Definition
Performs technical inspection of boilers, pressure vessels, associated piping, and related components; reviews operating, maintenance, repair, and prior inspection records statewide to verify compliance with state laws, administrative rules, adopted codes, and manufacturer recommendations; performs related work as required.
The work examples and competencies listed below are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be the primary basis for position classification decisions.
Work Examples
Performs mandated and requested inspections including internal, external, installation, follow‑up, accident, repair, and alteration of boilers, pressure vessels, piping systems, related components, and installation sites to ensure compliance with Iowa Code Chapter 89, Administrative Rules Chapters 390 - 395, adopted codes, and manufacturer recommendations.
Coordinates and schedules routine inspections within the assigned territory.
Witnesses and evaluates required or requested hydrostatic testing of boilers, pressure vessels, and associated equipment to verify the mechanical integrity of repairs, alterations, and required safety devices.
Investigates boiler and pressure vessel accidents and explosions by conducting site visits, documenting conditions through photos and video, performing forensic evaluations, and interviewing witnesses, operators, maintenance staff, management, contractors, and other relevant parties to determine root causes.
Participate in legal proceedings at the request of the State’s legal department.
Prepares and submits detailed written reports to the chief inspector for review.
Reviews plans, procedures, drawings, inspection records, and other relevant documents for boilers and pressure vessels statewide.
Immediately notifies the chief inspector of any boiler or pressure vessel condition that poses an imminent danger.
Competencies Required
Knowledge:
Administration and Management – Business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Building and Construction – Materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Administrative – Administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Computers and Electronics – Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Customer and Personal Service – Principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Design – Design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Education and Training – Principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Engineering and Technology – The practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
English Language – Structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Law and Government – Laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Mathematics – Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Mechanical – Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Public Safety and Security – Relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Abilities:
Category Flexibility – Generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning – Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Flexibility of Closure – Identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Fluency of Ideas – Come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Inductive Reasoning – Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Information Ordering – Arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Near Vision – See details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension – Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression – Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Perceptual Speed – Quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Problem Sensitivity – Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Selective Attention – Concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Speech Clarity – Speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition – Identify and understand the speech of another person.
Visual Color Discrimination – Match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Visualization – Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Written Comprehension – Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression – Communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Skills:
Active Learning – Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Learning Strategies – Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Mathematics – Using mathematics to solve problems.
Monitoring – Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension – Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Speaking – Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing – Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
All of the following (a and b):
One year of full-time industry‑related work experience performing technical, operational, fabrication, maintenance, inspection, or quality‑control duties in the pressure‑equipment field; and
A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in Engineering or Technology equals one year of full-time experience.
All of the following (a, b, and c):
One year of full-time industry‑related work experience performing technical, operational, fabrication, maintenance, inspection, or quality‑control duties in the pressure‑equipment field; and
Completion of one of the following:
Two-year degree or certificate in Engineering or Technology from an accredited institution.
Graduation from an accredited technical school in subjects including (but not limited to) building construction, construction technology, heating/ventilating, or welding technology.
Completion of an accredited Power Engineering certification program.
Completion of an accredited apprenticeship program for boilermaker, steamfitter, or pipefitter.
Completion of an accredited military or merchant marine training program related to marine or stationary boilers or pressure vessels.
Certification as a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) from the American Welding Society.
Certification as an API‑510 or API‑570 inspector; and
A total of two years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in Engineering or Technology equals one year of full-time experience.
Notes
Travel is required for positions in this class. Employees must arrange transportation to and from assigned work areas.
Positions in this class may require National Board Inservice (IS) Inspector Commission, issued by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors.
Effective Date: 08/26 KC