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.

New York City has approximately 140,000 catch basins, 114,000 hydrants, 90,000 valves, 14 gatehouses, 3 reservoirs, 68 groundwater wells, a 100 million gallon underground storage tank and 7,000 miles each of both sanitary sewers and water mains. The responsibility of maintaining these vast networks falls under the Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations (BWSO).

The primary responsibilities of the Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations are: the operation, maintenance and protection of the City’s drinking water and wastewater collection (sewer) systems; the protection of adjacent waterways; and the development and protection of the Department’s Capital Water and Sewer Design Program. The Bureau also approves and inspects water and sewer connections performed by licensed plumbers and/or authorized contractors. In addition, the Bureau has overall responsibility for the approval and inspection of all public and private construction projects which could impact on the City’s water or sewer systems.

The Bureau is also responsible for the operation of the Staten Island Bluebelt. This is an ecologically sound, cost effective natural alternative to storm sewers, which occupies approximately 15 square miles of land in the South Richmond area of Staten Island. This project preserves streams, ponds and other wetland ("bluebelt") areas, allowing them to perform their natural function of conveying, storing and filtering storm water. These areas also provide important community open spaces and a diverse wildlife habitat.

We are seeking a motivated candidate to serve as the Chief of Bluebelt Planning and Design in our Division of Engineering. The Bluebelt project is an award-winning program that originated in Staten Island and has been expanded to all of the boroughs. You will be an integral part of the Division supervising a technical unit of approximately 10-15 staff with the possibility of growth. This candidate will report directly to the Director of Capital Program Management within the Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations (BWSO). The position will be tasked with initiating and directing the preparation of plans and policies for the planning, design and construction of storm water management best management practices.

Essential Job Functions include:
- Responsible for defining strategic initiatives as well as allocating staff, consultants, contractors, and other resources in executing planning, feasibility studies, design contracts, construction work and procurement for the Bluebell program.
- Manage consultant contracts and ensure tasks are on time and coordinated with the capital program.
- Lead and conduct feasibility studies/research on storm-water runoff on water quality and hydraulics within Bluebelt locations.
- Interface with DEP personnel and other governmental agencies to coordinate Bluebelt drainage planning with the agency's drainage plan and capital program. Ensure all designs for capital projects conform to the drainage plan.
- Coordinate with governmental agencies to obtain permits and resolve issues surrounding the use of Wetlands, streams, parks, etc. for storm water management as part of the Bluebelt program.
- Oversee and coordinate with other bureaus and agencies in the preparation of SEQRA/CEQRA procees, ULURP, for any new Bluebelt projects.
- Manage and maintain all of the federal, state and regional permits necessary for the construction and operation of the Bluebelts.
- Coordinate with the Law Department and Department of City Planning on land acquisition for the Bluebelt program.
- Manage scope, schedule, revisions, and metrics for project assignments and establish project prioritization.
- Coordination of resiliency objectives.

Qualification Requirements
A valid New York State Registration as a Landscape architect is required. In addition, candidates must have six (6) years of full-time paid experience in landscape architectural work, at least two (2) years of which shall have been as an administrative landscape architect.

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.