Drinking Water Quality Field Operations Section Chief

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 Water Supply seeks to hire a City Research Scientist IV-A for a position in the Distribution Water Quality (DWQ) Division, Drinking Water Operations Directorate located in Queens, New York. The Drinking Water Quality (DWQ) Field Section is responsible for collecting around 750 compliance, and 350 Operational samples monthly at key locations from within the NYC distribution system. In addition, overseeing the 311 consumer complaint calls, preparing and initiating special projects and sampling requests, and responding to water quality emergencies when they occur.

Under administrative direction, of the Deputy Chief of Field Operations, the City Research Scientist IV A is responsible for drafting, updating, implementing, and enforcing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Ensure staff complete training and maintain training records. Perform data review and analysis and generate reports. Stay abreast of and report out on drinking water quality regulations, investigate specific water quality problems in NYC's drinking water distribution system, and respond to water quality emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This individual will also be responsible for working with Water Quality management to develop inspection and sampling plans for the implementation of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements.
Specific duties include:

- Assist the Deputy Chief of Field Operations in administrative matters of the Field Section assuming the role as Deputy Chief of Field Operations when required. Coordinating and evaluating monitoring and research functions to ensure support for the Bureau’s priorities and goals.

- Responsible for planning and implementing operational and research activities in a major field of physical, biological, environmental, or social research.

- Plans, develops, implements and is responsible for developing work schedules to ensure 365 days per year coverage for the DWQ field staff and coordinating schedules with DWQ Field supervisors to ensure support for all DWQ Field programs.

- Leads the efficient and accurate management of any special sampling programs including the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements requirements, and the wellhead protection program, routine monthly, quarterly, annual compliance sampling.

- Directs independent investigations into water quality deficiencies in the distribution system and instructs subordinate staff in methods and techniques.

- Independently uses and manipulates computer programs (ITScriptNet, Geographic Information System (GIS), Excel, Access, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), etc.) to evaluate water quality methods, procedures, and data by accessing available databases to generate queries, and submitting electronic reports, or writing papers for publication, as required.

- Provides leadership and general direction to agency personnel in planning, conducting, and coordinating specific water quality research projects.

- Keeps abreast of revisions to federal and State regulations on drinking water quality issues and advocates appropriate modifications to field sampling and monitoring Quality Assurance (QA) programs.

- Evaluates and ensures accurate entry of electronic sampling data , legible and accurate transcription of written records into logbooks and other required documents related to the field monitoring program.

- Experience with sampling, monitoring, familiarity of laboratory operations and requirements, as well as understanding of QA QC procedures that apply to ELAP certified laboratories.

- Participates in conferences, meetings, seminars, etc., on the planning and development of sound research projects.

(This is a brief description of what you might do in this position and does not include all the duties of this position.)

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

1. For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) 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.
To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have:
1. 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
2. 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
3. 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.

NOTE:
Probationary Period
Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.

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.