Cross Connection Control Inspector II (Water Quality Inspector II)
Salary
$82,617.60 - $106,787.20 Annually
Location
Water Interstate Facility, 664 N Tillamook St, OR
Job Type
Regular
Job Number
2026-00797
Bureau
Portland Water Bureau
Opening Date
09/07/2026
Closing Date
9/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
- Description
- Benefits
- Questions
The Position
Job Appointment: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 6 am-2:30 pm. This position may be eligible for hybrid work status once probation is completed and with management approval. The current hybrid work policy for the City of Portland is to be in the office a minimum of 50% of the time.
Work location: 1900 N Interstate Ave, Portland, OR 97227
Union Representation: AFSCME 189 -- City Wide
Benefits: Please check our benefit tab for an overview of benefits for this position.
To view current labor agreements, please visit https://www.portland.gov/bhr/employee-relations/labor-relations/labor-agreements.
Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland's online portal. You will need to respond to the supplemental questions and attach a resume.
The Portland Water Bureau is seeking a Cross Connection Control Inspector II to join their team.
About the team:
The position is in the Water Bureau's Operations Division and will report to the Cross Connection Control Manager. This team is tasked with the key responsibility of protecting the public distribution system from actual or potential hazards by requiring and inspecting privately owned backflow prevention assemblies on domestic, dedicated irrigation and dedicated fire services.
About the Position:
Cross Connection Control Inspectors perform a wide variety of duties with considerable independence in workload organization, decision-making and judgement. The journey level of this class is actively involved in the permit review process by providing a full range of plan review and inspection services related to cross connection control.
Core functions and typical duties include:
- Reviews construction documents, plans and permit applications of a wide range of proposed construction or alterations of commercial and complex residential structures to ensure compliance with Federal, State and Municipal Cross Connections control related codes.
- Performs inspections of plumbing systems to determine if backflow protection is adequate or if cross connections exist.
- Reviews scope of projects; analyses information, advises property owners, designers, engineers, architects, builders, customers, and the public on procedures and interpretation of State and Municipal Codes concerning Cross Connection Control; prescribes corrective action verbally and in writing, follows up by means of field inspections.
- Performs on-site inspection of backflow prevention assemblies on various potable and non-potable services connected to the public water supply; certifies and approves final installations.
- Receives and investigates customer complaints regarding potential cross connections and backflow events at commercial and residential properties; determines probable cause; recommends corrective action and problem resolution.
- Conduct inspections of tank-type vehicles to verify approved air-gap backflow protection for annual hydrant permits.
- Review and enter backflow assembly test reports into a backflow database
- Perform backflow assembly testing on special projects as assigned
Questions?:
Terrol Johnson
Senior Recruiter
terrol.johnson@portlandoregon.gov
To Qualify
Applicants must specifically address and demonstrate in their supplemental question responses and resume how their education, training and/or experience, meets each of the following minimum qualifications:
Ability to explain and apply State regulations and City code applicable to cross connection control in public water systems
Knowledge of the operations and practices of public water systems
Ability and experience working with a diverse group of customers in sometimes difficult circumstances
Ability to read quarter section maps and complex construction plans
Ability to use common computer applications
Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications is acceptable.
The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:
- Education/Training: High school diploma/GED (required) and a bachelor's degree in a related field (desired)
- Experience: At least two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in the drinking water industry. Experience in the following is desirable: cross connection, backflow prevention, plumbing systems, drinking water distribution system operation or maintenance and/or construction. (desired)
- Certification: Ability to obtain Oregon Health Authority Water Distribution Operator Certification - Level I within 2 years of appointment. Must be able to acquire State of Oregon Backflow Assembly Tester and Cross Connection Specialist certifications with 6 months of appointment.
- Valid state driver's License and acceptable driving record
- Ability to pass routine respiratory protection physical examination evaluation and fit testing within 6 months of appointment and ongoing;
Preferred Credentials:
(Please note, the following are preferred; not required for this position)
- Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC) or ability to acquire within six months of hire (Federal Government background check required for this card).
The Recruitment Process
STEP 1: Apply online between September 7, 2026, and September 21, 2026
Required Application Materials:
- Resume
- Answers to Supplemental Questions
Optional Application Materials:
- Veteran's Preference documents (e.g., DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter) must be submitted by the closing date.
- Update: As of March 3, 2025, if you have already submitted veteran documents and qualified for preference, you do not need to resubmit them for future recruitments.
- To update or remove veteran preference for this recruitment or from your profile, contact the recruiter listed in the job announcement.
Application Tips:
- Your answers to the Supplemental Questions should include details describing your education, training, and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflect your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
- Your résumé should support the details described in your answers to the supplemental questions..
- Salary Range/Equity Pay Analysis: Please note per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law, your salary is determined based on the experience and education listed in your resume/application. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid, regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all directly related and equivalent experience.
- Do not attach any additional documents.
- Please note that all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than the closing date and time of this recruitment.
Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of September 21, 2026
- An evaluation of each applicants training, paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their answers to supplemental questions and resume, weighted 100%.
- Your answers to the supplemental questions and résumé will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
- You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation results. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01for complete information.
- Additional evaluation may be required before establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.
Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of September 28, 2026
- Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.
Step 4: Selection (Interview): TBD
- Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.
Step 5: Offer of Employment: TBD
Step 6: Start Date:
- A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.
- Timeline is approximate and subject to change.
Additional Information
Click here for additional information regarding the following:
- City of Portland Core Values
- Recruitment Process - Work Status
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Veteran Preference
- ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations
Did you know? The City of Portland has How to Apply Videos and offers How to Apply Classes once per month. If you have questions after watching the videos you are invited to contact the recruiter listed on the announcement.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
A Career with the City of Portland offers many Employee Benefits
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to
- Health Care (Medical, Vision and Dental)
- Carrot Fertility
- Wellness Benefits
- Life Insurance
- Long-term disability
- Employee Assistance Plan
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Retirement
- Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), including contributions to the PERS IAP plan paid by employer
- Family Medical Leave
- City Paid Parental Leave
AND SO MANY MORE!
Benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status. Click here to review the many different benefits the City of Portland offers.
01
Thank you for considering joining the City of Portland. We sincerely value your time and hope to make your application experience as positive as possible.
The following supplemental questions are an important step in the examination and selection process to assist us in determining if you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the posted vacancy.
A lack of a complete and thorough response to each of the supplemental questions in the space provided may result in disqualification from the examination. In addition, the selections you make and responses you provide in the questionnaire must accurately reflect what is documented in your resume.
Have you read and understood the information listed above?
- Yes
- No - If you have any questions, please contact the recruiter on the announcement.
02
Where did you first learn about this job opportunity? (If on a website or job board, please specify which one)
03
The City of Portland sometimes gets requests for public records. Please choose the response that best fits your preference:
(Your choice will not affect your application process.)
- I want my application to stay private. I understand that the City of Portland will keep my information confidential unless required to share it by law.
- I allow my application to be shared. I understand that by choosing this option, my information is no longer private.
04
Do you have the ability to explain and apply State regulations and City code applicable to cross connection control in public water systems?
05
Provide a detailed example(s) of your ability to explain and apply State regulations and City code applicable to cross connection control in public water systems.
In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:
- Examples of when you used the knowledge skill or ability.
- Role you served in (professional, internship, volunteer).
- The impact and/or results of your experience.
- Skills, training, transferable skills or lived experience you have that will help you in this area.
- Total years of experience applying the knowledge, skill, or ability.
06
Do you posses knowledge of the operations and practices of public water systems?
07
Provide a detailed example(s) of your knowledge of the operations and practices of public water systems.
In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:
- Examples of when you used the knowledge skill or ability.
- Role you served in (professional, internship, volunteer).
- The impact and/or results of your experience.
- Skills, training, transferable skills or lived experience you have that will help you in this area.
- Total years of experience applying the knowledge, skill, or ability.
08
Do you have the ability and experience working with a diverse group of customers in sometimes difficult circumstances?
09
Provide a detailed example(s) of your ability and experience working with a diverse group of customers in sometimes difficult circumstances.
In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:
- Examples of when you used the knowledge skill or ability.
- Role you served in (professional, internship, volunteer).
- The impact and/or results of your experience.
- Skills, training, transferable skills or lived experience you have that will help you in this area.
- Total years of experience applying the knowledge, skill, or ability.
10
Do you have the ability to read quarter section maps and complex construction plans?
11
Provide a detailed example(s) of your ability to read quarter section maps and complex construction plans.
In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:
- Examples of when you used the knowledge skill or ability.
- Role you served in (professional, internship, volunteer).
- The impact and/or results of your experience.
- Skills, training, transferable skills or lived experience you have that will help you in this area.
- Total years of experience applying the knowledge, skill, or ability.
12
Do you have the ability to use common computer applications?
13
Provide a detailed example(s) of your ability to use common computer applications.
In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:
- Examples of when you used the knowledge skill or ability.
- Role you served in (professional, internship, volunteer).
- The impact and/or results of your experience.
- Skills, training, transferable skills or lived experience you have that will help you in this area.
- Total years of experience applying the knowledge, skill, or ability.
14
Do you have a valid state drivers license and an acceptable driving record?
Required Question
Employer City of Portland
Address 1120 SW 5th Ave, Room 987
Portland, Oregon, 97204
Website http://www.portland.gov/jobs