Environmental Engineer Guide
Environmental Engineers perform responsible supervisory, field, office, or laboratory engineering work of varying degrees of difficulty and responsibility in environmental and/or fire protection engineering. They lead major sections, direct subordinate teams, prepare complex design plans, and evaluate environmental impacts.
SALARY RANGE
$78,740 minimum per annum (Subject to change; features three assignment levels starting at Level I)
DIPLOMA LEVEL
High School / Degree
OPEN WINDOW
Filing Scheds
Key Job Duties
What you will act and execute daily upon appointment:
- Act as section engineer in charge of major environmental or fire protection engineering projects, planning and reviewing subordinate workflows.
- Prepare or supervise the preparation of basic design plans, detailed layouts, technical specifications, contract drawings, and cost estimations for public works or structures.
- Evaluate environmental impacts, research pollution control technologies, and formulate updated municipal pollution control criteria, guides, and standards.
- Supervise testing, laboratory inspections, and field operation trials of materials and equipment destined for integration into City facilities or plants.
- Supervise the operation and maintenance of municipal fire protection systems, components, and fail-safe safety mechanisms.
- Review plans, drawings, and installations to ensure complete compliance with codes, statutes, contracts, and municipal resolutions; sign and seal documents when authorized.
Filing & Appointment Eligibility
Candidates must fulfill these rules BEFORE certification:
- NYS Registration: Must possess a valid license as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of New York (with current registration maintained throughout employment; license must be obtained by June 30, 2026).
- Pathway 1: A master’s degree in environmental, fire protection, chemical, mechanical, petroleum, aeronautical, or materials engineering from an accredited institution PLUS three (3) years of full-time, satisfactory experience in environmental and/or fire protection engineering work; OR
- Pathway 2: Four (4) years of full-time, satisfactory experience in environmental engineering and/or fire protection engineering work.
- Driver License: Appointing agencies may require a valid NYS Motor Vehicle Driver License for field inspection routes.
- City Residency: According to the official Advisory, New York City residency is not required for this position.
Computerized Examination Pattern
Education and Experience Exam (EEE) questionnaire completed online via OASys. Candidates are rated on a baseline of 70 points for meeting the minimum license, education, and experience requirements, plus up to 30 additional points (maximum 100 points) based on advanced experience in environmental protection/pollution engineering (ranging from 3.75 points for 1-2 years up to 30 points for 8+ years), relevant Master's degrees (up to 3.6 points depending on the discipline), and active professional certifications (2 points for qualifying licenses like LSRP, CHMM, CSP, or SPDES/SWPPP permits).
Official Exam Syllabus & Cognitive Skill Focus
Knowledge areas, trade competencies, and cognitive abilities evaluated by DCAS:
Environmental and Fire Protection Engineering Designs
Formulating blueprint schematics, design standards, detailed layouts, and structural blueprints for water, wastewater, fire prevention, and air safety networks.
Pollution Control and Compliance
Engineering studies of ecological impacts, reviewing device functionality, and establishing localized emission, discharge, and stormwater criteria.
Project Supervision and Quality Inspection
Coordinating work tasks among engineering technicians, drafting budget timelines, monitoring safety regulations, and testing plant equipment.
NYS and NYC Environmental Regulations
Reviewing building codes, National Air Quality Standards, SPDES wastewater discharges, and municipal fire prevention directives.
Physical Demands & Environmental Conditions
Physical activities performed and environments experienced in this role:
- Walking long distances to and from field facilities, construction layouts, and active environmental sites.
- Climbing and descending scaffolding, vertical stairs, and high ladders to inspect high-altitude containment or duct networks.
- Standing for extended durations on structural steel frameworks, concrete platforms, or testing zones.
- Working inside confined, compact, or restricted spaces to survey sewer configurations or exhaust routes.
- Distinguishing rich color palettes for instrumentation wires, hazard warnings, and chemicals.
- Wearing standard protective equipment including safety boots, hard hats, safety glasses, and chemical respirators.
Special Working Conditions
Operational environments and agency-specific criteria:
- Shift Flexibility: May be required to handle non-standard schedules including evening shifts, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
- Environmental Hazards: Daily exposure to areas that are dark, damp, dusty, smoky, acoustically loud, acrid, or active under-construction zones across New York City.
Filing and Application Fee Process
Applications must be submitted online through the DCAS OASys portal (www.nyc.gov/examsforjobs). The application fee is $88.00 (plus a 2.0% service fee for credit/debit card payments). Full fee waivers are available for veterans, unemployed individuals, or select public assistance/SSI/Medicaid recipients. The Education and Experience Exam (EEE) questionnaire must be finalized before midnight Eastern time on the last day of the application period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Important Timelines
Filing Period runs from June 3, 2026, to June 23, 2026. The NYS PE License requirement must be met by June 30, 2026. Education and Experience Exams (EEE) must be finalized in OASys by June 23, 2026.
Recommended Practice Modules
Related Updates & Guides
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