ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN en City of Columbia, SC

About the Department

This position performs technical engineering and administrative work in the design, development and implementation of City water / sewer / storm drainage projects; provides professional customer service; and performs related work as required. The incumbent works within a general outline of work to be performed, and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision.

The work is considered light-to-medium in nature and involves walking or standing much of the time and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a recurring basis, or considerable skill, adeptness and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs in tasks involving close tolerances or limits of accuracy. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: climbing, crawling, crouching, fingering, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Work environment may involve exposure to dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, traffic, moving machinery, electrical shock, heights; and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs. 

Position Duties

• Performs technical engineering work to support the design, development and implementation of City water / sewer / stormwater drainage and other capital improvement projects;
• Coordinates and performs fire hydrant flow tests; evaluates test accuracy and implements corrective measures as warranted; collects fire hydrant test fees;
• Coordinates the flushing of water mains to ensure water quality; maintains related records and reports;
• Investigates and resolves water distribution / water quality problems;
• Performs various engineering calculations and prepares drawings as needed for the design and implementation of water / wastewater systems;
• Provides technical advice and assistance to professional engineers as requested;
• Researches maps and engineering plans to identify problem areas and opportunities for the enhancement of the City’s water system;
• Performs minor project design work as assigned; prepares drawings and documents necessary for obtaining various permits;
• Receives and responds to public inquiries, requests for service and complaints associated with water distribution and water quality; follows up on complaints to ensure timely and effective resolution;
• Coordinates and supervises the work of water quality technicians; supervisory duties include instructing, assigning and reviewing work, assisting with the selection of new employees, maintaining standards, acting on employee problems, and recommending employee discipline when appropriate.  Offers training, advice and assistance as needed;
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date project records;
• Assists in coordinating projects with local, state and federal agencies, as well as other City and county departments, contractors, developers, engineers, land surveyors, architects, inspectors, and other parties as necessary;
• Receives and processes various types of customer applications;
• Conducts fire hydrant tests and calculates design residual pressures;
• Implements the water main flushing program to ensure water quality; maintains related records and reports;
• Investigates and resolves water distribution / water quality problems;
• Performs general administrative work as required, including attending meetings, preparing reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, etc.;
• Attends meetings, training, seminars, etc., as necessary to maintain and enhance job knowledge and skills; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK: 

• Associate’s degree in engineering technology or a closely related field;
• Two (2) years of relevant prior experience;
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License; 
• Licensed or can obtain a Water Distribution Operator license through the S.C. Environmental Certification Board within one (1) year from the date of hire or promotion.

Other Qualifications

• Knowledge of algebra working with such factors as exponents, logarithms, linear and quadratic equations; concepts of analytic geometry, differentiation and integration of algebraic functions; statistics, applying such functions as frequency distribution, reliability, validity and correlation techniques; finance and economics using financial and econometric models.;
• Ability to gather, organize, analyze, examine or evaluate data or information and may prescribe action based on such data or information;
• Ability to supervise or lead others by determining work procedures, assigning duties, maintaining harmonious relations and promoting efficiency;
• Ability to handle or use machines, tools or equipment requiring moderate instruction and experience, such as engineering / drafting tools and equipment;
• Ability to perform supervisory work involving policy and guidelines, solving both people- and work-related problems;
• Ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems; composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form;
• Ability to perform specialized technical or entry-level professional work requiring general understanding of operating policies and procedures and their application to problems not previously encountered; application of specialized technical or professional principles and practices or the use of a wide range of administrative methods in the solution of problems; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results and occasional exposure to unusual pressure; and
• Ability to take actions of others, requiring almost constant decisions affecting co-workers, customers or others in the general public; works in a moderately fluid environment with guidelines and rules, but frequent variations from the routine.