Springfield Water and Sewer Commission (SWSC) is seeking engineers to join its Engineering and Technical Services Department.  Commission employees are the stewards of clean water for the lower Pioneer Valley. Our work protects public health and the environment by providing drinking water, fire protection, forest stewardship, clean rivers and streams, and wastewater treatment. The Commission is looking for a professional who wants to be a part of something bigger than themselves and join a team committed to serving the public by providing essential services. The Commission is a dynamic work organization with a fast-paced environment and a plethora of capital projects as well as upgrades and maintenance projects in the city and in the watershed.  

This position includes working in the field as well as working in an office environment. The Commission has a strong history of growing and promoting its employees. Most employees will spend a significant amount of their careers with the Commission and enjoy opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

Positions in the Engineering and Technical Services Department include:

Engineer – the ideal candidate will have a BS in civil or environmental engineering and 2-4 years of experience in the utility sector with a preference for experience in the water sector.

Project Manager – the ideal candidate will have all of the requirements for Engineer plus 3-5 years managing projects.          

Project Engineer – the ideal candidate will have all of the requirements for Project Manager plus the P.E. license.

Senior Project Manager – the ideal candidate will have all of the requirements for Project Manager with an additional minimum 5 years’ experience managing projects in the water sector.

Senior Project Engineer - the ideal candidate will have all of the requirements for Project Engineer with an additional minimum 5 years’ experience (i.e., 10 years total) managing projects in the water sector

About SWSC:

For information on our current capital projects please watch this video and this video. 

SWSC 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 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.  As parts of the Commission’s water and wastewater systems have remained in continuous service for approximately a century (and sometimes more), the Commission has been making strategic and coordinated efforts in recent years to reinvest in infrastructure renewal. The efforts include comprehensive, integrated project planning, and strategic financing.  There are more than thirty projects included in the Commission’s five-year, $500 million capital improvement plan to replace aging infrastructure, reduce risk, and maintain regulatory compliance. A keystone project of this upgrade is significant modernization of West Parish Filters Water Treatment Plant. The plant was last modernized in 1974 and has experienced challenges meeting current regulations related to disinfection byproducts (including HAA5) due to its 1970s technology.  SWSC staff have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to be part of the construction of a state-of-the-art water treatment plant. 

Requirements: 

All of our Engineering positions require 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. 

In addition, some positions require professional licenses or certifications, including the P.E. license, a Massachusetts Grade II Distribution Operator in Training (OIT) License, and/or a Massachusetts Collection Systems Operator Certificate Grade II. 

Key duties:

• Assist with review and approval of new and replacement water and sewer services: this work may include coordination, design, design reviews, installation, and inspection services.
• Respond to questions/concerns and requests for information from customers, property owners, contractors, engineers and other federal, state, or municipal personnel.
• Assist operations crews and observe leak detection, distribution main flushing, transmission and distribution valve rehabilitation, services and replacements.
• Produce (or assist in the production of) various capital project designs including work order development, technical report reviews, and construction document reviews
• Generate (or assist in the generation of) requests for proposals, specifications, drawings and other contract documents.
• Manage and monitor projects (or assist with managing and monitoring) through the use of engineering computer applications including Excel, Word, AutoCAD, power point, hydraulic modeling, and GIS, VueWorks, and Springbrook
• Conduct (or assist with) field activities such as dam inspections, pump station inspections, and construction oversight
• Perform (or assist with) cost estimating, project scheduling, and progress report preparation
• Participate as needed or required in typical office function including word processing, document preparation, photocopying, filing, archiving, library organizing, and report preparation
• Perform other related duties as assigned.  

These positions include 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 in Agawam, MA, but engineers are required to be in the field at project sites in Springfield, Ludlow, and other Western MA locations.  This is an in-person position (no remote work). 

Hiring salary ranges are typically as indicated below: 

Engineer – $72,00-$76,000     

Project Manager – $76,000 - $84,000           

Project Engineer – $84,000 - $92,000 

Senior Project Manager – $92,000-$100,000 

Senior Project Engineer - $100,000-$110,000  

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 the state's pension plan.  The Commission provides 13 paid holidays as well as paid vacation, sick, and personal time.

To apply, please complete the application and upload a resume and letter of interest.  Resumes will be reviewed as they are received.

JOB CODE: 1000028