Field Scientist

About the Role

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the largest combined municipal water and wastewater utility in the country, serving 1.1 billion gallons of high quality drinking water daily to New Yorkers. The Bureau of Water Supply seeks a Scientist (Water Ecology) II within the Water Quality, Drinking Water Operations Directorate, located in Grahamsville, New York. Under the supervision of the Field Supervisor, this position is responsible for field sampling and data collection and will assist in coordinating field activities as described in the Divisional Standard Operating Procedures. The Scientist will use established sampling protocols for the proper collection, transportation and relinquishment of samples collected from streams, reservoirs, wastewater treatment plants and key-points. Some sample collections will require trailering and piloting small watercraft.

Responsibilities

• Performing sample collections and field analyses from a boat as required
• Operating F150 trucks (and larger) to tow boats or other gear
• Compiling, reviewing and reporting water quality and associated data in accordance with divisional procedures by specified deadlines
• Operating and maintaining field sampling equipment, which includes the ability to trailer and pilot small watercraft
• Performing quality control procedures according to the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program protocols and maintaining an accurate log of records of Quality Control data
• Assisting in the purchasing and maintenance of supplies and equipment
• Contributing to the production of operational, compliance and special investigation reports
• Complying with applicable environmental, health & safety laws and regulations and DEP's Environmental Health & Safety policies

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• A master's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental or chemical engineering, limnology, environmental science, marine science, geology, biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, or health science; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with 24 semester credits in one or a combination of the areas of study described 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
• 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 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 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 above and must have one additional year of the experience described 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 above may be substituted for up to two years of the required experience.

License Requirements

• Motor Vehicle Driver's License valid in the State of New York (must be maintained for the duration of employment)

Preferred Skills

• General familiarity with MS Office suites and MS Outlook
• Ability to utilize desktop computers as well as handheld computers in the field for data collection
• Ability to spend a substantial portion of field days outdoors in any weather or season
• Ability to lift heavy loads up to 50 pounds and climb in and out of boats
• Ability to wade through streams, hiking in the woods and scaling over rocks to collect samples
• Ability to work at a computer for a substantial portion of an office day
• Experience with basic hand tools
• Familiarity with field sampling and data collection techniques
• Familiarity with use of small, motorized watercraft including trailering, launching and recovery
• Good communication skills (written and oral)
• Good time management skills

Physical Activities and Working Conditions

• Lift and carry packages weighing approximately 20 pounds for a distance of 30 feet
• Perform duties in confined work areas
• Wear protective garments such as gloves, lab coats, goggles, and life vests
• Handle and manipulate laboratory equipment and instruments/tools such as glass test tubes, slides, beakers and other glassware, scalpels, scissors, etc.
• Adjust settings on machines, which requires fine finger and hand coordination and control
• Collect samples at sites in all weather conditions
• May be required to work shifts including nights, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays

Schedule

• 35 hours per week
• May be required to work weekends and holidays

Work Location

Grahamsville Facility
7870 State Road 42
Grahamsville, NY 12740