Scientist (Water Ecology)
About the role
Candidate(s) selected for the Scientist (Water Ecology) position through this posting will be hired on a provisional basis. To be considered for permanent employment in this role, provisional employees will need to take and pass the next civil service examination for Scientist (Water Ecology) and obtain a list number issued by the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services. Employees who do not take and pass the exam may not be able to continue in the provisional position.
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 Wastewater Treatment (BWT) is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all facilities related to the treatment of sewage within the five boroughs of the City. This includes 14 wastewater treatment plants, sludge dewatering facilities, collections facilities (pumping stations, combined sewer overflow retention facilities, regulators, tide gates, etc.), wastewater laboratories and harbor vessels.
Responsibilities
Under supervision, with some latitude for the exercise of independent initiative and judgment, the selected candidate will be responsible for:
- Participating in year-round sampling in all weather conditions during Harbor Survey Cruises and field surveys for the Remote Monitoring Program
- Assisting in the production of annual reports and assisting with the development and review of additional sampling programs
- On-board processing of samples following strict SOPs
- Assisting in the calibration and repair of instruments
- Scheduling and performing routine maintenance on instruments and stations
- Assisting the field supervisor with placement of monitoring locations
- Preparing graphics, maps, and/or text for Annual report
- Performing data analysis as requested
- Proofreading and performing QA/QC for report production
- Developing new sampling initiatives as required
- Assisting with memos/reports and other documents related to additional sampling
- Lifting and carrying coolers weighing up to 50 pounds
Requirements
A master’s 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
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with 24 semester credits in one or a combination of the areas of study 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 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 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.