Field Scientist

Field Scientist

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 Scientist (Water Ecology) III for a position in Distribution Water Quality Operations' Field Operations Unit located in Queens, New York. Under direction, of the Field Supervisors, the Scientist (Water Ecology) III, will monitor the drinking water quality in the City's distribution system by collecting samples, performing chemical field analyses for compliance, and verification, and maintenance of online Water Quality (WQ) instrumentation in accordance with NYS and federal regulations. Specific duties include:

• Being responsible for the collection of drinking water quality compliance samples from sampling stations, hydrants, wells, and internal tap locations. Additionally, testing of field analyses including pH, residual chlorine, orthophosphate, temperature, turbidity, and specific conductance shall be performed.
• Maintaining, verifying and calibrating water quality monitoring instrumentation, such as, but not limited to, continuous water quality analyzers, probes, sensors, handheld water quality meters and data capture devices and barcode scanners.
• Assisting in water quality emergency remediation and field investigations as needed.
• Responding to emergency calls related to water quality instrumentation (chlorine, pH, etc) outside of normal working hours.

Some of the physical activities performed by Scientists (Water Ecology) and environmental conditions experienced are: lift and carry packages weighing approximately 20 pounds for a distance of 30 feet; perform duties in confined work areas; wear protective garments such as gloves, lab coats, goggles, and life vests; handle and manipulate laboratory equipment and instruments/tools such as glass test tubes, slides, beakers and other glassware, scalpels, scissors, etc.; adjust settings on machines, which requires fine finger and hand coordination and control; and collect samples at sites in all weather conditions. Special Working Conditions: Scientists (Water Ecology) may be required to work shifts including nights, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Preferred Skills:

• A valid NYS driver's license for the duration of their employment
• Familiarity with of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint
• Familiarity with WISKI
• Familiarity with online water quality instrumentation
• Familiarity with personal data capture devices
• Mechanical ability in maintenance and troubleshooting equipment
• Experience in collecting routine and special samples for water quality compliance/special investigation
• Experience in performing field analytical verifications of continuous water quality monitoring instrumentation
• Ability to write legibly on field dispatch cards and be able to record and transfer the results of analyses/investigations onto spreadsheets/handheld barcode scanners
• Ability to ensure data entries in notebooks and files of computer output are complete and legible.
• Strong written and communication skills
• Drive throughout the five boroughs for six hours a day.
• Interpersonal skills
• Time management
• Knowledge of WQ parameters
• Knowledge of online WQ instrumentation

Hours and Shift: 35 Hours per week. Rotating five (5) day work week schedule, including weekends and holidays. May require emergency response at all hours of the day or night. Work Location: 96-05 Horace Harding Expressway Flushing, NY 11368