Utility Construction Inspector

An employee in this class performs inspections of construction projects to enforce local, state and federal laws, ordinances, specifications, and standards. Performs responsible technical work in construction inspections of water and sewer lines and appurtenances. Work includes reviewing construction plans, corresponding and/or meeting with engineers and/or contractors to review specifications and requirements, inspecting construction in progress and upon completion for adherence to approved laws, ordinances, plans, and specifications. Work may subject the employee to environmental conditions including working in both inside and outside environments, extreme temperatures, and construction noise, dusts, mists, fumes and related hazards. Work is performed under regular supervision and is evaluated based on conferences, review of records, and adherence of work inspected to adopted plans and specifications.
Hiring Range: $54,216.00

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

• Assists in review of plans and construction drawings for proper location of valves, hydrants, laterals, manholes, water and sewer lines, and other appurtenances; reviews plans for adherence to adopted engineering specifications such as depth, grade, locations, materials, and construction methods; participates in pre-construction meetings; makes lists of construction quality and expectations.
• Meets with contractors and reviews and explains construction requirements including safety and erosion control as well as materials, standards, and plans; works with contractors and engineers on remediation strategies for non-conforming construction or methods.
• Inspects construction work in progress and upon completion for adherence to approved plans and specifications; checks manholes for smoothness to prevent blockages; checks for proper grade and materials; takes samples of soils and materials and has compaction, density and other tests performed; insures proper use of construction safety signage and implementation of safety precautions.
• Oversees chlorination and flushing of lines by contractors; checks water pressure, collects water samples and transports to lab; performs or supervises pressure testing of water lines and smoke and air testing of sewer lines.
• Maintains daily log of work activities and field findings; insures that as-builts are submitted upon completion of project; indicates recommendation for acceptance of new lines and systems; completes chlorination reports.
• Gathers field data and information and performs calculations and drawings for construction projects; reviews construction bid documents and proposals and make suggestions; reviews invoices for consistency with completed work.
• Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Graduation from a two year technical school or community college with a major in civil engineering, engineering technology, drafting, design, or related field and related enforcement, inspection, construction or engineering experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license.

• Considerable knowledge of water and sewer line construction techniques, processes, and materials, and the ability to determine whether design specifications are being met.
• Considerable knowledge of street, sidewalk, and storm drainage system construction techniques, processes and materials, and the ability to determine whether design specifications are being met.
• Considerable knowledge of engineering specifications and standards relating to water and sewer line and pumping station construction.
• Some knowledge of the application of information technology to surveying, drafting, GIS, and office work.
• Skill in collaborative conflict resolution.
• Ability to perform materials and construction tests, interpret results, and to disinfect lines.
• Ability to read and interpret laws, ordinances, plans, specifications, and blueprints and to compare them with various aspects of construction in progress.
• Ability to operate surveying and drafting equipment.
• Ability to detect errors in construction materials and projects.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, developers, construction workers, the general public, and other employees; ability to exercise tact and firmness in the enforcement of requirements and successful conflict resolution strategies.
• Ability to plan and organize own work and maintain the necessary records and reports.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational support functions of stooping, reaching, standing, walking, pulling, lifting, grasping, fingering, talking, and hearing. Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Must possess the visual acuity to maintain records and reports, inspect work for quality of methods and materials, operate a computer terminal and use measuring devices.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The employee works both inside as well as outside where the employee is subject to extreme temperatures, noise, vibrations, proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, exposure to chemicals, fumes, dusts, mists, gasses and poor ventilation. Job duties may require working in confined spaces. The work the employee performs around raw sewage is subject to the final OSHA standards on blood borne pathogens. The employee is also subject to standby and call-back requirements