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

Agency DEPT OF HEALTH/MENTAL HYGIENE; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Loan Forgiveness

Health insurance

Work From Home Policy

Job summary

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is seeking a Scientist (Water Ecology) to lead field inspections in all five boroughs and oversee water quality investigations. You will document findings, review plans, and educate building owners on best practices for cooling towers, internal plumbing, and wastewater systems.

The role requires performing environmental sampling, preparing detailed reports, and issuing notices when needed.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in one of the listed environmental/engineering disciplines or an allied field.
• Bachelor’s degree with 24 credits in related areas and one year field experience is acceptable.
• Associate degree with 24 related credits and two years of field experience may qualify.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations of building water supply and distribution systems including cooling towers and related components.
• Perform environmental sampling for water quality analysis and collect measurements.
• Review maintenance programs for cooling tower systems to ensure compliance.
• Issue Notices of Violation and assist in compliance actions.
• Prepare electronic inspection reports and other field documentation.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office

Education

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 relevant fields (≥12 in related area) and 1 year field experience

Associate degree with 24 credits in related fields and 2 years field experience

Job description

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.

Reporting directly to a Field Staff Supervisor on a team of inspectors, you will be tasked with leading a two person inspection team conducting cooling tower inspections in all five boroughs of New York City. You will be dealing directly with building operators and engineers to document inspection findings, provide guidance, and to issue summons when required.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

• Conduct investigations of building water supply and distribution systems including cooling towers, evaporative condensers, internal plumbing, and wastewater systems.
• Perform environmental sampling of building water supply and distribution systems for water quality analysis including collection of water quality measurements
• Review building maintenance programs and plans for cooling tower systems to ensure compliance.
• Conduct Compliance inspections to selected facilities to ensure corrective actions and documentation were done to mitigate potential risks to the public.
• Review building cooling tower systems operational records to ensure compliance.
• Prepare reports pertaining to the findings of the field investigation including the preparation of electronic inspection reports using software developed for BWSO to implement inspection protocols.
• Educate building owners and managers in best practices for managing cooling towers, evaporative condensers, internal plumbing, and wastewater systems.
• Counsel facility/premises/owner /operator regarding regulations and remedial measures when necessary.
• Issue Notice of Violations and Tribunal summons for non-compliance with NYC Health Code and NYS Sanitary Code.
• Participate in the development of standard operating procedures for the field and conduct field surveys associated with building water supply and distribution systems.
• Review plans, drawings, and specifications for building water supply and distribution systems.
• Provide recommendations and take corrective actions based on findings of the field investigation as needed or directed by supervisor.
• Assist the ESE in related Public Health Engineering tasks including water and sewage complaints, beach inspections and sampling and pool inspections and sampling as needed.

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 confined spaces, work in high altitudes (building roofs) in order to perform field inspections and water testing.
• 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
• 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 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 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.