Chemist

As per civil service Rule 3.2.11 candidates must live outside the five (5) boroughs or be permanent in the civil service title listed in order to be considered for appointment.

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 an Associate Chemist II to serve in the Chemistry section of Hawthorne Laboratory within Water Quality, Drinking Water Operations Directorate.

The work will include laboratory analysis of samples for alkalinity, ammonia, phosphorus, nitrogen, organic carbon, chloride, sulfate, chlorate, chlorite and fluoride.

Reviewing data; preparing standards and reagents; performing instrument calibration and maintenance; obtaining satisfactory calibration, QC, and proficiency test results; preparing method Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) under direction of supervisor; preparing and maintaining inventory of equipment and supplies; and ensuring compliance with all Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) regulations.

Under the supervision of the Chemistry Supervisor, this position involves performing routine qualitative and quantitative analyses of drinking water and environmental water samples in accordance with regulatory requirements for drinking water and environmental water testing using methods approved by New York State. Additional tasks include glassware washing and general laboratory support. These tasks will also include support functions to ensure efficient operations within the laboratory such as maintaining appropriate laboratory Quality Control (QC) solution preparation and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) work. All tasks must follow all applicable environmental, health and safety regulations and DEP’s policies and procedures.

Specific duties include:

• Perform routine analytical samples accurately and precisely
• Perform instrument calibration and maintenance
• Familiarity with data compilation protocols, including use of data reporting programs associated with assigned instruments(s) and laboratory information management systems i.e. STARLIMS.
• Ensures data entries in notebooks and files of computer output are complete and legible.
• Maintain accurate electronic and written records. Review data, generate reports, prepare standards and reagents
• Promptly submits data for review by specified deadline.
• Conduct research and investigations as directed by the supervisor
• Prepare method SOPs under the direction of the supervisor
• Prepare and maintain inventory of equipment and supplies

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

Special Working Conditions:

Some of the physical activities performed by Associate Chemists and environmental conditions experienced are: standing for an extended period of time, wearing protective garments such as gloves, lab coats, and glasses, goggles, handling and manipulating laboratory equipment and instruments, tools such as glass and plastic ware, etc. Some heavy lifting.

Health and Safety requirements for an Associate Chemist Level II include being familiar with, and complying with applicable environmental, health & safety (EH&S) laws and regulations, and DEP’s EH&S policies and procedures as set out in Employee Environmental, Health and Safety Handbook that relate to work assignments and work environment. As well as reporting any instance of non-compliance, or issue of concern regarding violation of policy, standards or procedures to supervisor or appropriate authorities.

Preferred Skills:

• Communication skills (written and oral)
• Working knowledge of laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
• Time management and Organizational skills
• Adhere to all standard operating procedures and follow good lab practices
• Ability to analyze samples accurately and precisely
• Maintains neat and organized workstation
• Analytical ability
• Interpersonal skills
• Completes key tasks in