Job Description

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 Coastal Resilience (BCR) was created in October 2023, fulfilling a major initiative in Mayor Adam’s PlaNYC strategy aimed at addressing the risks of current and future coastal flooding in New York City.

The Bureau of Coastal Resilience’s vision is for a vibrant, healthy and safe coastal environment that allows people and businesses to thrive in the face of a changing climate – and specifically to, sea level rise, high tide events and storm surge. This requires a holistic, forward thinking, inclusive and equitable response to the risks of coastal flooding and an integrated approach to watershed management. BCR will develop and implement strategic planning initiatives and will be responsible for the operations and maintenance of coastal infrastructure assets along NYC’s 520 miles of shoreline. BCR is committed to a coordinated approach to planning and response across NYC agencies, while working closely with community and partners.

BCR is seeking to hire an Assistant Commissioner, Coastal Resilience Engineering & Project Management. The Assistant Commissioner will manage the engineering design and capital program for coastal resilience which entails short and long-term asset management, infrastructure design review, grant management, flood risk assessments (relating to floodline modelling and mapping) and risk mitigation. This position requires strong collaboration and engagement with relevant City agencies, such as City Planning, Design and Construction, Buildings, Transportation, Parks, Management and Budget, Small Business Services, and the NYC Economic Development Corporation, among others, as well as our State and Federal partners.

The Assistant Commissioner reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner, Coastal Resilience and will be tasked with:

• Recruit and lead a strong, multi-disciplinary team of professionals including: engineers, landscape architects, ecologists, GIS specialists etc;

• Establish division procedures including budgeting, strategy, capital planning & design, regulatory compliance;

• Work closely with DDC and BEDC on contract management for new assets under construction along NYCs 520 miles of coastline;

• Lead design and operations planning for outfalls, tide gates and other coastal assets within the purview of DEP;

• Work closely with BWSO, BWT, BEPA to identify opportunities for a DEP one water approach to flood risk management;

• Engage with US Army Corps of Engineers on key projects, including: NYNJ HATS and other coastal storm risk management projects such as South Shore of Staten Island project and the Rockaways Bayside project, coordinating multi-agency input on design, engineering and implementation;

• Undertake all BCR activities relating to FEMA mapping accreditation, soil remediation, wetland mitigation, flood vulnerability mapping and integration of climate science data into future-forward planning initiatives;

• Engage with the public, elected officials, the press, and other stakeholders to raise awareness about coastal resilience issues and initiatives;

• Establish a strong culture within the team that centers quality, technical acumen, environmental justice and equity;

• Be a good steward of resources through effective grant management, records retention and risk management across all delivery areas.

Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four years of experience of a nature to qualify for the duties of the position, at least 18 months of which must

have been in an administrative, managerial, consultative, or executive capacity or supervising personnel performing activities related to the duties of the position; or

• A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. However, all candidates must have the 18 months of administrative, managerial, executive, consultative or supervisory experience described in "1" above.

Additional Information

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.