Research Scientist 4 (Water Pollution)

Environmental Conservation, Department of; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation seeks a Research Scientist 4 (Water Pollution) to lead the Research and Data Analytics Section within the Division of Environmental Remediation. You will supervise research staff on large-scale cleanup projects across sites like the Hudson River, Onondaga Lake, and PFAS sites, and guide data-driven decisions.

Responsibilities include managing the Environmental Information Management System (EIMS), directing a multi-institutional research

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and five years of professional research experience in water pollution or related field.
• Experience directing and supervising research teams on water pollution or remediation projects.
• Experience evaluating sediment, soil, surface water, and groundwater data with PFAS expertise.
• Experience designing data-acquisition strategies and applying advanced statistics to analyze complex environmental datasets.
• Valid driver's license and ability to work in remote areas and adverse conditions.
• HazWoper 40-hour training and annual safety certification required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Research and Data Analytics Section within the Division of Environmental Remediation.
• Oversee the Environmental Information Management System (EIMS).
• Direct the department's research agenda with universities and research institutions.
• Conduct advanced statistical analyses of sediment and groundwater data.
• Serve as DEI coordinator for environmental justice communities.
• Manage large-scale water pollution cleanup projects (e.g., Hudson River, Onondaga Lake, PFAS sites).

Skills

Team supervision

Statistical analysis

PFAS data evaluation

Environmental data management

Field work readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science or related field

Five years of professional research experience

Job description

The Research Scientist 4 (Water Pollution) position leads the Research and Data Analytics Section within the Division of Environmental Remediation at the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. This role supervises research professionals on large-scale water pollution cleanup projects including the Hudson River, Onondaga Lake, and PFAS contamination sites, oversees the Environmental Information Management System (EIMS), and directs the department's research agenda with universities and research institutions. The position requires managing complex environmental datasets, conducting advanced statistical analyses of sediment and groundwater quality, and serving as a DEI coordinator for environmental justice communities.

Key qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and five years of professional research experience in water pollution, environmental science, chemistry, or related field
• Experience directing and supervising research teams on water pollution or environmental remediation projects
• Experience evaluating sediment, soil, surface water, and groundwater quality data with expertise in emerging contaminants such as PFAS
• Experience designing data-acquisition strategies and applying advanced statistical methodologies to analyze complex environmental datasets
• Valid driver's license and ability to work in remote areas, adverse weather, and difficult terrain
• Completion of 40-hour OSHA 1910.120 HAZWOPER training and annual health and safety certification