Staff Scientist 2

Philadelphia PA; Philadelphia, Northern (Philadelphia County, KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Philadelphia – Water Department is seeking a senior staff environmental scientist or analytical chemist to serve as the expert in a designated discipline. The role involves planning, developing, maintaining and evaluating programs, and representing the department at local, regional and national levels.

The incumbent will provide technical guidance, supervise project staff on a consulting basis, develop new programs and policies, and assist in procuring grant funding.

Qualifications

• Five years of environmental science or analytical chemistry experience with leading research projects.
• Two years in supervisory or senior staff roles in analytical chemistry or environmental science.
• Advanced education may substitute for experience as allowed by policy.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, maintain and evaluate department programs in the environmental domain.
• Provide technical guidance and supervise project staff on a per-project basis.
• Pursue grant funding and coordinate with regulators and city officials.

Skills

Environmental science

Analytical chemistry

Project leadership

Grant writing

Education

Master's degree in Aquatic/ Biological/ Chemical/ Environmental/ Earth Sciences or related field

Job description

This is senior staff environmental science or analytical chemistry work in the Water Department serving as the primary environmental science or chemistry expert in a specified discipline for a departmental or division program. Employees in this class are located in the Planning and Environmental Services Division and are responsible for the planning, development, maintenance and evaluation of programs critical to the department’s goals and represent the department on a local, regional and national level. Employee in this class differs from the next lower level in that the employees serve as technical advisors to the Planning & Environmental Services Division, develop a basis for new and improved programs and policies, and are responsible for procuring grant funding. Employees provide technical guidance and supervise, on a project basis, the work of lower level scientists, engineers, planners and/or technical personnel in analyzing data, conducting research and solving environmental problems related to the mission of the department. Positions are also responsible for theoretical and experimental scientific and technological investigation directed toward the acquisition of new knowledge, developing theories and devising methods to apply scientific principles and theories in projects related to the mission of the department. Contact with other scientists, engineers, planners, city officials and regulatory agencies to coordinate and achieve assigned objectives is a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the direction of a program director or higher level engineer.

CONTACT INFORMATION

April Graham

City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources

1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530

Philadelphia, PA 19102-1675

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

For all other inquiries please contact Customer Service at 215-686-0880 or email [e-mail]

ELIGIBLE LIST: DEPARTMENTAL-ONLY PROMOTIONAL

Only a departmental promotional eligible list for the Water Departmentwill be established as a result of this examination.

Candidates who pass the exam and are placed on the civil service list will be retained on the list for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years after the establishment of the Eligible List.

PREFERENCE FOR PHILADELPHIA RESIDENTS

Candidates who have maintained a bona fide residence in Philadelphia for at least one year prior to the date of the civil service examination shall have priority over all other people receiving an identical test score.

To receive such preference, candidates must respond to the question regarding residence on this application. This response will be used to determine eligibility for preference for residents. Documentation of residence may be required if there is any question as to whether you meet the residency preference requirements.

If an applicant does not respond to the appropriate residence question, it will be assumed that the applicant does not qualify for residence preference. Eligibility for residence preference must be determined by the date of the test administration. No requests for residence preference will be granted after the test administration.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION

Applicants will be evaluated and scored based upon their training and experience credentials. Applicants will not be asked to appear to take a scheduled examination.

Scores in the Training and Experience Evaluation will be based on documentation of education and experience provided by the candidate. To receive full credit for your education and experience, you should submit all relevant documentation including college transcripts, licenses, certifications, paid out of class documentation, etc. and provide a detailed description of your education, experience, and credentials.

TEST REVIEW

In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 9.091D, candidates may review their answer sheets and other test papers to determine if they have been scored correctly or if there has been an irregularity in the administration of the examination. Candidates will have 30 days after the results have been mailed to review their test and to file a written appeal. Call 215 686-0880 if you wish to schedule a test review.

The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Candidates must meet requirements within 30 days after the last date for filing applications.

1. CIVIL SERVICE STATUS:

Presently employed by the City of Philadelphia with permanent Civil Service status in the Water Departmentwith a performance rating of Satisfactory or higher.

2. EDUCATION:

Completion of a Master's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major coursework in a qualifying field*.

* Qualifying scientific fields include

• Aquatic Sciences: Aquatic Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Aquatic Toxicology, Limnology, Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, Oceanography, Wetland Sciences, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
• Biological Sciences: Bacteriology, Biology, Biological Sciences, Ecology, Environmental Science, Microbiology, Molecular Biology
• Chemical and Materials Sciences: Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or Materials Engineering
• Earth Sciences: Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Geosciences, Geology, Geochemistry, Hydrology
• Environmental Policy and Environmental Resource Management: Environmental Management, Environmental Policy, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Natural Resource Management, Sustainable/Renewable Energy Management, Watershed Management, Wildlife Science, Forest Science
• Plant Sciences: Botany, Forestry, Plant Biology, Plant Taxonomy, Soil Sciences

3. GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

Five years of environmental science or analytical chemistry experience which has included two years of experience in science work equivalent to Environmental Scientist Specialist or Laboratory Program Scientist with responsibility for leading scientific research projects by determining the scope, direction, and timetables for project completion and coordinating work with other scientific and technical staff in the area of assignment.

4. SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

Two years of experience in one of the following areas:

• as an Analytical Chemist Supervisor supervising the work of subordinate chemists and technicians engaged in conducting a wide variety of chemical and physical analyses and research
• as an Environmental Scientist Supervisor supervising and directing a staff of lower level scientists, engineers and technical personnel in analyzing data and solving environmental problems
• as a Staff Scientist 1 serving as an expert in an environmental science or analytical chemistry discipline for a departmental or division program

OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources, which includes a bachelor’s degree as an educational minimum and the specific experience.

NOTE: Completion of a bachelor’s degree with major coursework in a qualifying field as described above and additional experience may substitute for the master’s degree on a year for year basis.

City of Philadelphia classes that typically meet the specific experience requirement:

Analytical Chemist Supervisor (3H30)

Environmental Scientist Supervisor (3H14)

Staff Scientist 1 (3H28) (Water Specialty only)

NOTE:Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific positions.

In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 - Selective Factor Certification –

The appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates with the specified education, training and/or experience to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such position will be made from the two highest ranking eligible candidates on the eligible list who possess the specified qualification.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment in this class, if required by work assignment.