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 Division of Distribution Operations role in the Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations is to ensure that potable water is delivered at the appropriate pressure and volume to consumers throughout the five boroughs. Within the Agency, Distribution staff work closely with the Bureau Field Operations, BWS Water Quality and BEDC providing engineering direction. The Distribution Section is responsible for the initiation of capital projects needed to maintain and improve the distribution systems, in that role, engineers work closely with the BWSO Capital Planning Division. Outside the Agency, Distribution staff maintains close working relationships with other NYC Agencies, MTA, Con Edison and many other outside interests whose activities affect water supply infrastructure. Plan review, advising on changes due to field conditions during construction and cording trunk main shutdown play a large role in the section’s activities. Distribution is responsible for the operation, maintenance and repair of valves and pressure regulators associated with the trunk main network and for response to large water main breaks, fires, and other emergencies. The section also contains the Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Flow Test Units.

The Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations seeks to hire Watershed Maintainers, for the Division of Distribution Operations, Shaft Maintenance, located in Brooklyn, NY.

Specific duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Under supervision, perform duties related to the operations, maintenance, repair and inspection of facilities, equipment and lands related to the NYC aqueduct systems and its associated shafts.

• Operates motor vehicle and motor-powered equipment; performs related work. Maintain and cleans water distribution shafts, appurtenant properties, etc.

• Performs routine repair work to concrete paths, steps, maintenance painting, etc. Cleans shrubs, weeds, snow, refuse, etc. from shaft areas.

• Utilizes necessary power tools and equipment safely (e.g. power saws, drills, gate devices, pumps, etc.) Loads and stores material and/or equipment as required at headquarters facilities or in the field.

• Assist skilled trades of various disciplines. Operates motor vehicle and forklift in conjunction with general maintenance work.

• Takes water samples, monitors meter equipment, etc. with regard to water distribution activities. Keeps accurate logs of activities and prepares reports to supervisors.

• Maintains logs and records; utilizes computer, handheld devices and software (CMMS).

• Participates in work activities that may require additional certification (FDNY Certificate of Fitness, NYSDOH)

*Candidates selected to fill a Watershed Maintainer position from this posting will be required to provide proof of filing for the recent Watershed Maintainer civil service examination. *

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.

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.