General Statement of Duties
Performs responsible specialized and technical inspection work to ensure the quality of construction standards for a variety of public and private infrastructure projects performed by contractors in the City of Burlington. Performs field inspections for City issued land disturbing permits. Performs Right-of-Way inspections for public utilities installed within the City of Burlington Right-of-Ways.
Distinguishing Features of the Class
An employee in this class is responsible for inspection of construction plans and specifications. Employee must understand the nature and scope of the projects to be inspected. The employee is the frontline person during the construction of public infrastructure; communicating and providing interpretation of the City standards, policies, codes and inspecting the construction of underground utilities to ensure that they are installed according to City of Burlington specification. Emphasis of the work is on inspections of utilities, roadways, and sidewalks, other infrastructure projects, and serving as a liaison between the contractor and the project manager. The position also involves serving as the Erosion Control Inspector, monitoring and preparing reports concerning all land disturbance permitted construction sites within the City of Burlington’s jurisdiction and Utility Coordinator for monitoring underground utility work with the City of Burlington’s public right-of-way. Work requires a high degree of technical knowledge and familiarity with construction standards. Some judgment is required in assessing priority and type of inspections as well as workmanship and quality of materials used by a contractor all within the standards of the NC Building Code. Employee discusses project progress, conveys information, and communicates stop work orders to contractors when necessary. Employee is supervised by a technical and administrative superior in the form of performance checks through direct observation with field reviews and periodic formal performance reviews. This classification is considered non-exempt in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Illustrative Examples of Work
Essential Tasks and Responsibilities
· Serve as the Field Erosion Control Inspector and Utility Coordinator field inspector
· Conduct field inspections and completes reports; monitors construction sites and ensures contractors remain complaint with City ordinances to retain sediment within the site with inlet retention devices
· Ensure compliance with City policy and ordinances regarding utility construction in public rights-of-way; communicates with utility representatives and contractors on installation of public utilities to protect City infrastructure
· Communicate and provide interpretation of City standards, codes, and policies
· Study plans and specifications of projects to be inspected to obtain an understanding of the nature and type of work require and scope of project
· Serve as a liaison between the contractor and project manager by providing status updates; inspects the quality of work performed by a contractor to ensure all work performed meets City’s specifications
· Test materials, backfill compaction, grade, and alignment to ensure grade stability; reviews traffic controls to function as field representative for the city’s engineers on projects
· Review erosion control plans, make field inspections of sites and make minor changes to plans to meet field conditions
· Confer with property owners and contractors to resolve conflicts and ensures enforcement of the erosion control regulations and related ordinances
· Read and interpret a set of plans
· Resolve discrepancies between plans and actual field conditions by suggesting change orders; inspecting proposed materials and coordinating project activities such as service interruptions, remediation of property damages, and inconveniences with property owners adjacent to project
· Collect GPS as-built data of water, sewer, and stormwater structures for GIS mapping
· Perform other duties as required
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
· Thorough knowledge of the Engineering Department Construction Inspections Manual
· Thorough knowledge of the NCDEQ Erosion and Sediment Control Laws and Rules
· Thorough knowledge of the NCDEQ North Carolina Erosion and Sediment Control Field Manual and Inspector’s Guide
· Thorough knowledge of NCDOT Specifications and Special Provisions
· Thorough knowledge of standard and alternative construction methods and materials
· Thorough knowledge of the safety requirements of construction operations
· Thorough knowledge of commonly used practices of communicating with others, both orally and in writing
· Ability to prioritize inspections in relation to safety requirements and need for construction projection completion
· Ability to work in Microsoft Office to generate reports and other required documents
· Ability to understand and interpret technical manuals, plans, and specifications in relation to engineering specifications and approved site plans
· Ability to communicate with others by using tact, courtesy, and persistence with the general public, contractors, and engineers.
· Ability to use various equipment and instruments in the performance of work including computer, vehicle, phone, magnetic detection devices, handheld GPS locator, and calculator
· Ability to apply construction knowledge and the City of Burlington Engineering Specifications and Standards when making judgments about construction in relation to code requirements
· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments, contractors, and the general public
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
Work in this class is described as medium using a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects and may occasionally require some physical exertion to complete tasks. Work will require traversing uneven ground and will require good stability. Work typically involves the ability to physically perform the basic life operational functions of stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking, talking, hearing and repetitive motions. Employee is required to have close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, operate a computer terminal, perform extensive reading, perform visual inspection of small defects and parts, and user measurement devices. An employee is subject to hazards including proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to heat, chemicals, noise, and extreme weather conditions. Employee is subject to both inside and outside environmental working conditions.
Special Requirements
· Obtain NCDOT E&SC/SW certification or CPESC within 1 year of hire and maintain during employment
· Obtain certifications as a NCDOT Concrete Field Technician within 2 years of hire and maintain during employment
• High School Diploma or GED equivalency with 4 years’ experience in public infrastructure construction and / or erosion control inspection OR Associate’s Degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management and 2 years’ experience in public infrastructure construction and / or erosion control inspection OR Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management
• Experience and familiarity public water and sewer systems
• Experience and familiarity with erosion control methods and construction
• Experience and familiarity with reading and applying survey grades
• Experience using MS Office Applications
• Valid North Carolina Driver License
Preferred Qualifications
• Previous experience working with a municipality or other public agency
• NCDOT Erosion and Sediment Control / Stormwater Certification
• Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control
• NCDOT Asphalt Certification (QMS Roadway Tech)
• NCDOT Concrete Certification
• AWWA Collection and Distribution Certifications
• OSHA Certifications (10-hour, 30-hour, Excavation)