Scientist Water Ecologist

DEPT OF ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION; Town of Mount Pleasant (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

NYC Department of Environmental Protection is seeking a Scientist (Water Ecology) III to monitor water quality in the City’s water supply system from Valhalla, NY. You will operate monitoring stations, manage biomonitoring, and ensure QA/QC across data collection and reporting processes.

The role involves field sampling, instrument maintenance, procurement coordination, and potential shift work including nights and weekends to support water emergencies and compliance investigations.

Qualifications

• Master's or Bachelor’s with specified credits and experience as described in the minimum qualifications.
• Experience in water quality planning, management, or research, and field sampling preferred.
• Ability to operate and maintain water quality instrumentation and perform QA/QC.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor a network of water quality stations in the watershed.
• Oversee biomonitoring program and quality assurance procedures.
• Maintain records, prepare reports, and assist in data entry and analysis.
• Respond to water quality emergencies and instrument alarms after hours.

Skills

Driver license

Willingness to travel

MS Office proficiency

Environmental instrumentation

Quality assurance

Data collection

Lab fieldwork

Education

Master's degree in environmental science/engineering/limnology

Bachelor's degree with 24 credits in relevant areas and 1+ year field experience

Associate degree with 24 credits and 3+ years field experience

Tools

Laboratory instrumentation

Data management software

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) III for a position within the Water Quality, Drinking Water Operations Directorate, for a position located in Valhalla, New York. 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 function of this position is monitoring water quality in the City’s water supply system. Major responsibilities are to operate a network of monitoring stations in the watershed and to ensure water quality instrumentation operates continuously, with accuracy and precision, following a quality assurance program for preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance, system updates, record keeping, and data management. A major responsibility for this position will be to oversee operation of the group’s biomonitoring program. Additionally, the candidate will be responsible for purchasing and maintenance of supplies and equipment, maintaining and preparing field data and records, perform Quality assurance, Quality control (QAQC) tests and assist others in same, and contribute to the production of operational, compliance and special investigation reports. Under the Section Chief, with wide latitude for independent initiative and judgment. Candidate may be required to train personnel to analyze water quality samples and to operate instrumentation. Specific duties include:

• Service, calibrates, and maintains laboratory instrumentation, field instrumentation, biomonitoring systems, and telemetry.
• Performs sample collection and field analyses in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures SOP’s
• Installs and upgrades monitoring equipment, instrumentation, and biomonitoring systems at water supply facilities.
• Diagnose and repair monitoring station equipment, instrumentation, and associated telemetry systems.
• Coordinates the group’s procurement activities.
• Oversees quality control procedures, maintains accurate records, and reports on QC data.
• Responds to Water Quality Emergencies. Respond to water quality alarms, special investigations, etc., outside of normal working hours to collect water samples, troubleshoot instrumentation, and assist in field investigations.
• Adhere to Agency & Bureau Policies and Procedures.
• Conduct water quality sampling and electronic data collections using a variety of techniques to sample flowing water, reservoirs, and reservoir entry and exit points throughout the watershed.
• Modify upgrade water quality monitoring instrumentation, equipment to optimize ongoing needs and goals.
• Promptly performs data logger downloads on schedule and/or as needed.
• Routinely and systematically records and archives data records in paper and electronic format.
• Adhere to the Data Integrity Policy and Procedures Manual.
• Participate in meetings concerning analytical problems, quality assurance, methods development, efficiency goals, performance metrics and reporting, and other projects as assigned assisting in data entry, quality control, and statistical analysis.
• Perform various administrative functions such as procurement, equipment inventory, and report preparation to support program initiatives.

(This is a brief description of what you might do in this position and does not include all the duties of this position.)

Preferred Skills

• A Motor Vehicle Driver License valid in the State of New York. This license must be maintained for the duration of employment.
• Ability to travel to meetings, work facilities, and field locations, utilizing a New York City vehicle
• MS Office software including Outlook, Explorer, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
• Environmental testing methods for water quality, sampling equipment, and sensors.
• Mathematics for instrument calibration, quality control statistics, and conversion calculations.
• Principles underlying the theory and use of scientific instruments, chemistry and physics.
• Experience using basic hand and power tools.
• Methods, practices, and equipment used in maintaining, repairing, testing, and adjusting water quality instrumentation and appurtenances.
• Principles of preventative maintenance and documentation.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of water quality instrumentation and sample analysis.
• Knowledge of continuous monitoring, water quality instrumentation.
• Familiar with field sampling and data collection techniques.
• Establish mechanical aptitude and intuition.
• Effective time management to prioritize and complete tasks.
• Committed to honesty, integrity, and transparency in all work areas
• Ability to think logically, focus on objectives, and prioritize multiple goals.
• Read and follow standard operating procedures.
• Work with hand tools and test instruments.
• Work while standing on a ladder.
• Work outside under all weather conditions.
• Distinguish colors used in electric wiring color-coding.
• Anticipate material and equipment needs.
• Establish and maintain effective cooperative relationships in the workplace

Physical Activities

1. Must be able to drive for long periods, at night and/or during inclement weather.
2. Must be able to enter and safely work in field and laboratory settings, including:
   a. Confined spaces
   b. Underground chambers and vaults
   c. Work while standing on a ladder.
   d. Stand on a platform elevated over twenty (20) feet above ground.
   e. Work outside under all weather conditions.
   f. Work in heavy traffic.
   g. Ascend and descend steep stairs and ships ladders
   h. Industrial facilities require specific personal protective equipment: steel-toe boots, safety vests, safety glasses, protective gloves, safety vest, hardhat, andor lab coat.
3. Must be able to lift fifty (50) pounds of objects and transport them to vehicles and or field locations.

Hours/Shift

35 Hours per week.

Special Working Conditions

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

Work Location

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

10 Walker Road,

Valhalla NY 10595

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

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

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.