Scientist (Water Ecology), Bureau of Environmental Sciences and Engineering

DEPT OF HEALTH/MENTAL HYGIENE; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Loan forgiveness programs

Job summary

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) seeks a Scientist (Water Ecology) Level I to perform regulatory inspections of building water systems across five boroughs, educate owners, and help mitigate health risks from Legionella outbreaks.

Under supervision, you will inspect, collect samples, analyze data, prepare reports, and support regulatory compliance efforts with cross-functional teams and leadership.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in environmental or chemical engineering, limnology, environmental science, marine science, geology, biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, or health science.
• Bachelor's degree with 24 credits in related fields and at least 1 year of full-time experience in water quality planning/management.
• Associate degree with 24 credits in related fields and at least 3 years of experience in water quality planning/management.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field inspections across NYC boroughs on water systems.
• Review water management plans and collect water samples for analysis.
• Prepare inspection reports and follow up on compliance inspections.
• Assist with customer service to regulated community including building owners and facility staff.
• Recommend improvements to regulatory compliance and corrective actions.
• Review findings for hearings and prepare evidence for adjudication.
• Assist with rapid response to Legionnaires' disease signals.
• Prepare water samples for lab analysis with required paperwork.
• Identify risks of Legionella exposure through field surveys.
• Review schematics for cooling towers and water systems.

Skills

Field inspections

Water quality analysis

PPE & safety training

Interpersonal skills

Data entry

Microsoft Office

Education

Master's degree in environmental/chemical engineering or related

Bachelor's with 24 credits in related fields

Associate degree with 24 credits and 3 years experience

Job description

Open to candidates who are permanent or to those who have successfully filed for SCIENTIST (WATER ECOLOGY) Exam No. 7065, within the filing period From: September 2, 2026 To: September 22, 2026.

The Office of Building Water System Oversight (BWSO) within the Bureau of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (ESE) is responsible for conducting inspections to ensure compliance with various rules and regulations aimed at improving the operating conditions of various engineered systems such as cooling towers, water tanks, evaporative condensers, internal plumbing, and wastewater systems in order to prevent risks associated with these systems.

The Scientist (Water Ecology) Level I position is part of a community inspection team that works together with data and compliance analysts, research scientists, operations and logistics staff, and leadership and administration. Under supervision, Scientist (Water Ecology) Level I perform regulatory inspections to ensure compliance with NYC regulations; educate building owners and managers in best practices for managing water tanks, cooling towers, evaporative condensers, internal plumbing, and waste water systems; implement and evaluate regulatory strategies to identify and mitigate risk; and, conduct environmental investigations and mitigation efforts in response to Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO

• Under supervision, conduct field inspections that include travel through the five boroughs to various building types for building water supply and distribution systems such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, building plumbing, and wastewater systems.
• Under supervision, field inspections will include review of water management plans, equipment operation records, physical inspection of mechanical and chemical treatment equipment, water sample collection and water quality analysis.
• Under supervision, generate and submit field inspection reports according to the Bureau’s inspection protocols and conduct follow up compliance inspections, as needed, to mitigate potential risks to the public.
• Under supervision, assist with customer service to our regulated community including building owners, facility maintenance personnel, superintendents, and any other responsible parties.
• Assist in providing recommendations to improve regulatory compliance and corrective actions to eliminate environmental health hazards promptly in accordance with the NYC and NYS regulations
• Review inspection findings and prepare necessary evidence used by the Department at the Office of Administrative Tribunal Hearings convened to adjudicate notice of violations and summonses.
• Assist with rapid response to signals triggered by the Department’s Legionnaires’ disease surveillance system and implement our response protocol.
• Prepare water samples for drop o f or shipping to analytical laboratories including completion of all necessary laboratory forms and documents.
• Conduct field surveys associated with identifying potential risks for Legionella exposure.
• Review process schematics, engineering plans, drawings and specifications for cooling tower systems and building water supply and distribution systems.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Academic background in environmental or chemical engineering, limnology, environmental science, marine science, geology, biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, or health science.
• Prefer to work in the field including travel throughout the five boroughs.
• Must be able to climb ladders and work in tight spaces, work in high altitudes (building roofs) to perform field inspections and water testing.
• Knowledge or study in hazard mitigation, risk assessment, environmental investigations, or public health.
• Pass medical clearance and FIT testing for wearing proper PPE respirators. Must complete and pass Agency required trainings and be in compliance with the position related certificates and licenses.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to perform data entry and navigate inspection programs on a portable device (iPhone or Tablet).
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Access)

Why you should work for us:

• Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/)
• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
  • a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
  • additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
  • a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
  • a tax-deferred savings program and
  • a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
• Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

Commitment to Equity

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.

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at [e-mail] or 347-396-6549.

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

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 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.