Water Protection Specialist - Austin Water

City of Austin • Austin, TX

2d • $29 - $36 • Onsite

About The Position

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

ABOUT AUSTIN WATER: For over 100 years, Austin Water has been committed to providing safe, reliable, high-quality, and affordable water services to our customers. Today, we serve over 1,000,000 people in the Austin metropolitan area, across more than 548 square miles. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, we’re not just keeping up—we’re leading the way with sustainable infrastructure, advanced treatment technology, and environmental innovation. Austin Water consistently ranks among the best in the country when it comes to water quality. We also treat, return, and recycle wastewater in ways that protect environmental resources. Austin Water exceeds federal and state requirements for clean water and environmental compliance at our water and wastewater treatment plants.

Purpose: Under general supervision, this position reviews, examines, interprets, and enforces multiple, complex water protection regulations that govern cross connections, backflow prevention, auxiliary and reclaimed water systems, water wells, and private fire hydrant systems. These programs are politically sensitive and impactful to the environment and public health and are in accordance with authority delegated by EPA/TCEQ.

Requirements

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering, plus two (2) years of experience related to MEP/Utility design, construction, or inspections OR Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus six (6) years of experience in commercial plumbing, with experience in inspections, and Backflow Prevention Assembly installation or testing.
• Texas Class C Driver License.
• Texas Plumbing Inspector License, or the ability to obtain a plumbing inspector license within six (6) months of hire.
• Texas Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT) License, or ability to obtain a Texas license within six (6) months of hire.
• Must be able to obtain certification from the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) on the Uniform Plumbing Code or valid certification from the International Code Council (ICC) on the International Plumbing Code within six (6) months of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge and experience with plumbing codes, ordinances and regulations related to water protection, cross connection control, and back-flow prevention
• Ability to work with complex commercial and industrial plan sets and job specifications to determine code compliance
• Experience with commercial or industrial plumbing
• Current Master Plumbing License or the ability to obtain one within six (6) months of hire
• Experience working with auxiliary/alternate water systems such as rainwater, gray water, well water and reclaimed water
• Ability to demonstrate Basic computer skills in Microsoft 2019 Excel and Word, and the ability to learn new software and databases

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and conducts inspections of commercial and residential buildings and sites to ensure compliance with City, State, and Federal regulations.
• Identifies areas of non-compliance and advises contractors, design professionals, owners, and other parties of non-compliance; negotiates resolutions; and initiates enforcement proceedings of water protection and cross connection control issues of diverse scope and complexity.
• Interprets and explains City policies and procedures and provides technical information, training, guidance, and support to internal and external customers.
• Answers citizen and customer inquiries and complaints.
• Reviews plans, specifications, designs, and proposals with development representatives to achieve final plans in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Utilizes computerized software plan review programs and performs reviews of electronic or ink- or pencil-generated design, drawings, and maps.
• Performs research and analysis of applications, contracts, schedules, and other records to determine impact on proposed designs; assesses compliance with applicable regulations; makes recommendations for plan changes; and provides approvals.
• Conducts and reports on investigations and inspections of multiple water protection ordinances that include backflow prevention, cross connection control related activities, private fire hydrant complaints, auxiliary water systems, water wells, lake water protection, emergency incident actions, and other related events.
• Assists in case file preparation; initiates and participates in administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement proceedings; and provides testimony in legal proceedings for alleged violations of regulations.
• Participates in public outreach efforts, initiatives, task forces, and committees.
• Investigates water protection, backflow prevention, cross connection, private fire hydrant complaints, emergency events, incidents, actions, and other related situations.

Benefits

• Working with Austin Water provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees