Job Description

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) enriches the environment and protects public health for all New Yorkers by providing 1.1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water, managing wastewater and stormwater, 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’s water supply system is comprised of 19 reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes throughout the system’s 2,000 square mile watershed that extends 125 miles north and west of the City.

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 & Sewer Operations (BWSO), Division of Operations Analysis & Regulatory Compliance, Operations Support Office (OSO) is seeking to hire an Engineering Technician IV.

The selected candidate for this position will supervise Engineering Technician II’s who will be performing various tasks under their direct supervision that include, but are not limited to:
- Performing catch basin inspections using a City vehicle, various tools, and equipment.
- Using computer-based inspection software and related applications
- Performing mathematical calculations and assisting in estimating quantities
- Making map change requests and applicable documents from complex data, with or without sketches
- Addressing problems of frequent occurrence, such as flooding, ponding, or outside referrals; extracting data from various sources, and applying well-defined methods and principles to resolve the problems.
- Performing and documenting wet weather inspections and miscellaneous assignments related to Bureau infrastructure assets using various tools and equipment.

Inspections are performed outdoors and in all kinds of weather, and the physical activities can include opening manhole covers with a sewer hook, taking and recording measurements using various tools, carrying a clipboard and/or a computer tablet. Street inspections are generally performed during the day.

Location: The inspections are in Manhattan/Bronx but can be assigned to assist throughout the City’s five boroughs as needed. The Manhattan/Bronx Inspector Supervisor can report out of Manhattan at 420 E. 38th St. or The Bronx at 3201 Jerome Ave.

***ONLY CANDIDATES WHO ARE PERMANENT IN THE TITLE OF ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN WILL BE CONSIDERED***

Qualifications

Qualification Requirements
For Assignment Levels I – II
1. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a state’s department of education or a recognized accrediting organization and two years of full-time satisfactory experience as an engineering technician; or

2. An Associate degree from an accredited college or technical institution with a specialization in engineering technology; or

3. A combination of education and experience which is equivalent to two years of satisfactory experience. To determine educational equivalency for experience, see “Special Note” below.

Special Note
One year of experience credit will be given for each 30 semester credits for college education leading to a degree from an accredited college in engineering technology. However, all candidates must have at least a high school diploma or its educational equivalent.

License Requirement For Certain Positions
For assignment to certain positions, the candidate must possess at the time of appointment or assignment a Motor Vehicle Driver License valid in the State of New York. This license must be maintained for the duration of employment.

Additional Qualification Requirements
For Assignment Levels III – IV
To be eligible for placement in Assignment Levels III and IV, individuals must have, after meeting the requirements for Assignment Levels I and II, either
1. At least one year of satisfactory service as an Engineering Technician with the City of New York; or

2. A Baccalaureate degree in engineering technology from an accredited college; or

3. After meeting the minimum requirements described for Assignment Level I, at least two additional years of full-time satisfactory experience performing engineering technician work; or

4. A satisfactory combination of education and experience equivalent to
Additional Qualification Requirement “3” above and in “Special Note” above.