Job Description

Overview

Join Spartanburg Water and you'll reap the rewards of a career in a stable industry dedicated to the protection of public health and the environment. We look for the best and expect the best in our workforce, and for our community. We promote a positive work/life balance. We're members of the South Carolina Retirement System, offer excellent benefits, a competitive starting salary with paid vacation and paid sick time as well as opportunities for advancement.

Job Skills / Requirements

Under regular supervision, inspects construction, materials and operations to determine compliance with applicable regulatory codes, standards and permit conditions as well as with approved plans and specifications. Provides support in GIS through enhancing, expanding, and maintaining the Geographic Information System (GIS). This includes, but is not limited to, electronic data collection (GPS), attributing, data-entry, editing, scanning, archiving scans and developing GIS datasets all within a GIS environment using ESRI software products. Performs related duties as assigned. Reports to the Engineering Operations Manager.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Conducts preliminary field surveys to determine the company’s ability to provide service to the customer. Establishes location of existing water or sewer and verifies geographical relationship to proposed service area using a collection of electronic record drawings, maps, electronic locating equipment, Global Positioning System (GPS), and other data to present field sketches to the Design Engineer.

Uses various pieces of equipment and devices to collect field data for water lines and sewer line extensions, establishes beginning and ending points, and creates comprehensive field sketches as needed to provide accurate distances while reflecting all probable conflicts with the ability to construct a water or sewer line extension.

Uses a variety of pressure recorders, pressure gauges, and flow diffusion devices to determine the availability of water to a service area and attaches a pressure recording device on one or more hydrants while flowing other hydrants to create a demand on the system. Records pressure readings from all points to submit to the Design Engineer.

Provides right-of-way information on field drawings and verifies when critical for design location of proposed water or sewer lines. Confirms right-of-way limits and horizontal control have been properly established by contractors. Confirms vertical control is achieved by contractor to install pipelines to proper grade.

Executes accurate topographic surveys using various surveying tools such as a level, transit, rod, etc., to create sewer line profiles for sewer line extension projects, waterway crossings for water line extensions, cross sections of all types of terrain, and records data maintaining required error tolerance on all enclosures.

Collects field data for record drawings by creating a detailed as-built drawing, as needed of water or sewer line construction installed by SWS or SSSD forces. Utilizes GIS software to capture system modifications. Copies and distributes drawings for permanent records.

Inspects water and sewer line construction projects, including excavations and trench preparations, installation of and safeing up of pipe, installation of manholes and service laterals, air release valve pits and valves, concrete thrust blocking, rodding of fittings, roadway repairs, etc.

Is responsible for checking materials at job site for visible defects and conformity to specifications. Detects discrepancies between design plans and actual field conditions on routine construction projects. Reviews and verifies compliance of pipeline plans as well as installation methodologies for pipe with requirements of project such as DHEC, highway and county roads, railroads, etc. Inspects water and sewer line construction projects. Collects daily field measured data for as-built drawings and provides information to the GIS/Drafting Technician.

Maintains status of project by populating project milestones, daily logs,and communications in the Project Information Management System (PIMS) database.

Covers pre-construction checklist items during preconstruction conferences. Receives and checks “cut sheets” prior to construction. Communicates with property owners before construction begins. Ensures right-of-way and other areas disturbed during the construction process are properly cleaned and dressed up. Coordinates special construction or design problems with the Project Manager.

Maintains integrity of existing water distribution system by operating main line service valves for filling and testing new water main extensions, large metered services, fire service lines, etc., and by monitoring the disinfection / chlorination of new water main extensions, large metered services, etc.

Monitors integrity of existing water distribution system while contractors make large-diameter wet taps on water mains for water line extensions, metered services and fire lines, etc.

Reviews as-built drawings and mylars received from consulting engineers and/or GIS/Drafting Technicians to ensure field changes are properly recorded.

Observes test procedures of installed sewer pipe and/or manholes with water and/or air pressure.

Observes and approves hydrostatic test of installed water and force mains. Observes chlorination of test water mains. Calculates the amount of chlorine required to result in proper chlorine residual.

Performs preliminary inspections and notifies supervisor to Project Manager that projects are ready for DHEC and in-house inspections.

Performs on-site inspections of construction of large service meter pits and fire service pits ensuring the construction of the pit meets SWS standards and that the meter assembly and/or backflow devices are installed properly.

Visually inspects sewer service connections to the main sewer system and approves or rejects the connection based on DHEC rules and regulations, company standards, and policies.

Receives, reviews, prepares and processes various forms and documents to include PIMS (Project database), field data requests, record drawings, specifications, construction drawings, construction permits, lab reports, field data drawings, hydrant flow tests, recording charts, sewer tap reports, utility locating record, as-built drawings, hydrostatic test reports, air test reports, etc.

Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals to include supervisors, co-workers, project managers, crew foremen, contractors, customers, engineer, other utilities, developers, property owners, etc.

Operates a vehicle and various technical equipment, including but not limited to pipe locators, metal detector, measuring wheel, pressure recorder, survey level and transit, gauges, chlorine comparator, dead weight tester, atmospheric monitor, hose diffusion devices, drafting instruments, global positioning system (GPS) operates a computer, calculator, copier, telephone.

Performs other related duties as required.

Education Requirements (Any)

Associates Degree

Additional Information / Benefits

MINIMUM TRAINING & EXPEREINCE

Field Tech I - Requires an Associates Degree in Civil Engineering with five to eleven months related experience; or any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities or other scientific/technical field, and a combined minimum of six months GIS experience (ArcView, ArcGIS, ArcINFO, PC ArcINFO).. Must possess a valid driver's license.

Field Tech II - Requires an Associate’s degree in civil engineering supplemented by two years of experience in engineering / construction inspection or other related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities, or other scientific/technical field, and a combined minimum of two (2) years GIS experience (ArcView, ArcGIS, ArcINFO, PC ArcINFO). Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Field Tech III - Requires an Associate’s degree in civil engineering supplemented by eight years of experience in engineering / construction inspection or other related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities, or other scientific/technical field, and a combined minimum of three (3) years GIS experience (ArcView, ArcGIS, ArcINFO, PC ArcINFO). Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Benefits: Medical Insurance, Life Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Paid Vacation, Paid Sick Days, Paid Holidays, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, 401K/403b Plan, Pension/Retirement, Educational Assistance