City of New York

Job Description

The Bureau of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (ESE) has a staff of over 100 that focuses on identifying and minimizing the risks of environmental and engineered hazards in NYC from water systems in the natural and built environments and radiation control. ESE has broad oversight of a variety of systems such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment, building premise plumbing, the NYC drinking water supply treatment and distribution, recreational water facilities (beaches, pools and spas), non-potable and water reuse systems, radioactive materials, and x-ray and radiological equipment.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

• Provide technical subject expertise in a wide variety of systems such as building plumbing systems, cooling towers, evaporative condensers, water tanks, and waste water, as well as emerging technologies
• Manage and coordinate response activities during community investigations and building evaluations based on signals from the Department's Legionnaires' disease surveillance system.
• Coordinate with ESE leadership to provide rapid field response and mobilization during Legionella response activities.
• Review and evaluate current scientific and policy documents to enhance program development,
• Serve as a primary customer service liaison for ESE in corresponding with building owners to address questions and to provide education on our regulatory program and best management practices for building water systems Implement internal and external training and public education efforts in line with our mission
• Work collaboratively and maintain effective lines of communication between Tech Team and other ESE offices as part of ongoing programmatic development and enhancement. Utilize technical writing and analysis skills to understand and assess water management programs and plans and associated operation records, drawings, and specifications of water treatment systems to establish regulatory compliance.
• Take leadership role in identifying and performing actions to identify public health risks and eliminate environmental health hazards promptly in accordance with NYC and NYS regulations.
• Assist in the development and evaluation of Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Contract documents for ESE subcontractors including but not limited to environmental consulting and analytical testing services. Perform performance evaluations of subcontractors, as needed, to meet Agency requirements.
• Assist in development of standard operating procedures, guidelines documents and final reports including text, charts and graphs that effectively depict workflow process, programmatic decisions, research findings and investigation conclusions.
• Conduct regulatory public health inspections of water tanks, cooling towers and internal premise plumbing system. Inspections include examining building records for regulatory compliance with NYC regulations and following up with building owners for non-compliance and corrective actions. Inspections include accessing high altitudes (building roofs), basements and other locations where building water systems may be located. Must be able to climb stairways and ladders, carry equipment and work in tight spaces.
• Conduct water quality monitoring and sampling and analyze the results to evaluate public health risks. Address 311 complaints as needed including performing special inspections and environmental investigations and taking appropriate corrective action measures. Issue Notices of Violation for non-compliance with NYC regulations and appear at adjudication hearings to present evidence as needed.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Academic or professional background in mechanical engineering, HVAC systems and/or plumbing systems.
• Experience in regulatory enforcement, environmental investigation and assessment related to water and/or wastewater treatment.
• Must pass medical clearance and FIT testing for wearing proper PPE respirators and must be able to climb stairways and ladders, carry equipment, work in tight spaces and at high altitudes (building roofs) to perform inspections and water testing.
• Possess strong interpersonal and customer service skills, with the ability to interact at all levels in addition to exceptional written and communication skills.
• Ability to prepare and present scientific and technical materials and correspondences to various audiences.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational and analytical skills and attention to detail.

Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint).

Why you should work for us:

• Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/)
• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:

o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.

o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.

o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.

o a tax-deferred savings program and

o a 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 - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at sahn1@health.nyc.gov or 347-396-6549.

SCIENTIST (WATER ECOLOGY) - 21538

Qualifications

1. A masters 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

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with 24 semester credits in one or a combination of the areas of study described in ""1"" 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

3. 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 in "1" 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 in "2" 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 in "2" above and must have one additional year of the experience described in "2" 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 in "1" above may be substituted for up to two years of the required experience.

Additional Information

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.