The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission was established in 1996 as an independently operated and managed regional water and wastewater utility that provides retail and wholesale water and sewer service to approximately 250,000 customers across multiple communities in the lower Pioneer Valley. The Commission has approximately 250 employees that operate and maintain a system of one thousand miles of water and sewer pipe, treatment plants and pump stations, reservoirs, watershed land, dams, and other critically import infrastructure that serves the public. 

For more information about the Commission, please visit our YouTube channel. 

The Senior Project Engineer is responsible for managing capital and operational projects at the Commission’s water treatment facility which includes the watershed (reservoirs, access roads, hydropower station, and dams), the treatment plant, transmission mains, and Provin Mountain where treated water is stored and ready for distribution to customers across the region.  The Commission is managing many and varied projects of different sizes and duration around the water treatment plant and watershed, and the successful applicant will spend time both in the field and in the office.  There is a palpable energy in the engineering department and at the water treatment plant as construction teams work on many improvements and new projects.

Construction of a new treatment plant is underway and anticipated to be online in 2028. This $300 million plant upgrade will include additional treatment processes including Dissolved Air Flotation and a dewatering system. The Commission’s engineers oversee the work of the contracted engineering and construction firms building the new plant and have the opportunity to participate in the construction of, and assist with the startup and operation of, this new state-of-the-art plant. 

Requirements:

Members of the Engineering and Technical Services Department are Civil or Environmental Engineers who have knowledge of the principles and practices of civil and environmental engineering including knowledge of water and wastewater engineering and construction focused on hydraulics of water distribution systems, dams, water storage and transmission, sanitary sewer collection systems, and storm water systems.

- B.S. in civil or environmental engineering and certification as a Professional Engineer (PE)

- ability and willingness to obtain a Massachusetts 2D OIT (distribution operator in training) certification within 2 years of employment

- at least ten (10) years of progressive experience in capital project management of medium to large scale water construction projects (water transmission, dams, drinking water, etc.)

- at least five (5) years of progressive project management experience including budgeting and scheduling and management of teams

The Senior Project Engineer is a skilled and experienced civil/environmental engineer who has a demonstrated history of leading a team to successfully complete projects.  In addition to technical knowledge, the position requires communication and interpersonal skills as well as organizational skills.

The Senior Project Engineer must be able to:

- successfully manage large and complex capital projects with minimal oversight

- successfully work with and manage engineering and other consulting companies with minimal oversight

- understand and interpret engineering plans, shop drawings, and specifications

- understand and interpret regulatory requirements pertaining to drinking water and dams

- coordinate the work of engineers, consultants, and others to generate accurate project reports, work schedules, and cost estimates

- facilitate conflict resolution that arises between/among SWSC staff and/or consultants or contractors

A complete job description is available upon request.

The successful candidate must be able to navigate terrain typical for watersheds, reservoirs and rivers, construction sites, and treatment plants.  The Engineering Department is based in Agawam, MA, but this position will be working primarily at the water treatment campus in Westfield, MA.  This is an in-person position (no remote work).

Hiring salary range for this position is $115,000-$130,000.

Benefits include very affordable Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance (with dental) as well as optional disability, life, long-term care insurances and a cafeteria plan.  The Commission provides 13 paid holidays as well as paid vacation, sick, and personal time.  Commission employees participate in the City of Springfield retirement system and credible service in a Massachusetts PERAC system can be carried over subject to the regulations of the Springfield Retirement Board.

Review of applications will begin July 6, 2026.

For information about the Commission and its generational capital project to create a state-of-the-art water treatment plant, please visit our YouTube channel.  

We anticipate that the successful applicant will be working primarily on and around our water treatment plant, including capital projects related to the new plant as well as maintenance and upgrades in the watershed in general.  

Examples of duties include but are not limited to:

• Assist with reviews and approvals of new and replacement water and sewer services: this work may include coordination, design, design reviews, installation, and inspection services

• Assist operations crews and consultants with observation of leak detection, distribution main flushing, fire flow testing, transmission and distribution valve rehabilitation, service and replacement

• Assist with various capital project designs including work order development, technical report reviews, and construction document reviews

• Assist senior staff with tracking and execution of projects utilizing engineering computer applications including MS Office, AutoCAD, hydraulic modeling, GIS, VueWorks (asset management and work orders)

• Assist with general office functions including word processing, document preparation, photo copying, filing, archiving, library organizing, and report preparation

• Assist with field activities such as culvert and dam inspections, pump station inspections, and construction oversight

The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission was established in 1996 as an independently operated and managed regional water and wastewater utility that provides retail and wholesale water and sewer service to approximately 250,000 residential and business customers across multiple communities in the lower Pioneer Valley.  The SWSC has approximately 250 employees that operate and maintain a system of one thousand miles of water and sewer pipe, treatment plants, reservoirs, watershed land, dams, and other critically import infrastructure that serves the public.    

SWSC’s mission is to provide an uninterrupted, high-quality supply of water to our customers, to collect and treat wastewater, and return clean water to the environment.  

This position requires a Civil or Environmental Engineer who has knowledge of the principles and practices of civil and environmental engineering as applied to water and wastewater engineering and construction focused on hydraulics of water distribution systems, sanitary sewer collection systems, and storm water systems, including:

- the ability to understand and interpret engineering plans and specifications; to perform general civil and environmental engineering calculations; and, to perform on-site resident inspection services and resolve conflicts with contractors;

- the ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and effectively with colleagues, partners, and consultants;

- the ability to effectively and accurately use appropriate software and technology.

- willing and able to obtain a Massachusetts Grade II Distribution Operator in Training (OIT) License within (3) three years 

- willing and able to obtain a Massachusetts Collection Systems Operator Certificate Grade II within (3) three years

The position includes work in an office environment as well as work in the field and the successful candidate must be able to navigate terrain typical for watersheds, reservoirs and rivers, construction sites, and treatment plants.  The Engineering department is based at our administrative offices in Agawam, MA, but the Engineer will be required to be in the field at project sites in Westfield, Springfield, Ludlow, and other Western MA locations.  This is an in-person position (no remote work).

Hiring salary range is $73,000 to $78,000/annually with 4 weeks of vacation and paid sick and personal time.

Benefits include very affordable Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance (with dental included) as well as optional disability, life, long-term care insurances and a cafeteria plan.  Employees of the Commission participate in a state pension plan.  Time worked for the Commission is considered public service for the purpose of federal student loan forgiveness.

Review of applications will begin July 6, 2026.