WATER SYSTEMS ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN 10980
(Competitive)
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
Under the general supervision of a supervisory engineer and/or a department manager, an employee in this class performs recurring, technical work, subordinate to that which requires a licensed or professional engineer, in the areas of surveys, tests and studies upon components of a water distribution and transmission system. An employee in this class either performs these tasks personally or establishes methods for maintenance crews to follow in performing work that does not necessarily require close, technical supervision. The incumbent receives assignments orally or in writing from the supervisory engineer, who describes the nature of the assignment. Once an assignment is made, an employee in this class has wide leeway to use whatever resources available to complete the assignment. The assignments of an employee in this class are reviewed by the supervisory engineer who meets with the employee to discuss the progress of the work, or to discuss the assignment in its entirety upon completion, or to review any methods the employee may have established relative to maintenance work upon components of a water system. The incumbent may also be responsible for detecting, locating and correcting leaks in the water system. With respect to leak detection projects, the encumbent might be expected to change their normal working hours for extended periods during the year to facilitate night work. This assignment is an important link between the supervisory staff and activities in the field. An employee in this class may directly supervise various maintenance worker classifications as well as review any methods established relative to maintenance work upon components of a water system. An employee in this class is expected to exercise all aspects of safety precautions. Does related work as required.
Supervises and conducts system flow and metered consumption studies, hydrant flow studies, U-tube flow studies, pressure studies, and pressure reducing studies; that is, instructs and performs the operation of valves, meters, feed connectors, and pressure reducing valves to control flow and pressure to determine too much or too little pressure or restricted flow of water in a given part of the system.
Develops, tests and calibrates hydraulic models for the purpose of predicting for future improvements as well as diagnostic testing. These models include computer and field calibrating for accuracy.
Supervises and performs leak detection analysis on all components of a water system by methods of survey, listening devices, monitoring meter equipment and measuring devices to quantify flow.
Examines both visually and manually for proper operation of mechanical devices such as, but not limited to, pumps, hydraulic and electric butterfly valves, hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, and mechanical controls; sump pumps, compressors, flow meters, telemetering receivers and transmitters and other equipment used in water transmission and distribution.
Inspects valves and controls for the purpose of re-designing parts to make pumps and controls operate properly and calls manufacturers to generate ideas for redesign.
Inspects work done to elevated and ground storage tanks and reservoirs to ensure that sand blasting, painting, and metalizing have been performed satisfactorily.
Examines both visually and manually for proper operation of chlorinators, analyzers, scales, injectors, and related water treatment apparatus.
May supervise, instruct, or perform work in the installation of new piping, pumps, air valves, and other equipment which includes making recommendations on a particular design or type of equipment to be used as well as estimating and ordering materials needed.
Keeps written records pertaining to power consumption, material consumption, pressure and flow charts, fluoridation, chlorination, and purification.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Good knowledge of principles, practices and methods of conducting surveys, tests, and studies relative to identifying proper and improper flow and pressure in a water transmission and distribution system.
Knowledge of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry and their application to water systems distribution and transmission.
Knowledge of principles of fluid mechanics and fluid flow as applied to water distribution and transmission.
Skill in the use of tools and devices associated with this activity, to include, but not limited to, small hand tools, gauges, transducers, venturi meters, manometers, leak detectors, pipeline locators and survey equipment.
Ability to perform technical, mathematical computations and to compile numerical data from the computations.
Ability to read and understand technical data expressed in telemetering and circuit diagrams.
Ability to express oneself both orally and in writing.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Three (3) years of permanent, competitive class status in the title of Engineering Technician II.
A. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with an Associate’s Degree in Civil Engineering Technology or Mechanical Engineering Technology and two (2) years of paraprofessional or professional-level work experience, or its part-time equivalent in civil engineering; or,
B. Completion of sixty (60) semester credit hours in a Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering curriculum from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees supplemented by any combination of courses in two (2) of the following areas: mathematical science, physical science, engineering science and two (2) years of paraprofessional or professional level work experience, or its part time equivalent, in applying concepts of engineering and fluid mechanics to water transmission and distribution systems and three (3) years of paraprofessional or professional-level work experience, or its part-time equivalent in civil engineering; or,
C. Four (4) years of paraprofessional or professional level work experience, or its part time equivalent, in civil engineering.
NOTE: Supplementary course work as mentioned in (B) above must relate to the required engineering curriculum. Therefore, mathematical science courses, such as probability and statistics, are unacceptable; science courses, other than physical sciences, such as biology, are unacceptable; engineering courses in areas other than civil engineering or mechanical engineering are unacceptable.
11/14 Revised