Job Description

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) protects public health and the environment by supplying clean drinking water, collecting and treating wastewater, and reducing air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution. DEP is the largest combined municipal water and wastewater utility in the country, with nearly 6,000 employees. DEP delivers more than 1.1 billion gallons per day of the highest quality drinking water to 8.5 million NYC residents and more than 1 million people in Upstate New York, and has a wastewater conveyance and treatment system capable of processing over 1.3 billion gallons of wastewater per day to protect the environment and the city’s surrounding waterways.

New York City has approximately 140,000 catch basins, 114,000 hydrants, 90,000 valves, 14 gatehouses, 3 reservoirs, 68 groundwater wells, a 100 million gallon underground storage tank and 7,000 miles each of both sanitary sewers and water mains. The responsibility of maintaining these vast networks falls under the Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations (BWSO).

The primary responsibilities of the Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations are: the operation, maintenance and protection of the City’s drinking water and wastewater collection (sewer) systems; the protection of adjacent waterways; and the development and protection of the Department’s Capital Water and Sewer Design Program. The Bureau also approves and inspects water and sewer connections performed by licensed plumbers and/or authorized contractors. In addition, the Bureau has overall responsibility for the approval and inspection of all public and private construction projects which could impact on the City’s water or sewer systems.

The Bureau is also responsible for the operation of the Staten Island Bluebelt. This is an ecologically sound, cost effective natural alternative to storm sewers, which occupies approximately 15 square miles of land in the South Richmond area of Staten Island. This project preserves streams, ponds and other wetland ("bluebelt") areas, allowing them to perform their natural function of conveying, storing and filtering storm water. These areas also provide important community open spaces and a diverse wildlife habitat.

The Bureau of Water and Sewer Operation's Connections and Permitting Unit is seeking to hire six Civil Engineering Interns. Under direct supervision, with little latitude for independent judgment, the selected candidates will perform engineering work of moderate difficulty and responsibility, but will not be limited to the following:

• Develop detailed knowledge of all application and permit procedures related to water/sewer connections & installations such as reviewing Applications/Plans for Backflow Prevention (BFP) Assemblies, reviewing SD1&2 Forms/Plans for sewer connections.

• Conduct objective and thorough field inspections throughout the five boroughs to ensure methods of construction, and materials and workmanship used by the licensed plumbers or contractors fully conform to the current standards and specifications.

• Maintain detailed and accurate records of inspections and reports, reports accurately on the events that transpire, secure, and evaluate all facts and arrive at a sound conclusion.

• Participates meeting professionally with the Design Engineer, Professional Engineer, Licensed Plumbers, or Contractors, as well as with the unit.

• Engages in studies, investigation or examinations related to the engineering functions or activities of the department, including the connection & permitting.

Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree in civil engineering from an accredited college. A degree in any other engineering area or in civil engineering technology is not acceptable.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.