Field Specialist

DEPT OF ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) seeks a Scientist (Water Ecology) II for its Hawthorne Laboratory to support Watershed Water Quality Operations and field sampling. The role involves data collection, field activities coordination, and operating sampling equipment, including boats, as described in SOPs.

Minimum qualifications include a Master’s degree in environmental science or related field and relevant experience in water quality.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in environmental science or related field.
• Experience in water quality planning, management or research or field sampling.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Perform sampling and field analyses, including boat-based work.
• Record field observations and report unusual conditions to supervisors.
• Operate and maintain field sampling equipment and small watercraft.
• Execute QC procedures per ELAP and maintain QC data records.
• Comply with EH&S laws and DEP policies.

Skills

Field sampling

Data management

Microsoft Office

LIMS/WISKI

Boat operation

Communication skills

Driver's license

Education

Master's degree in environmental science/related field

Bachelor's degree with 24 credits in related areas +1 year field exp

Tools

Field sampling equipment

Laboratory equipment handling

Data management tools

Job description

As per civil service Rule 3.2.11 candidates must live outside the five (5) boroughs or be permanent in the civil service title listed in order to be considered for appointment

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 Scientist (Water Ecology) II for a position in the Drinking Water Operations Directorate, Water Quality Division at Hawthorne Laboratory, in Hawthorne, New York. Under general supervision, of the Field Supervisor, the selected candidate will participate in field sample and data collection and assist in coordinating field activities as described in Divisional Standard Operating Procedures. As such, the Scientist Water Ecology (SWE) will use established sampling protocols for the proper collection, transportation and relinquishment of samples collected from streams, reservoirs, wastewater treatment plants and key-points. Some sample collection will require trailering and piloting small watercraft. They may also assist in the purchasing and maintenance of supplies and equipment, maintain and prepare field data and records and contribute to the production of operational, compliance and special investigation reports.

Specific duties include:

• Performing sample collection and field analyses, from a boat as required, within Watershed Water Quality Operations (WWQO) in accordance with approved Standard Operating Procedures
• Records field observations and reports back to supervisory staff with any unusual conditions discovered in the field
• Operating and maintaining field sampling equipment, which includes the ability to trailer and pilot small watercraft
• Performing applicable quality control procedures according to Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP) protocols and maintaining accurate records of Quality Control (QC) data.
• Complying with applicable environmental health & safety (EH&S) laws and regulations, and DEP’s policies and procedures.

License Requirement

At the time of appointment, candidates must possess a Motor Vehicle Driver License valid in the State of New York. Employees must maintain this license for the duration of employment.

(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 Scientists (Water Ecology) and environmental conditions experienced are: lift and carry packages weighing approximately 20 pounds for a distance of 30 feet, perform duties in confined work areas, wear protective garments such as gloves, lab coats, goggles, and life vests, handle and manipulate laboratory equipment and instruments and tools such as glass test tubes, slides, beakers and other glassware, scalpels, scissors, etc., adjust settings on machines, which requires fine finger and hand coordination and control, and collect samples at sites in all weather conditions.

Special Working Conditions

Scientists (Water Ecology) may be required to work shifts including nights, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and SharePoint
• Ability to train on database systems such as the Agency’s Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and Water Information Systems by Kisters (WISKI) data management systems
• A general knowledge of field sampling equipment and standard water quality sensors.
• Experience using basic hand tools.
• Must be able to drive F150 trucks (and larger) that tow boats or other gear
• Boater safety course experience
• Familiarity with piloting, trailering, launching and retrieving small, motorized watercraft
• Experience with remote robotic monitoring systems
• Familiarity with field sampling and data collection techniques
• Ability to operate computers and several different software packages for data collection and management
• Ability to think logically, focus on objectives, and prioritize multiple goals
• Ability to be trained to use environmental monitoring equipment such as YSI sondes and dataloggers
• Ability to work weekends
• Ability to work in all weather conditions
• Ability to spend a substantial portion of field days outdoors in any weather or time of year
• Ability to lift heavy loads up to 50 pounds and jump in and out of boats
• Ability to wade through streams, hiking in the woods and climb over rocks to collect samples
• Ability to work at a computer for a substantial portion of an office day
• Commitment to honesty, data integrity, and support to others
• Strong communication skills (written and oral)
• Time management skills
• Driver’s license valid in the State of New York

Hours/Shift

35 hours per week / May be required to work shifts including nights, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Work Location

15 Skyline Drive

Hawthorne, NY 10532

Hawthorne is a hamlet in the Town of Mount Pleasant, Westchester County, New York approximately 30 miles north of New York City.

SCIENTIST (WATER ECOLOGY) - 21538

Minimum Qualifications

1. A masters degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following areas of study: environmental or chemical engineering, limnology, environmental science, marine science, geology, biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, or health science; or

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with 24 semester credits in one or a combination of the areas of study described in ""1"" above, at least 12 of which must have been in one of these areas of study; and at least one year of satisfactory full time experience, which may not have been part of graduate or undergraduate course work, working in the field of water quality planning, management or research or performing environmental laboratory analyses, and/or environmental field sampling of water; or

3. An associate degree from an accredited college or university including or supplemented by 24 semester credits in one or a combination of the areas of study described in "1" above, at least 12 of which must have been in one of these areas of study; and at least three years of satisfactory full time experience as described in "2" above.

Additional Requirements

To be assigned to Assignment Levels II or III, all candidates must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university as described in "2" above and must have one additional year of the experience described in "2" above for a total of two years of experience.

Special Note

A master's degree from an accredited college in one of the areas described in "1" above may be substituted for up to two years of the required experience.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

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 not required for this position.As per civil service Rule 3.2.11 candidates must live outside the five (5) boroughs or be permanent in the civil service title listed in order to be considered for appointment

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.