Drainage Inspector

We are seeking a highly skilled Drainage Inspector to join our team at Hamilton County Indiana. As a Drainage Inspector, you will be responsible for investigating drainage problems, overseeing drain repair and maintenance projects, and ensuring compliance with state and local regulations.

• Investigate regulated and private drainage problems, including driving to sites, discussing with property owners, documenting field observations, and recommending solutions to supervisors.
• Serve as liaison between Drainage Board and property owners, and assist with petition process to establish new regulated drainage systems as needed.
• Oversee repair of regulated drains, including preparing work orders and logging issuance and completion dates.
• Periodically investigate and respond to hazardous material spills involving regulated drains.
• Report encroachments of regulated drain easements and violations of related standards as needed.
• Periodically investigate and report sanitary tie-ins on regulated or private drains to Health Department.
• Install and maintain regulated drain and filter strip markers as needed.
• Assist developers, contractors, engineers, realtors, and the public in researching location and course of regulated and private drains, and in researching flood plain information.
• Assist office visitors regarding drainage maintenance assessments, reconstruction assessments, and drain funding, and notify Surveyor when drain funds need increased assessment.
• Research and interpret various County records on computer, in books, and on maps as needed, determining past and current land owners, locating property lines, legal rights-of-way, easements, and utilities, and determining boundaries, hydrology, and geographic nature of watershed areas.
• Manage drain maintenance contracts, such as drain repair and spraying, including preparing lists of sites, preparing bid and contract documents, reviewing bids, making contract recommendations to Drainage Board, reviewing contractors' requests for payment, and inspecting sites to ensure proper completion of work.
• Maintain related records and prepare reports as required.
• Manage and coordinate pre-construction phase of drain reconstruction projects, including preparing cost estimates and bid and contract documents, reviewing bids and construction plans, notifying utilities, and coordinating pre-construction meetings with various entities/individuals.
• Manage reconstruction projects, including inspecting sites, completing field reports, monitoring for compliance with codes and specifications, discussing problems with contractors, negotiating and recommending change orders to Drainage Board as needed, reviewing contractors' requests for payment, and preparing the project final report for the Drainage Board.
• Mow regulated drains annually, including preparing list of sites, mowing, and maintaining related time and cost records.
• Periodically assist survey crews as needed, such as controlling traffic, and serving as instrument, chain, and/or rod technician.
• Periodically assist in gathering data for department projects, such as researching property records and court documents, reading and interpreting legal descriptions, determining soil types, assisting in preparing and determining drainage sheds and water shed boundaries, and proofing assessment rolls.
• Video tape sewers as needed, maintaining related location and time records.
• Attend all Drainage Board meetings.
• Periodically perform inspections as assigned, such as storm sewer construction projects, utility crossings, regulated drain outlets and crossings, and National Flood Insurance Program field inspections.
• Periodically assist in finalizing storm sewer and drain projects, such as conducting final inspections, generating punch lists for contractors/engineers/developers, assisting Project Engineer in revising construction plans and as-built drawings, and accepting and reviewing as-built drawings and certificates of compliance and completion.
• Periodically present items to Drainage Board in absence of Surveyor, as assigned, and prepares and presents annual report to Board.
• Periodically attend various meetings in absence of Surveyor or as assigned, such as Big Cicero Creek Joint Drainage Board, Upper Cicero Creek Water Shed, National Resources Conservation Service, and Technical Advisory Committee.
• Periodically assist in developing/updating department construction standards and drainage ordinance as needed.
• Regularly provide information to update GIS mapping from GPS field observations during drainage complaint (work order) investigations.
• Periodically investigate and report on hazardous materials spills that affect regulated drains.
• Maintain current knowledge of drainage regulations, equipment, and technology by reviewing legislative updates and trade publications, and periodically attending seminars/training.

• Baccalaureate Degree in surveying, civil engineering, construction, or related field, and a minimum of two years of construction experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Working knowledge of and ability to make practical application of federal, state, and local regulations regarding drainage, and relevant hydraulic and civil engineering and construction principles and practices.
• Working knowledge of county geography and topographic surveying, and ability to perform relevant arithmetic calculations, and properly use a sewer camera, tile probe, tractor, and surveying equipment, such as transit level, range pole, and pin finder.
• Ability to read and interpret detailed prints, sketches, construction plans, and various property records, such as legal descriptions, aerial and plat maps.
• Ability to compile data, prepare reports, and operate various office equipment, such as computer, printer, copier, microfilm reader, calculator, fax machine, and telephone.
• Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, other county and municipal jurisdictions, related state and federal agencies, engineering and construction contractors, developers, utilities, title companies, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.
• Ability to work alone and with others in a team environment with minimum supervision, and maintain appropriate, respectful interrelationships with co-workers.
• Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.
• Ability to comply with all employer/department personnel policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
• Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information/records according to state requirements.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions/directions, and appropriately respond to constructive criticism.
• Ability to plan and lay out assigned work projects, work on several tasks at the same time, and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions.
• Ability to occasionally work extended and/or evening hours, and occasionally travel out of town for conferences and training, sometimes overnight.
• Possession of a valid Indiana driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.
• As a result of the duties associated with this job, there is the potential of becoming exposed to blood-borne pathogens and other potentially infectious diseases.
• The initial and two subsequent vaccinations shall be administered by the Hamilton County Health Department and free of charge to the employee.
• A Temporary Medical Declination may be made for a period of up to six months.

Incumbent performs a majority of duties outdoors involving walking on uneven terrain, pushing/pulling/lifting/carrying objects weighing over 50 pounds, crouching/kneeling, bending, reaching, close and far vision, depth perception, working in confined spaces, such as manholes, and exposure to extreme temperatures, inclement weather, dust, dirt, and heavy construction equipment.

Incumbent also performs duties in a standard office environment involving hearing communication, speaking clearly, and handling/grasping objects.

Incumbent occasionally works extended, weekend, and/or evening hours, and occasionally travels out of town for conferences and training, sometimes overnight.