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.

DEP is in the midst of an ongoing construction program to build stormwater management systems, called Bluebelts, which integrate best management practices (BMPs) with natural stream and wetland areas, for purposes of flood control and stormwater management. These assets include extended detention ponds, stream corridors, and constructed stormwater wetlands. The majority of BMPs are located on Staten Island.

Bluebelts are ecologically rich and cost-effective drainage systems that naturally handle the runoff precipitation that falls on our streets and sidewalks. The program preserves natural drainage corridors including streams, ponds, and wetlands, and enhances them to perform their functions of conveying, storing, and filtering runoff precipitation or stormwater. In addition to being an excellent mechanism for reducing urban flooding and improving the health of local waterways, Bluebelts also provide open green space for their communities and diverse habitat for wildlife.

The system is comprised of ninety stormwater facilities, over seven-hundred acres of natural area, and several miles of maintained street frontage. The majority of sites are on Staten Island and seven are in Queens and the Bronx. Sites consist of constructed stormwater wetlands, outlet basins, culverts, weirs, weir chambers, sediment basins and frontage assets such as fences, guide rail, and signage.

Under supervision, the selected candidate will perform duties related to the operations, maintenance, repair and inspection of facilities, equipment and lands within the Staten Island Bluebelt System under the jurisdiction of the New York City department of Environmental Protection. Candidates will
- operate motor vehicles and motor-powered equipment to perform work.
- manually clean catch basins in Bluebelt drainage areas; install and maintain catch basin markers; inspect, clean and maintain trash racks on riser boxes and other Bluebelt BMP drainage structures.
- mow, prune, cultivate and maintain lawns, shrubs, trees and grades; spread top soil and wood chips; plant landscape material; inspect, install and maintain rip-rap, signs, wooden bollards, poles, stream bank stabilization devices, erosion control fencing and other Bluebelt physical assets as required;
- perform litter/debris pick-up within Bluebelt properties and remove snags, both manually and mechanically, from streams; perform weeding operations within Bluebelt properties;
- clean and paint structures, equipment and fences; check security of structures and prevent trespassing on City property; remove snow and ice from DEP-owned sidewalks and properties in the Bluebelt;
- use rowboat to navigate and inspect various Bluebelt BMPs, ponds and streams; install and maintain bat boxes and other wildlife habitat improvement devices in Bluebelt natural areas; and inspect rodent control boxes throughout the Bluebelt;
- conduct basic field inspections as directed by immediate field supervisor. Prepare and record work orders on electronic devices (computer tablets).

The environmental conditions faced while performing the job responsibilities of this position include working outside in all types of weather throughout the year.

SPECIAL NOTE************ONE OF THE 2 POSITIONS WILL REPORT TO QUEENS. THE JOB LOCATION FOR THAT POSITION IS 106-36, 180 ST, JAMAICA, NY11433. THERE WAS A CIVIL SERVICE EXAM FILING PERIOD FOR WATERSHED MAINTAINER IN JUNE 2023. IF YOU ARE NOT PERMANENT IN THE TITLE OF WATERSHED MAINTAINER AND YOU DID NOT FILE FOR THE EXAM, YOU WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR AN INTERVIEW.

Qualifications

A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and one of the following:

1. One year of full-time satisfactory experience in the operation and maintenance of equipment used in the controlling or purification of water at facilities in watershed areas, reservoirs, or aqueduct systems, or performing duties involving the upkeep, inspection, maintenance or operation of watershed areas and related facilities; or

A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and one of the following:

2. Two years of full-time satisfactory experience as: a mechanic, journeyman or helper in the electrical trades or mechanical trades; or a technician in a chemical processing facility or chemical laboratory.

Driver License Requirement: By the time you are appointed to this position, you must have a motor vehicle driver license valid in the State of New York. This license must be maintained for the duration of your employment.