Water Protection Specialist or Specialist Senior

Job Description:

Water Protection Specialist or Specialist Senior

Description

Minimum Qualifications
This position will be filled at one of the following levels depending upon candidate qualifications:


Water Protection Specialist:

• 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.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• 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.

Water Protection Specialist Senior:

• 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 four (4) years of experience related to MEP /Utility design, construction, or inspection.
• Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for experience up to a maximum of two (2) years.
  OR
• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus eight (8) years of experience in commercial plumbing, with experience in inspections, and Backflow Prevention Assembly installation or testing.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Texas Class “C” Driver License.
• Texas Plumbing Inspector License at time of hire.
• Texas Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester License ( BPAT ), or the 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.

Notes to Applicants


Position Overview:
Water Protection Specialist: Under general supervision this position will be involved in commercial and residential backflow prevention and cross connection control, and auxiliary/alternative water system regulation, in accordance with authority delegated by EPA / TCEQ .
Water Protection Specialist Senior: Under minimal supervision and using advanced knowledge, this position develops, implements, and enforces the regulations governing cross connections, back flow prevention, and auxiliary/alternative water systems such as: water wells, rainwater, and reclaimed water. The position is also responsible for the development and enforcement of the City of Austin private fire hydrant program and the City of Austin lake water protection program. These positional duties are enforced under authority delegated by EPA / TCEQ .

Critical Position:
This position has been designation as critical for the City of Austin. Critical positions are necessary and vital and support activities that impact City or department operations. Work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees may be reassigned to another area to provide essential services to support any extraordinary situations or emergency conditions.

Salary:
These positions will be filled at the Water Protection Specialist or Water Protection Specialist Senior levels, depending upon qualifications.
Water Protection Specialist: $28.29 - $34.80/hour, commensurate.
Water Protection Specialist Senior: $30.70 | $38.37/hour, commensurate.


Working with Austin Water provides a number of benefits including medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

When completing the City of Austin employment application:

• Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
• A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job title and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered.
• A resume is required but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Please do not use the phrase “see resume” or refer to other documents to complete your application. Do not leave the “Duties and Responsibilities” sections blank. These will be considered incomplete applications. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• A cover letter is also required. In the cover letter, candidates should describe in concise detail their interest in this position and highlight any prior experience that is relevant to this position.

If you are selected to interview:
Your skill level in some of the competency areas for this job will be assessed through skills testing with a required minimum passing score of 70%.

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution and proof of your professional licenses or certifications.
• If you are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
• A criminal background investigation is required.

Secondary Employment:

• All Austin Water employees are prohibited from accepting or engaging in any secondary employment that might conflict or interfere with an employee’s duty and responsibility to the Department.
• Austin Water must review all secondary employment.
• Employees are required to submit a Secondary Employment Application for review and approval upon being hired with Austin Water, as well as current Austin Water employees considering secondary employment.

Driving Requirement:
This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. This position will be required to travel and report to other Austin Water/City of Austin worksites.

Effective October 1, 2014, all Austin Water worksite locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any AW worksite - including construction sites, parking lot, garage or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.
Pay Range
See Notes to Applicants
Hours

• Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. with some flexibility.
• Hours may vary based on business needs.
• This position requires on-call availability in certain situations. This position may be required to work night, weekend and holiday shifts.

Job Close Date 02/26/2025 Type of Posting External Department Austin Water Utility Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 3907 S Industrial Dr, Austin, TX 78744 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• 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 2016 Excel and Word, and the ability to learn new software and databases
• Comfortable presenting to groups and representing an organization a a subject matter expert
• Bilingual in English and Spanish

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
This position is posted at multiple levels. Please select the appropriate job description. Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.


Water Protection Specialist
Water Protection Specialist Senior
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
This position is posted at multiple levels. Please select the appropriate job description. Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.


Water Protection Specialist
Water Protection Specialist Senior
Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for the Water Protection Specialist position requires: 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. Do you meet these qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires the following Licenses and Certifications: 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. Do you meet these requirements?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License. Do you have a valid Texas Class C Driver License or, if selected for this position, do you have the ability to acquire a valid Texas Class C Driver License by your hire date?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that external new hires meet the City's Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three (3) moving violations or a total of six (6) Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* How many years of professional plumbing experience do you have?

• Less than (2) years
• 2-6 years
• 6-10 years
• 10+ years

* Please indicate your plumbing licensure status, as obtained through the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.

• Current Master Plumber License
• Current Plumbing Inspector License
• Current Plumbing Inspector & Master Plumber License
• None of the above

* Which of the following best describes your Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT) licensure status, as obtained through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality?

• Have a current Texas Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT) License
• Do not have a current Texas Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT) License but able to obtain one within six (6) months of employment
• Do not have a current Texas Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT) License and not able to obtain one within six (6) months of employment

* Which of the following best describes your level of plumbing experience, specifically with public/municipal inspections and backflow prevention assembly testing?

• No experience in public/municipal inspections or as a licensed Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT)
• At least one (1) year but less than three (3) years experience in public/municipal inspections and/or at least one (1) year but less than three (3) years experience as a licensed Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT)
• Three (3) or more years experience in public/municipal inspections and/or three (3) or more years experience as a licensed Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT)
• Five (5) or more years experience in public/municipal inspections and/or five (5) or more years experience as a licensed Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT)

* Please indicate if you hold any related certifications obtained through the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) or the International Code Council.

• Hold a valid certification on the Uniform Plumbing Code
• Hold a valid certification on the International Plumbing Code
• Hold valid certifications on both the Uniform Plumbing Code and the International Plumbing Code
• None of the above

* This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Check.

* Were you referred to this opportunity by an Austin Water employee? If yes, please provide the employee’s full name.
(Open Ended Question)


Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents