Water Protection Specialist Senior

Job Description:

Water Protection Specialist Senior

Description

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

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. Our guiding principles-Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - anchor our approach in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austin residents. 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.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
• Diverse and Inclusive Workplace: Work in an environment where every voice is valued, and Innovation thrives.
  
• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
  
• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
  
• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
  
• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
  
• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments designed to foster collaboration and inspiration.
  

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

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.

Job Description:

Purpose:

Under minimal supervision, this position reviews, implements, and enforces the 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.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Coordinates, directs, 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 issues; negotiates resolutions; and initiates enforcement proceedings of water protection and cross connection control issues of diverse scope and complexity.
  
• Performs comprehensive review of proposals to existing structures and new construction and negotiates plan specifications with development representatives to achieve final plans that comply with applicable regulations.
  
• Performs research and analysis of applications, contracts, schedules, and other records to determine impact on proposed designs, assess compliance with applicable regulations, and make recommendations for plan changes and provide approvals.
  
• Utilizes computerized software plan review programs and performs reviews of electronic or ink- or pencil-generated design, drawings, and maps.
  
• 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.
  
• Responds to public inquiries, interprets and explains City policies and procedures, and provides technical information and guidance to internal and external customers.
  
• Conducts case file preparation; initiates and participates in administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement proceedings; and provides testimony in legal proceedings.
  
• Researches, develops, recommends, and/or implements changes to policies, procedures, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
  
• Develops, implements, and participates in public outreach efforts, training, initiatives, task forces, and committees; and conducts and makes presentations for internal and external customers.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• Provide leadership, training, guidance, and technical support to others
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

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.

• Knowledge of applicable State, Local, and Federal regulations.
  
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
  
• Knowledge of standard plumbing standards, practices, and procedures.
  
• Knowledge of architectural and engineering principles and practices.
  
• Knowledge of various phases of the plans review and inspection processes.
  
• Knowledge of construction practices.
  
• Skill in oral and in written communication of code requirements to contractors, developers, and the public.
  
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
  
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
  
• Skill in preforming complex data analysis to determine compliance or deviation from applicable codes and problem solving.
  
• Skill in planning and organizing.
  
• Skill in providing leadership, training, guidance, and technical support.
  
• Ability to conduct research.
  
• Ability to provide customer service and problem solving.
  
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with City employees and the public.
  
• Ability to meet and maintain driver eligibility standards detailed in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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 and Certifications Required:

• 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.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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
  
• 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
  
• Current Master Plumber License with Water Supply Protection Specialist Endorsement or current TCEQ-issued Customer Service Inspector License, or the ability to obtain either license within six (6) months of hire.
  

Notes to Candidate:

Position Overview: 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 lake water protection program. These positional duties are enforced under authority delegated by EPNTCEQ.

Pay Range:

$30.70 - $38.37 per hour

Position(s) will be filled at the following location: Glen Bell Service Center: 3907 S Industrial Dr, Austin, TX 78744

Days and Hours:

• Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM
  
• Flexible after probationary period
  

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 - click HERE for more information. Additionally, this position offers a career progression plan, which provides a unique opportunity to promote without having to go through the competitive process. As employees go through on-the-job training to develop new skills and abilities and obtain the appropriate license, they are eligible to submit for Career Progression, which allows them to demonstrate knowledge and skills without having to interview for the promotion.

When completing the City of Austin employment application:

• 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.
  
• Provide each job title and accurate employment dates for all jobs included on the application.
  
• Your work history should include the duties you performed, any supervisory or lead responsibilities, and any equipment and computer software used.
  
• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
  
• A résumé is required but will not substitute for a complete employment application. 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 skills and competencies for this job will be assessed prior to being invited to interview. A 70% or above on all the assessments is required to be considered for the next step.
  

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.
  

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.
  

Travel:

• If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
  

Critical Employee:

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.

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.
  

90-day Provision:

This posting may be used to fill additional vacancies that occur within the department

Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. Please note that the Department may close the job posting at any time after 7 days.

All Austin Water worksite locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any Austin Water worksite - including construction sites, parking lot, garage or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

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.

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.

Closing Date/Time: 2025-10-21