Water Systems Operation Specialist Apprentice

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 is seeking 3 candidates for its 24-month NYS Registered Apprenticeship program, Water Systems Operation Specialist. The selected candidates will work directly with Watershed Maintainers through a 24-month period of on-the-job training (4000 hours), learning to perform duties related to the operation, maintenance, and inspection of equipment, water treatment facilities, watershed areas, reservoirs, and aqueducts systems of the City of New York.

In addition, Apprentices will be required to complete related classroom training (288 hours), to obtain a NYS Dept of Health Water License.

Training and competency development will focus on maintaining facilities and operating both field and water treatment specific equipment, maintaining and repairing facilities, lands, roads, bridges, dams and other structures using hand or power tools, machine tools and industrial power equipment including snowplows, graders, backhoes and loaders, making necessary road repairs, mowing lawns, road edges and dams, and operating necessary equipment in connection therewith, assisting in collecting water samples and performing water quality related analysis as directed, assisting in the preparation of daily plant operations and activity reports, recording readings of equipment such as meters and gauges using data recording equipment such as but not limited to Human Machine Interface (HMI) and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), performing basic calculations, take water samples, maintain control room and equipment logs, complete inspection and work ticket records, maintain overall drinking water quality per regulatory and DEP requirements, operating motor vehicles, snow removal equipment and other powered equipment, cleaning and maintaining facility grounds, structures, and equipment, performing tasks that require physical labor, i.e. entering confined spaces, lifting, climbing ladders and complying with all environmental health and safety laws, agency policies, rules and regulations.

Starting Salary will be $19.14 an hour, increase to $21.73 at the commencement of the second year. Upon completion of the program, the title will matriculate to a Watershed Maintainer at the incumbent salary rate. Generous benefit package including medical after 90 days, dental and vision insurance, pension, and paid sick and vacation leave.

Candidates will be required to wear a respirator while performing the essential functions of this job. Employees must be physically able to wear a respirator. OSHA regulations have established medical guidelines for wearing a respirator. Once selected, apprenticeship candidates will be required to submit to medical examinations to demonstrate that they met applicable OSHA Standards and to monitor their medical status.

Once hired, employees must continue to satisfy OSHA regulations for the duration of their employment.

Driver’s license valid in the State of New York.

Apprentices must be at least 18 years old at the time of hire, possess a High School diploma or equivalent, and a valid Driver’s License. While there are no formal education or experience requirements, certain programs may require such standards. Good physical condition is required for certain programs.

• Trades or related work experience, military, vocational/trade school or general work experience a plus.
• Ability to communicate, effective interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to accept the obligation of apprenticeship, including completion of related instruction and…