Chemical Engineering Intern

Company 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.

The Bureau of Water Supply seeks to hire a Chemical Engineering Intern within the Process Control Unit, Quality Assurance & Support Services Division, Drinking Water Operations Directorate located in Valhalla, New York.

The Drinking Water Operations (DWO) is responsible for the operation, maintenance, treatment and quality of three water supply systems and all associated infrastructure that conveys water to New York City. These systems include the Croton, Catskill, and Delaware Systems. The Directorate also operates and maintains seven Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs), including five collection systems that protect the headwaters of these systems. The directorate provides maintenance and operation of the Croton Water Filtration Plant, Jerome Park and Hillview Reservoirs, the Cat-Del UV Plant, Chlorination and Fluoridation at Delaware Aqueduct Shaft 18, Chlorine Dioxide at Croton Lake Gate House and the Ashokan Chemical Treatment Facility, Pleasantville Alum Plant, and other associated dams, aqueducts, shafts, waterworks, highways, support systems, and offices.

The Directorate is also responsible for maintaining compliance with all federal and state drinking water regulations through extensive water quality monitoring and research, resolution of water quality issues and data analysis and reporting both in the watershed and the distribution systems. Additional compliance and technical services provided include ensuring hazardous material clean up throughout the watershed, Dam Safety, Risk Management Program and Environmental Health and Safety compliance within the directorate. The directorate also provides direct oversight to implementation of the bureau Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).

Under direct supervision, of the Engineering Supervisor, the Chemical Engineering Intern will support the Quality Assurance & Support Services Division, Process Control Unit by performing foundational chemical engineering work that contributes to the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of NYC's drinking water systems. The intern assists with research, investigations, inspections, testing, and the preparation of engineering plans, treatment reports, and quality assurance evaluations, while receiving structured training toward the Assistant Chemical Engineer level. This role supports the Division's responsibility for maintaining regulatory compliance and operational reliability across critical water treatment and filtration facilities by engaging in engineering tasks related to design, construction supervision, operations, maintenance, and asset management within the Croton Filtration Plant and other DWO infrastructure. Specific duties include:

- Serving as a member of a small unit or group engaged in the performance of design, construction supervision, service contract supervision, inspection, testing, or computer aided design drawing.

- Engaging in research, investigations, studies or examinations related to the engineering functions or operational activities of the division.

- Engaging in the review and preparation of regulatory treatment reports and quality assurance checks of treatment plant data.

- Preparing designs, plans, contract and working drawings, service contract specifications, service contract scopes of work, estimates of quantities, contract payment requisitions, and related contract correspondence.

- Participating in or supervising the inspection of premises and the construction, demolition or alteration of structures in connection with the issuance of certificates of occupancy or other requisite or pertinent permits and compliance with the provisions of law, rules and regulation.

- Participating in or supervising the maintenance and development of equipment and facility assets in the division's computerized maintenance and management system.

Competencies:

- Applies practical diagnostic methods to identify and resolve issues in chemical feed systems, treatment processes, and equipment performance.
- Reads and interprets chemical delivery and feed schematics to ensure proper system operation and safe handling of treatment chemicals.
- Understands core water treatment processes, equipment functions, and regulatory requirements relevant to filtration and disinfection systems.
- Demonstrates consistent attention to detail, accuracy, and thoroughness in daily tasks and documentation.
- Communicates clearly and proactively with team members and supervisors to support coordinated operations.
- Analyzes data, identifies patterns, and applies sound reasoning to support operational decisions and problem-solving.
- Organizes and prioritizes tasks effectively to meet deadlines and support unit workflow.

Standards:

- Completes assigned work within established timelines and follows through on commitments.
- Prioritizes responsibilities based on urgency, operational needs, and supervisory direction.
- Maintains reliable attendance and adheres to scheduled work hours.
- Follows safety protocols, uses required protective equipment, and promotes a safe working environment.

License Requirement:

At the time of appointment, candidates must possess a Motor Vehicle Driver License valid in the State of New York. Employees must maintain this license for the duration of employment.

(This is a brief description of what you might do in this position and does not include all the duties of this position.)

Some of the physical activities performed by Chemical Engineering Interns, and environmental conditions experienced are: the ability to stand or walk for long periods, lift heavy objects, climb ladders and steep grades, enter small or confined spaces, lifting objects up to waist height; fingering, grasping, squeezing and/or turning objects such as tools and equipment; pushing and pulling objects such as tools and levers using one or two hands; reaching at a distance up to arm's length; coordinating the movements of hands and feet; and balancing body on foot stools or ladders from 3 to 30 feet in height while standing and working with hands overhead. In order to perform the essential tasks of the position, Chemical Engineering Interns may be required to: wear protective equipment such as gloves, boots, goggles, earplugs, noise attenuators, face shields, and/or respirators; work in temperatures ranging from 0 degree Fahrenheit and 105 degree Fahrenheit in wetness and varying atmospheric conditions such as high and low humidity; work in the presence of toxic and/or corrosive chemicals and moving parts of machinery and equipment; and work in restricted spaces for up to 1 hour at a time and on surfaces made of metal gratings, macadam and/or cement.

Special Working Conditions: Chemical Engineering Interns may be required to work shifts including nights, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Preferred Skills:

- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
- Ability to use computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) software and NYC DEP applications for timekeeping and performance evaluations.
- Ability to program with Python, and use PowerBI to support data analysis and reporting.
- Ability to anticipate possible problems and develop contingency plans in advance
- Ability to anticipate the consequences of situation and plan accordingly
- Ability to work independently

Work Location:

465 Columbus Avenue
Valhalla, NY 10595

Valhalla is a hamlet in the Town of Mount Pleasant, Westchester County, NY approximately 28 miles from mid-town Manhattan.

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING INTERN - 20503

Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree in chemical engineering from an accredited college; or

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college in chemical engineering technology and two years of full-time satisfactory experience in chemical engineering work.

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.