financial data summaries and analyses as instructed.
Coordinate and maintain document-management files and engineering program activities with other divisions, town officials, vendors, consultants, and the public; inspect contractor invoices, coordinate property-owner reimbursements, and arrange follow-up inspections.
Inspect and analyze power-rodding and video-camera-surveillance data, identify sewer failure causes and corrective actions, perform hydrostatic tests, and conduct dye tests to locate defective sewers and drains.
Draft plans and related documents for engineering projects to District standards; interpret drafting requirements, research details, and inspect project areas or facilities as directed.
Research and compile mapping data; create and update map series; and generate DFX AutoCAD, Shape files, and Drawing files.
Perform related work as required.