Supervisor of Water Microbiology, Bureau of the Public Health Laboratory

About the role

The NYC Public Health Laboratory (PHL) seeks a qualified candidate to serve as a supervisor in the Environmental Sciences Section. This position will play an integral role in laboratory testing and responding to public health threats, including but not limited to COVID-19, vaccine preventable diseases, HIV, Legionella as well as respiratory, foodborne, and waterborne disease outbreaks. The supervisor will primarily work within the Water Microbiology Unit at PHL. The units utilize microbiological and molecular microbiological tools to detect and monitor pathogens in drinking and recreational water, and non-potable water systems such as cooling towers. This includes NYC's beach monitoring and Legionella response programs.

Responsibilities

• Supervising, training, assigning work, and evaluating the performance of staff
• Able to shift priorities in response to rapidly evolving work environment
• Conducting investigations regarding agents related to public health outbreaks using independent judgement and initiative, and performing data analysis on test results
• Assisting in the coordination of agency, local and federal partners in investigations
• Performing research to identify and implement new technologies
• Communicating effectively with lab technologists and internal and external partners
• Evaluating data, preparing reports, maintaining records, and assisting in the coordination of research efforts of the Agency
• Maintaining and participating in a program of quality control and assurance; and advising staff on appropriate methods and techniques
• Implementing and monitoring laboratory quality, and health and safety policies and procedures
• Performing or overseeing the design and maintenance of charts, logs, and other records
• Assist with inventory, budgeting, and procurement to ensure that laboratory is properly stocked with reagents and supplies necessary for testing; and ensure that items are properly tracked using inventory management system
• Writes original manuscripts for publication based on data analyses

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Assignment Level I: A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health
• Assignment Level II and above: A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year of full-time experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; OR a master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization; OR education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least a master's degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in "2" above. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can be substituted for the experience required in "1" and "2" above

Preferred Skills

• Previous supervisory experience with handling multiple projects and managing people
• Experience working with pathogenic organisms in a BSL2 environment
• Basic microbiology and molecular biology techniques including PCR
• Ability to interpret complex laboratory data and communicate that data to internal and external partners using independent judgement and initiative
• Experience in an environmental or clinical diagnostic testing laboratory
• Ability to generate concise reports regarding data generated during testing, verifications, etc.

Benefits

• 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
• Public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement
• Tax-deferred savings program
• 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 compared to private sector employment

Pay

City Research Scientist - 21744

Schedule

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.

Note: Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.