Engineer-In-Charge

About the role

The NYC 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 storm water, and reducing air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution. DEP is the largest combined municipal water and wastewater utility in the country with nearly 600 employees. DEP's supply water is comprised of 19 reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes throughout the system's 2,000 square miles watershed that extends 125 miles north and west of the City.

The position will fall under jurisdiction of the Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations, (BWSO) which is responsible for the operation and maintenance and protection of New York City's drinking water distribution and wastewater collection systems, the protection of adjacent waterways and natural drainage (wetlands), and the development of the Department's Capital Water and Sewer Infrastructure Program.

The Bureau also approves and inspects water and sewer connections performed by licensed plumbers and/or authorized contractors. In addition, BWSO has overall responsibility for the approval and inspection of all public and private construction projects as they relate to the City's water or sewer systems.

We are seeking a motivated Civil Engineer, who will supervise staff reviewing House Connection/Site Connection Proposals, dewatering permit applications, swimming pool permit applications and auditing self-certified House Connection/Site Connection Proposals. As part of the Site Connection Unit, the selected candidate will have the opportunity to influence the design phase of projects by analyzing hydraulic components of projects.

The selected Candidate will coordinate with Professional Engineers and the developers to resolve engineering issues and to meet the goals by following DEP rules and regulations. They will also coordinate with other City/State agencies to familiarize themselves with their rules and regulations for better understanding of the projects and incorporate various rules and regulations that the project site is subject to.

Specific duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Supervise staff reviewing site and house connection proposal submitted by Professional Engineers and Registered Architects. Review and perform hydraulic calculations to determine the size of sewer connection to City sewer and to evaluate the proposed sewer release rate to sewer to conform Unified Storm Water Rule and zoning. Review Survey and other supportive documents to comply with the Department's Rules, Regulations, Standards and Specifications. Research and review sewer records and drainage plan for accuracy of the site connection proposal review prior to certifications.
• Supervise staff auditing self-certified House Connection/Site Connection Proposals that were previously self-certified by Professional Engineers and Registered Architects. Review comments/finding by auditors/reviewers so they are following the Department's Rules, Regulations Standards and Specifications.
• Review Site Master Plan for different construction phases to allocate site specific storm release rate.
• Research the site area with the use of city tools like zoning maps, tax maps, ArcGIS.
• Utilize water resource principles to determine maximum sewer pipe capacity, allowable flow rate and alternatives of site development to retain/detain storm on site or to release storm flow from a site at a flow rate acceptable to DEP.
• Meet with the professional engineers to discuss and determine the best solution for their project's needs given any stringent circumstances for approval in accordance with the Bureau of Water & Sewer Operations requirements.

*ALL CANDIDATES MUST BE EITHER PERMANENT IN THE CIVIL SERVICE TITLE OF CIVIL ENGINEER OR MUST FILE FOR AND PASS THE UPCOMING CIVIL SERVICE EXAM FOR CIVIL ENGINEER (EXAM NO. 7020, WHICH IS OPEN FOR FILING 12/2/2026 - 12/22/2026) TO BE CONSIDERED*

Qualifications & Requirements

• (1) Four (4) years of full-time, satisfactory experience in civil engineering work; and
• (2) A valid New York State Professional Engineer's License. Current New York State registration as a Professional Engineer must be maintained for the duration of your employment.

A masters degree in civil engineering from an accredited college or university, accredited by regional, national, professional or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) may be substituted for one year of the civil engineering experience required in "1" above.

Special Note

In addition to above qualification requirements, to be eligible for placement in Assignment Levels II and III, individuals must have at least one year within the last three years of experience as a major contributor or a project leader on a complex project requiring additional and specific expertise in the disciplines needed to design or construct the project.