Geology Jobs in Utica, NY (NOW HIRING)

Duties Description The New York State Canal Corporation (Canals), a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority, is responsible for overseeing and maintaining the 524-mile waterway for boating, recreation, tourism and agriculture. The Canal system is made up of the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca canals, linking the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes and Lake Champlain. The 200-year-old NYS Canal System plays important roles in New York's economic development, tourism industry and environmental stewardship. The construction season can run year-round, depending on the type of projects requiring TCI support. These positions are designed to supplement current State construction staff and will assist in monitoring and inspecting construction projects to ensure that the work being performed in accordance with the contract language. To address the dynamic nature of the Canal System, typical projects include infrastructure repairs and replacements for structures including locks, movable dams, guard gates and weirs, dredging work, dam rehabilitations, earthen dam repairs, emergency response and repairs, and culvert repairs, as well as the construction and repair of the Erie Canalway Trail.
Under the supervision of the Canal Project Engineer, a Transportation Construction Inspector will be assigned to one or more construction projects to perform the following construction and/or material inspection and inspection-related tasks:
Inspects contractor's operations of building earth or rock embankments that serve as foundations for pavement, placement of concrete for pavements and for bridge piers and abutments, erecting of steel to ensure correct placement, installation of culverts, sewers and ditches, and placement of asphalt. Calculates actual construction project length, areas and volumes to verify correct payment amounts to the contractor; performs technical checking activities against the agreed-upon contract; performs other technical and engineering-related functions as required. Performs design, verification, or acceptance testing of construction materials.
Miscellaneous Inspection Assignments
Construction inspection assignments may also include: inspection of curbing, sidewalk, signs, guide railing, pavement markings, landscape items, water, sanitary, traffic signals, maintenance and protection of traffic, highway lighting, fencing, crack sealing, joint filling, and projects associated with the maintenance and rehabilitation of various components and structures that comprise the Canal system.
Minimum Qualifications Transportation Construction Inspector 1:
Non-Competitive
• One construction season (minimum of 3 months) of work experience in highway, bridge or other civil engineering related construction inspection, as described in the Transportation Construction Inspector Tasks and Duties; OR,
• Completion of at least one semester (minimum of 12 semester credit hours) of college course work as part of an associate degree program in engineering, engineering technology, construction technology, engineering science, surveying technology, drafting/CAD, or heavy equipment operations; OR,
• Completion of at least one semester (minimum of 12 semester credit hours) of college course work as part of a bachelor degree program in engineering, engineering technology, environmental sciences or environmental technology, construction management, construction supervision, engineering management, construction engineering or construction engineering technology, transportation planning, mathematics, physical science, architecture or architectural technology, construction technology, landscape architecture, surveying, physics, geology or forestry.
Transportation Construction Inspector 2
Non-Competitive
• Two separate construction seasons (minimum 6 months total) of work experience in highway, bridge or other civil engineering related construction inspection, as described in the Transportation Construction Inspector Tasks and Duties; OR,
• Completion of an associate degree program in engineering, engineering technology, construction technology, engineering science, surveying technology, drafting/CAD, or heavy equipment operations; OR,
• Completion of at least 2 years (minimum of 54 semester credit hours) of college course work as part of a bachelor degree program in engineering, engineering technology, environmental sciences or environmental technology, construction management, construction supervision, engineering management, construction engineering or construction engineering technology, transportation planning, mathematics, physical science, architecture or architectural technology, construction technology, landscape architecture, surveying, physics, geology or forestry; OR,
• Completion of one construction season of work experience, as described in TCI 1 above, plus a minimum of 27 semester credit hours of college course work as part of an associate's or bachelor's degree program in engineering, engineering technology, construction technology, engineering science, surveying technology, drafting/CAD, or heavy equipment operations.
Transportation Construction Inspector 3
Non-Competitive
• Advancement to TCI 3 after having six (6) months of satisfactory experience as a TCI 2; OR,
• Completion of 3 months as a TCI 2 and completion of at least 81 credit hours of college course work as part of a Bachelor's Degree program in in engineering, engineering technology, environmental sciences or environmental technology, construction management, construction supervision, engineering management, construction engineering or construction engineering technology, transportation planning, mathematics, physical science, architecture or architectural technology, construction technology, landscape architecture, surveying, physics, geology or forestry; OR,
• Three separate construction seasons (minimum 9 months total) of work experience in highway, bridge or other civil engineering related construction inspection, as described in the Transportation Construction Inspector Tasks and Duties.
NOTE: Degrees and/or college credit must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college or university or one recognized by the NYS Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. If the degree and/or college credit was awarded by an educational institution outside of the United States and its territories, an independent verification of equivalency must be provided. The Examinations Information Desk of the Department of Civil Service maintains a list of acceptable companies which provide this service. Any evaluation fees must be paid by the candidate and will not be reimbursed by the Canal Corporation or New York Power Authority. A list of acceptable companies can also be found at https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm.
Additional Comments The Eastern Division of Waterways Maintenance & Operations is seeking to fill one position of Transportation Construction Inspector (TCI) in the Rome Satellite Office in anticipation of the summer navigational season.
These positions are seasonal in nature (maximum term = approx. 8 months) and the new hourly rates, as of April 1, 2026, are as follows:
TCI 1 - $21.22/hr.
TCI 2 - $23.34/hr.
TCI 3 - $25.46/hr.
The New York State Canal Corporation (Canals), a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority, is responsible for overseeing and maintaining the 524-mile waterway for boating, recreation, tourism and agriculture. The Canal system is made up of the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca canals, linking the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes and Lake Champlain. The 200-year-old NYS Canal System plays an important role in New York's economic development, tourism industry and environmental stewardship.
For more information on The New York State Canal Corporation's mission, values and opportunities, please visit https://www.canals.ny.gov/
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name recruitment@canals.ny.gov
Telephone 518-449-6003
Fax
Email Address recruitment@canals.ny.gov
Address
Street 30 S. Pearl Street
City Albany
State NY
Zip Code 12207
Notes on Applying ***Please note E-Mail submissions are preferred***
To be considered for these positions please send a Cover Letter, Resume and a copy of any Transcripts to the contact information below and reference, "Transportation Construction Inspector - Waterways Maintenance & Ops (East - Rome) (2026)" in the subject line of your e-mail.
CONTACT:
recruitment@canals.ny.gov
phone: 518.449.6003
The New York Power Authority/New York State Canal Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer.
The New York Power Authority and Canal Corporation believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents and veterans to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, NYPA/Canals is committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect communities across New York and enthusiastically serve them. We proudly celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race/color, creed/religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, disability, military status, gender/sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy and related conditions, familial/marital status, domestic violence victim status, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest/criminal conviction record or any other category protected by law.
NYPA/Canals will also provide reasonable accommodations during the hiring process related to candidates' disabilities, pregnancy-related conditions, religious observances/practices and/or domestic violence concerns. To request an accommodation, please email accessibility@nypa.gov.