Planning Engineer

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority; Chelsea (MA); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is seeking an engineer to assist in developing and executing various projects within the Planning Department. The role supports senior staff with data gathering, modeling, and regulatory reporting.

The candidate will work under the Planning Division, contributing to watershed and reservoir modeling, water infrastructure rehabilitation coordination, and data analysis for meters and flows. Telework may be possible after an initial period.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering or related field.
• At least 1 year of design or engineering experience preferred, or equivalent education/experience.
• May be eligible for up to 50% telework after an initial waiting period.

Responsibilities

• Gathers and summarizes facility and system operational data with support from senior staff.
• Assists with GIS data entry and map preparation.
• Supports databases for watershed/runoff modeling, reservoir modeling, and drought response analysis.
• Assists in energy component calculations for environmental notebooks and greenhouse gas emissions assessment.
• Coordinates and manages Water Infrastructure Rehabilitation Program activities, including project reviews and site visits.
• Performs data analysis on water and wastewater meters and related flow components.
• Oversees work of consultants/contractors for outputs, budget, and schedule compliance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Writing & communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering

Tools

GIS

Excel

Database software

Job description

Are you looking to make a meaningful impact on public health and the environment? Join the MWRA team! We deliver some of the nation's highest-quality drinking water to 3 million residents, restored Boston Harbor, and continue to invest in protecting vital public resources. Be part of a mission-driven organization where your work truly makes a difference-in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Summary:

Assists in development and execution of various engineering projects in the Authority's Planning Department. With assistance from senior staff, provides engineering technical assistance to execute modeling projects and compiling regulatory and other technical reports in the department.

Posting Period, Location, Salary, and Schedule:

8/26/2026 to 9/9/2026
Location: Chelsea, MA
Salary: $76,106.45 - $106,271.73 Annually $1,463.59 - $2,043.69 Weekly
*Hires start at Step 1 $76,106.45
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm

Key Responsibilities:

• Utilizes Authority databases to gather and summarize facility and system operational data and assists senior engineering staff with evaluation and presentation of operational data.
• Assists with GIS data entry and preparing maps using GIS Data.
• Assists in updating and maintaining databases that support watershed runoff modeling, reservoir modeling, and reservoir level predictions during droughts and Lead and Copper Rule compliance.
• Assists in the preparation of the energy component of the Orange and Yellow Notebooks and in the annual evaluation of MWRA's greenhouse gas emissions.
• Assists in the coordination and management of the MWRA's Water Infrastructure Rehabilitation Program, including review of planning and design projects, as well as, site visits and inspections at local construction projects.
• Assists in the preparation of water and wastewater meter data analysis, calculation of wastewater flow components (infiltration, inflow and sanitary flow), water meter diurnal curves, and report preparation.
• Assists in the oversight of the work of professional engineering consultants and/or contractors for quality of outputs, budget and schedule compliance and conformance to contract terms.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering or a related field; and
• At least one (1) year of design or engineering experience preferred; or
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• May be eligible for up to 50% telework after an initial waiting period.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Solid knowledge of PC spreadsheet software, statistical data analysis, database and other computer software packages.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Tools and Equipment Used

Office equipment as normally associated with the use of telephone, personal computer including word processing and other software, copy and fax machine.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to sit and talk or hear. The employee occasionally required to walk; stand; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and vibration. The employee occasionally works in high precarious places and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud in field settings and moderately quiet in an office setting.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Works under the general supervision of the Senior Program Manager Mapping, Modeling and Data Management.

Other Position Information

PCR#: 1510016
Division: Operations
Department: Planning
Union/Grade: MOSES (Unit 9)/Grade 19

Equal Opportunity Statement

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.