Research Scientist 1 (Water Pollution)

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation; City of Albany (NY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday & Paid Time Off

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Pension from NYS Employees’ Retirement

Shift & Geographic pay differentials

Affordable Health Care options

Family dental and vision benefits

NYS Deferred Compensation plan

529/ABLE College Savings & U.S. Bonds

Job summary

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking a Research Scientist 1 in the Monitoring and Assessment Section (MAS) of BWAM. You will support monitoring, assessment, and research on NYS streams, lakes, and groundwater, developing tools and data products to aid permits and management decisions.

You will coordinate with DOW, contribute to water quality standards, and present findings to peers and the public. Some telecommuting is possible, with travel and field duties as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in environmental sciences or related field and two years of professional research experience.
• Master’s Degree may substitute one year of experience; Doctorate may substitute for an additional year.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Support MAS programs and applied research to develop water quality monitoring tools and analyze data.
• Coordinate with staff to identify monitoring and research needs to support permitting.
• Present findings at conferences and to the public; aid in developing data products for permit writers.
• Prepare ambient monitoring reports and maintain QA documents; supervise interns.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Oral communication

Public speaking

Attention to detail

Data analysis

R (statistical computing)

GIS

SQL

Git

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in environmental sciences or related field

Master’s Degree may substitute one year of experience

Doctorate may substitute for an additional year

Tools

R

GIS

SQL

Git

Job description

Duties Description

Program Overview The Monitoring and Assessment Section (MAS) of the Bureau of Water Assessment and Management (BWAM) is responsible for monitoring, assessing, and researching streams, lakes, and groundwater of New York State. MAS implements target, probability, and trend sampling design strategies for monitoring the chemical, physical, and biological integrity and conducts applied research to advance understanding and protection of New York State (NYS) waters.

Description

Duties Description

Program Overview The Monitoring and Assessment Section (MAS) of the Bureau of Water Assessment and Management (BWAM) is responsible for monitoring, assessing, and researching streams, lakes, and groundwater of New York State. MAS implements target, probability, and trend sampling design strategies for monitoring the chemical, physical, and biological integrity and conducts applied research to advance understanding and protection of New York State (NYS) waters.

Duties/Responsibilities

Under the general guidance of supervisors, the Research Scientist 1 will support MAS programs and applied research efforts to develop water quality monitoring and assessment tools and the collection, analysis, and interpretation of water quality data from streams, lakes, and groundwater-wells across NYS. The candidate will be responsible for coordinating with staff in DOW to identify monitoring and research needs to support permitting. The candidate is expected to conduct and assist with research, provide expert advice on monitoring design, and aid in the development of data products that support permit writers. The candidate will also work with NYS watershed programs to ensure research and monitoring efforts are coordinated within the Division of Water.

Under the technical and administrative supervision of the supervisor, the successful candidate will be responsible for:

Applied Research and Data Analysis (50%)

• Conduct research, data analysis and interpretation with emphasis on supporting Division applied research priorities related to 1) total dissolved solids and 2) benthic macroinvertebrates.
• In collaboration with the Bureau of Water Permits and Bureau of Water Resource Management, develop special studies and provide ambient water quality data outputs, to improve efficiency and inform management decisions.
• Under the guidance of supervisors, conducting research, literature review, data collection and analysis, and interpretation of water quality data across New York State to evaluate overall ecosystem condition.
• Assist with study design and research to develop tools for physical, chemical, and biological assessment in streams and rivers, assist in developing water quality standards and guidance values, understand emerging threats to water quality such as emerging contaminants and harmful algal blooms.
• With other scientists, developing peer-reviewed literature or other means of publication by summarizing findings from the MAS programs, special studies, and existing data sources.
• Present findings at professional conferences and to peers, supervisors, higher level staff, and to the public.

Program Coordination and Support (50%)

• Under the guidance of supervisors, assisting in the development and maintenance of summary reports to aid in communicating information internally and to the public.
• Create, maintain, and update quality assurance documents related to water quality monitoring,assessment, and data management.
• Preparing and sampling as part of the ambient monitoring programs including collecting water quality samples from streams and rivers, biological monitoring, and recording observational environmental data.
• Oversight and supervision of interns.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates for this position must have a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental sciences, environmental policy, environmental management, environmental biology, biology, environmental chemistry, limnology, or a related natural resources field, and two years of professional research experience in the appropriate field;

Substitutions: A Master’s Degree in environmental sciences, environmental policy, environmental management, environmental biology, biology, environmental chemistry, limnology, or a related natural resources field may substitute one year of experience; OR a Doctorate in environmental sciences, environmental policy, environmental management, environmental biology, biology, environmental chemistry, limnology, or a related natural resources field may substitute for an additional year.

Preferred Additional Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills; comfortable with public speaking.
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail.
• Experience with study design, collecting, analyzing, and interpreting chemical, physical, and biological environmental data.
• Understanding of State and Federal regulations and water quality standards.
• Knowledge and understanding of groundwater/surface water interaction.
• Knowledge of environmental contaminants, including but not limited to emerging contaminants and HABs, and their behavior in the environment.
• Experience developing instruction manuals, standard operating procedures, and quality assurance plans.
• Experience with data analysis (R – statistical computing environment), GIS, SQL, Git.
• Experience operating and trailering watercraft.

Additional Comments

Must have a valid driver’s license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.

Must be able to negotiate difficult terrain.

Must be able to work in remote areas.

Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions.

Travel may be required.

Overnight travel may be required.

Must be able to lift and move objects up to 30 pounds.

Telecommuting may be available up to 50% of work schedule, will be discussed at interview.

We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Shift & Geographic pay differentials
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
• And many more...

For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. DEC is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. DEC embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.

If you are a person with a disability and wish to request that a reasonable accommodation be provided for you to participate in a job interview, please email: [e-mail].

Please be advised, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation does not use E-Verify, and we are unable to provide sponsorship for employment visa statuses (i.e. H-1B, Self-Sponsorship, STEM OPT).