Assistant Engineer (Environmental) / Engineer Trainee - NY HELPS

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation; City of Albany (NY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday & Paid Time Off

Pension

Health care options

Job summary

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking an Engineer Trainee/Assistant Engineer under the NY HELPS program. The role supports the Bureau of Water Compliance in statewide CSO/SSO permitting, enforcement, and SPDES activities.

Responsibilities include reviewing engineering reports, developing SPDES permits for CSO municipalities, and tracking enforcement actions while collaborating with federal, state, and local agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or engineering technology, or FE + 1 year of engineering experience.
• FE exam with qualifying degree or 1 year of qualifying engineering experience.
• Multiple qualifying engineering degrees are listed (e.g., Environmental, Civil, Sanitary, Water Resources).
• Engineer Trainee or Assistant Engineer pathways with NY HELPS program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate CSO and SSO permitting and enforcement programs.
• Develop SPDES permits for municipalities with CSOs.
• Review Water Treatment Chemical reports and make determinations.
• Derive water quality-based effluent limits for SPDES permits.
• Develop guidance for CSO permits and LTCP implementation.
• Track SSOs and prioritize enforcement efforts; modify SPDES permits as needed.
• Prepare statewide enforcement and compliance reports.
• Review engineering reports and communicate findings.

Skills

Engineering knowledge

Microsoft Office

Driver's license

Education

Engineering degree

FE exam (NCEES)

Civil/Environmental Engineering degree list

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Duties Description

The successful candidate will apply their engineering knowledge to assist the Bureau of Water Compliance in its mission for consistent statewide understanding and implementation of Division of Water (DOW) permitting, compliance and enforcement activities.

Description

Duties Description

The successful candidate will apply their engineering knowledge to assist the Bureau of Water Compliance in its mission for consistent statewide understanding and implementation of Division of Water (DOW) permitting, compliance and enforcement activities.

Essential Functions

• Assist in the coordination of DOW’s Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) and Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) permitting and enforcement programs.
• Apply knowledge of the Clean Water Act and State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit program in developing individual State Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems (SPDES) permits for municipalities with CSOs.
• Review Water Treatment Chemical reports for municipal wastewater treatment systems and make authorization determinations.
• Conduct water quality evaluations and derive water quality based effluent limitations for SPDES permits.
• Assist in the development of guidance materials for CSO Permits and Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP) implementation, including guidance on Post Construction Compliance Monitoring and Post LTCP activities.
• Assist in tracking municipalities with SSOs and development of strategies for prioritization of enforcement efforts. Modify existing SPDES permits to remove SSOs that do not meet goals of the Clean Water Act.
• Assist with development of Statewide Reports to reflect DOW’s enforcement efforts for CSOs and SSOs.
• Assist in the review of engineering reports, design plans, and specifications for improvements to wastewater treatment facilities and conveyance systems. Effectively document and communicate findings.
• Assist in oversight of formal enforcement cases, including violations of SPDES permits and Administrative Orders on Consent.
• Prepare effective written communication in compliance with New York State, DEC, and DOW policy.
• Establish and maintain effective inter-personal relationships, and communicate constructively with multiple federal, state, and local government agencies, the public, and various interest groups.
• Must be able to effectively use Microsoft Office
• Occasional travel to locations across the state

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

AE (Environmental)/Trainee – NY HELPS

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).

For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.

To be eligible for appointment under NY HELPS, candidates must meet the minimum qualifications below:

Minimum Qualifications For Appointment To Engineer Trainee, NS

Either 1. A bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or engineering technology as listed below;

Or 2. Proof of passing the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) AND one year of full-time engineering experience as listed below.

Minimum Qualifications For Appointment To Assistant Engineer (Environmental), SG-20

Proof of passing the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) AND a qualifying bachelor's degree or higher as listed below; OR proof of passing the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) AND one year of full-time qualifying engineering experience as listed below.

Qualifying degrees: Aeronautical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering Technology, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Engineering Technology, Environmental Design Engineering, Environmental Resources Engineering, Environmental Systems Engineering, Forest Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Paper Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Soil and Water Resources Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or Engineering Science with a recognized concentration in any of the above listed engineering degrees.

Qualifying experience: One year of full-time experience in sanitary, public health or environmental engineering.

Candidates may also be appointed via the following, if applicable:

Reassignment – Currently in the title and an employee of DEC

or

Reinstatement – Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis.

or

Transfer – One year of permanent competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer in accordance with Section 70.1 of Civil Service Law.

55 b/c Appointment – Must meet the minimum qualifications above. Please note that if applying under the 55b/, candidates must include with their resume or application, a copy of the letter from Civil Service which indicates approval for the 55b/c program.

Individuals appointed as an Engineer Trainee are required to complete a minimum of one year of successful performance as an Engineer Trainee and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. If you pass the FE by the end of the first year, you may be advanced to the Grade 20 Assistant Engineer (Environmental) title. If you do not pass the FE by the end of the second year of the traineeship, you will be terminated from your position.

Additional Comments

If appointment is at the Assistant Engineer, SG-20 level, the starting salary for this position is $84,532. This amount is comprised of the base salary of $77,532 with an additional geographic pay differential of $7,000, specific to this title and location.

The job rate for this position is $105,354. This amount is comprised of the base salary of $98,354 with an additional geographic pay differential of $7,000, specific to this title and location.

Please note, this is not extended to any trainee titles. If appointed at trainee level, you will receive differential upon advancement to grade 20.

Must have a valid driver's license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.

Travel may be required.

Telecommuting may be available up to 50% of work schedule, will be discussed at interview.

We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees' Retirement System
• Shift & Geographic pay differentials
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
• And many more...

For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. DEC is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. DEC embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency. If you are a person with a disability and wish to request that a reasonable accommodation be provided for you to participate in a job interview, please email: [e-mail].

Please be advised, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation does not use E-Verify, and we are unable to provide sponsorship for employment visa statuses (i.e. H-1B, Self-Sponsorship, STEM OPT).