The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) enriches the environment and protects public health for all New Yorkers by providing 1.1 billion gallons of high quality drinking water, managing wastewater and stormwater, and reducing air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution. DEP is the largest combined municipal water and wastewater utility in the country, with nearly 6,000 employees. DEP's water supply system is comprised of 19 reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes throughout the system’s 2,000 square mile watershed that extends 125 miles north and west of the city.
The Bureau of Water Supply seeks to hire a City Research Scientist II for a position in the Drinking Water Quality (DWQ) Early Warning Remote Monitoring (EWRM) section, Drinking Water Operations (DWO) Directorate located in Queens, New York. The DWQ EWRM section is responsible for monitoring and ensuring that online data and communications from entry to distribution system locations, and other key locations from within the NYC distribution system, are functioning and within specifications.
Under direction of the Deputy Chief of Field Operations, the City Research Scientist II will be responsible for planning and directing the technical and administrative operations of the unit. Specific duties include:
- Drafting, reviewing, updating, implementing, and enforcing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Ensures field data cards, and computer records supported by assigned staff hold all required and relevant data (including quality control) and evaluates accuracy and appropriateness.
- Evaluate and recommend new online water quality instrumentation, assisting with and coordinating meter troubleshooting and data transmission issues, and sample pump issues or replacement with other DEP divisions.
- Aid in coordinating the daily technical and operation of the DWQ EWRM unit including emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Responds to Bureau/Agency or contractors activities on matters such as reservoir maintenance, shutdowns, and treatment changes that may affect EWRM’s online instrumentation.
- Act as a liaison with BWS Management Services and Budget on operational issues such as vehicle, facilities and procurement.
- Assist the Deputy Chief of Field Operations in administrative matters of the EWRM Section.
- Assists the Deputy Chief and Assistant Supervisor in developing work schedules to ensure 365 days per year coverage for the DWQ EWRM staff and coordinating schedules with DWQ Field supervisors to ensure support for all DWQ Field programs.
(This is a brief description of what you might do in this position and does not include all the duties of this position.)
Some of the physical activities performed by the City Research Scientist II and the environmental conditions experienced are: working outside in all weather conditions, traversing shaft ladders and walkways; maintaining and wearing required PPE; able to occupy underground utility structures or enclosed spaces for extended duration; handling and operating field and office equipment such as spectrophotometers and pH meters, which require chemicals, acidifying or filtering samples, etc.; operating a motor vehicle in all weather conditions and terrain; and move and transport online water quality equipment and coolers filled with sample bottles.
Additional Information: The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744
Minimum Qualifications
1. For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.
To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have:
1. A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year of full-time experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or
2. A master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least a master's degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in "2" above. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can be substituted for the experience required in "1" and "2" above.
NOTE:
Probationary Period
Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.
Preferred Skills
- Understanding of accredited drinking water testing methods as well as thorough knowledge of applicable Federal and State drinking water regulations - Familiarity of WISKI, Adobe, Starlims, ISCO autosampler program, as well LIMS - Strong organizational, technical, writing and communication skills - Knowledge of DWQ data compilation protocols, including use of programs such as ITScriptNet, Geographic GIS, Water Information Systems by KISTERS (WISKI) and SharePoint tracking sheets. - Experience with installing, evaluating, and maintaining online water quality instrumentation. - Familiarity with personal data capture devices and Campbell Scientific data logger programs - Microsoft Office suite software including Excel, Word, Access, and Power Point
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at
https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.
Residency Requirement
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.
Additional Information
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.