Assistant Engineer / Engineer Trainee

About the Role

This position 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.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct site inspections at permitted municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities and evaluate for compliance with applicable program requirements.
• Prepare documents for compliance and enforcement activities for sanitary, industrial, and stormwater State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permits.
• Review applications and develop permits for SPDES and water withdrawal permits.
• Review engineering plans and reports for sanitary and stormwater projects.
• Investigate complaints pertaining to permitted facilities and water quality impacts and conduct follow-up activities.
• Review and score grant applications for the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) and Engineering Planning Grant (EPG) programs.
• Manage grant contracts.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Valid driver’s license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.
• Ability to negotiate difficult terrain.
• Ability to work in remote areas.
• Ability to work in adverse weather conditions.
• Travel may be required.
• Telecommuting may be available up to 50% of work schedule, to be discussed at interview.

Qualifications

For Appointment To Engineer Trainee

• Option 1: A bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or engineering technology as listed below.
• Option 2: Proof of passing the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) AND one year of full-time engineering experience in sanitary, public health, or environmental engineering.

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

• Option 1: Proof of passing the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) AND a qualifying bachelor's degree or higher as listed below.
• Option 2: Proof of passing the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) AND one year of full-time qualifying engineering experience in sanitary, public health, or environmental engineering.

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
• 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.

Additional Notes

• Candidates for Engineer Trainee are required to complete a minimum of one year of successful performance and pass the FE exam.
• Advancement to Assistant Engineer (Environmental) may occur upon passing the FE exam within the first year of the traineeship.
• Termination from the Engineer Trainee position will occur if the FE exam is not passed by the end of the second year.
• Preferred: Effective written and oral communication skills to interact with the regulated community, consulting engineers, other involved agencies, and the public.
• Preferred: Ability to work outside in various weather conditions and in varying terrain.

Salary Information

• Assistant Engineer, SG-20 Starting Salary: $84,532 (includes $77,532 base + $7,000 geographic pay differential).
• Assistant Engineer, SG-20 Job Rate: $105,354 (includes $98,354 base + $7,000 geographic pay differential).
• Note: Salary information does not extend to trainee titles. Differential will be applied upon advancement to Grade 20.

Additional Appointment Paths

• Reassignment - Currently an employee of DEC.
• Reinstatement - Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis.
• 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 and provide a letter of approval from Civil Service.