Water Distribution & Operations Director

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 152,000 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). Join an Engineering team recognized for leadership, innovation and diversity. The Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations is seeking to hire a highly qualified Administrative Engineer to serve as the Director of Distribution Operations. This position will fall under the Assistant Commissioner of Operations. You will lead a staff of Engineers in performing complex, professional work in the development and improvement of major operational functions of the Bureau’s Division of Distribution Operations from front stage through end cycle. You will direct four Chiefs, and indirectly supervise the allocation of a large scale professional, engineering, and administrative staff in the respective sections of: Distribution Engineering: the Director will provide direction and guidance to a staff of managers, technical/clerical staff, and trades personnel in providing engineering oversight and engineering planning of daily operation of BWSO’s water supply transmission and distribution system throughout the 5 Boroughs of New York, including water supply emergencies, operating and maintaining trunk main valves and pressure reducing valves throughout the system, conducting investigations and remediation related to electrolysis conditions on water mains, and reviewing specifications for materials and approving new materials and mechanical components. Operational Information Systems: the Director will provide direction and guidance to a staff of Engineers and Technical professionals managing the effective and efficient operation of operational software, instruments, security systems, and CCTV equipment in various facilities throughout the five boroughs. Groundwater, Pumping, In-City Reservoirs, and Richmond Chlorination Units: the Director will provide direction and guidance to a managerial, engineering, tradesman, and blue collar staff involved with in-City chemical treatment plants and pumping stations to ensure proper treatment of the NYC drinking water supply, adequate pressure throughout the distribution system for proper delivery of drinking water to residents, and compliance with various regulations related to the groundwater system, reservoir dams, etc. Shaft Maintenance: the Director will provide direction and guidance to a staff of over fifty Engineering, Technical and Trades professionals engaged in all aspects of the operation, repair and maintenance of shafts (distribution chambers) on NYC’s Water Tunnels and Aqueducts to ensure proper functioning of systems critical to sustain an adequate supply of portable water. Responsibilities Direct and supervise a staff of professional engineers and tradesmen in overseeing the operation of the downstate distribution system, which involves in-City chemical treatment plants and pumping stations to ensure proper treatment of the NYC drinking water supply, adequate pressure throughout the distribution system for proper delivery of drinking water to residents, and ensuring proper changes to the distribution system are made when required. Direct and supervise the operation and maintenance of all pumping facilities. The Director will be responsible for overseeing the uninterrupted supply of water distribution systems, designated discharge pressure and the development of action plans to address pumping emergencies. Coordinate multiple design, construction, and maintenance contracts in the millions of dollars with major impact to the City’s water transmission and distribution system. Make recommendations to inform the overall direction of distribution planning and expenditures. Assist in the long-term planning efforts in the management of the Division’s primary mission which is providing residents of the City of New York with the highest quality potable drinking water, and a properly functioning water supply system. Oversee the development of quality assurance methods and standards and direct analysis and in-depth studies to ensure the integrity of the infrastructure and appurtenances. Assist in the coordination of the overall management of the Bureau’s emergency response efforts to water main breaks, sewer breaks, major floods, hydrant alerts, water quality alerts, drought conditions, and other related situations. Minimum Qualifications A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college in engineering, engineering technology, architecture, landscape architecture, architectural technology, construction, construction management, construction technology, sustainable design, urban planning, urban studies, city planning, transportation planning, business administration, or public administration, and five years of full‑time satisfactory experience in the planning, administering or expediting of engineering design, and/or construction, or coordinating a very large engineering project, two years of which must have been in an administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory capacity; or A four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and nine years of experience as described in ‘1’ above; two years of which must have been in an administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory capacity; or Education and/or experience equivalent to ‘1’ or ‘2’ above. One year of experience credit will be given for: (a) each 30 semester credits of college or university education leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the relevant disciplines; (b) an accredited Master’s degree in one of the disciplines described in ‘1’ above; (c) a Juris Doctor degree; or (d) a valid New York State license as a Professional Engineer, Registered Architect or Landscape Architect. However, all candidates must have the two years of the administrative, managerial, executive, or supervisory experience as described in ‘1’ above. Preferred Skills Professional Engineer’s license preferred. Expert knowledge of the operation of large municipal water systems. Expert knowledge in financial and budgeting operations, particularly with regard to a large municipal environment. The knowledge of the mechanics of finance, fiscal appropriations and budgeting and their relationship to local, city, county, state and federal governments. Thorough knowledge of important landscape architectural work of major scope and having great community impact, involving programs of extraordinary size and capital costs. The ability to communicate and interface with various city, state, federal and local governments. Excellent management skills, including planning, coordination, problem solving, supervision and control. Excellent verbal and writing skills. 55a Program This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55‑a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55‑a Program. Public Service Loan Forgiveness As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website ( Residency Requirement There is no residency requirement for this position. 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 on 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr NYC Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP)