Assistant Environmental Engineer

The City of New York is hiring an Assistant Environmental Engineer to review and approve Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans, conduct site inspections, and ensure compliance with stormwater management regulations. The role requires knowledge in hydrology and hydraulics, and a degree in environmental engineering or related fields is necessary. This position is based in Los Angeles, CA, and is not remote.
Overview

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.

The Bureau of Environmental Planning and Analysis (BEPA) is responsible for the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) planning and implementation for the City including permitting and enforcement for the construction/post construction program. The Stormwater Permitting Section is responsible for implementing 15 RCNY Chapter 19.1 and the construction/post‑construction requirements of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit issued to the City by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

Professional engineers, registered landscape architects and other professionals that have knowledge in design and implementation of designs for the prevention of pollution related to stormwater runoff prepare and submit stormwater pollution prevention plans. Under the updated MS4 Permit, the City has reduced the soil disturbance threshold of projects requiring review and approval in the MS4 areas to 20,000 square feet. In addition, the City will enforce the same rules in the combined sewer service area in an effort to reduce the occurrence of combined sewer overflows.

That addition with the MS4 area reduction is expected to increase the number of applications.

Under direction, the Assistant Environmental Engineer will be responsible for reviewing, approving, and disapproving Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs). Adequately reviewing plans requires a working knowledge of hydrology, hydraulics, soils and practices designed to prevent pollution of stormwater runoff. Additional critical tasks include responding to complaints related to stormwater discharges from construction sites, inspecting sites both during and after construction for compliance with stormwater construction and stormwater maintenance permits.

ASSISTANT ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINE - 20617
Responsibilities
• Review site civil drawings for compliance with City rules and the Construction General Permit.
• Maintain a clear understanding of stormwater management systems during and after construction; understand hydrology, hydraulics and implementation of codes.
• Conduct site inspections for compliance with approved plans during construction under the Stormwater Construction Permit.
• Conduct site inspections for compliance with post‑construction requirements of a Stormwater Maintenance Permit.
• Communicate orally and in writing to applicants and permit tees, providing clear understanding of program and permit requirements, penalties for noncompliance and the intrinsic benefits of compliance.
Minimum Qualifications
• A baccalaureate degree in environmental, chemical, mechanical, petroleum, aeronautical, or materials engineering from an accredited college or university and one year of full‑time satisfactory experience in environmental engineering work.
• OR a baccalaureate degree in environmental, chemical, mechanical, petroleum, aeronautical, or materials engineering from an accredited college and a master’s degree in environmental engineering from an accredited college.
• A master’s degree in environmental engineering from an accredited college can only be used to substitute for one year of full‑time satisfactory work experience in environmental engineering.
Preferred Skills
• Ability to organize and prioritize to meet deadlines and coordinate multiple projects.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to use a computer to organize and analyze data.
• Ability to read and understand construction drawings.
• Knowledge of basic hydrology and hydraulic calculations.
• Experience using TR55, HEC, Hydro CAD or other hydrology/hydraulics software.
• Ability to work well with other staff and…