Wastewater Advisory Committee for the MWRA seeks PE

The Wastewater Advisory Committee to the MWRA is seeking a Professional Engineer licensed in Massachusetts and living in Massachusetts for membership on the WAC.

Preference for engineers with a background in water or energy technology, but will consider resumes from electrical, mechanical and civil engineers.

The Wastewater Advisory Committee (WAC) is an independent forum for discussion of wastewater issues that affect MWRA and its member communities. WAC needs PE members, who do not have conflicts of interest to apply for appointment by the MWRA Board. The WAC meets on the first Friday of the month from 10:30 am -12:30 pm except in July, August and December. Meetings are mostly remote, except for tours of facilities. If you are interested in applying, please see below for details:

ACTION REQUESTED:  If you are applying, forward your resume in Word, with full home and work contact information on it, to Abbie Goodman, by April 18, 2025.

Note: If your resume does not have full home (and work, if employed) contact information at the top of the document and does not come to me in Word, we will be unable to forward it to the Wastewater Advisory Committee’s Executive Director.

Background on the Wastewater Advisory Committee

• Founded in 1990 by the MWRA Board of Directors, the Wastewater Advisory Committee (WAC) offers independent advice on wastewater policies, purchases and more. It is successor to the Facilities Planning Citizens Advisory Committee, which was founded as part of extensive public participation around the siting and planning of new wastewater facilities for the Boston Harbor Cleanup.

WAC’s duties include:

• Review & comment to the MWRA on reports and proposed documents, offer independent advice on current and proposed wastewater program and policy directions to further MWRA objectives
• Reflect the knowleged and interest of major affected constituencies, including:
  • Engineering
  • Construction
  • Buisness/Industry
  • Planning
  • Academic research
  • Environmental advocacy
• Advise MWRA on wastewater planning
• Increase citizen participation and education. Review programs and explain plans & policies to residents.
• Comment on new NPDES (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System) permits and other draft regulations that affect wastewater (Deer Island’s Draft NPDES permit was issued May 31, 2024, and a final has not been issued yet)

More information:   https://www.mwra.com/about-mwra/advisory-groups/wastewater-advisory-committee-wac

Job Description

• Title:  Member, Wastewater Advisory Committee
• Reports to: WAC Chairman (elected every 2 years by membership)
• Purpose: Attend a minimum of 7 of WAC’s 9 meetings, discuss and vote on recommendations to the MWRA or outside regulators.
• Term:  2 years, appointed by MWRA Board; automatic re-appointment; opportunity to serve as an officer.

WAC reimburses for member parking or transit fare used to attend meetings or tours.

Obligations of WAC:

• Make recommendations to MWRA
• Avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.  This means that if your firm does work for MWRA or regularly submits proposals to MWRA, even as subconsultant to a prime designer, you should not apply.