Scientist (Water Ecology), Bureau of Environmental Sciences and Engineering

The Office of Building Water System Oversight (BWSO) within the Bureau of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (ESE) is responsible for conducting inspections to ensure compliance with various rules and regulations aimed at improving the operating conditions of various engineered systems such as cooling towers, water tanks, evaporative condensers, internal plumbing, and wastewater systems in order to prevent risks associated with these systems.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
- Directing and planning activities to achieve annual field inspection targets for the BWSO unit including scheduling and logistical support, providing work assignments to field staff, solving issues that arise during field work, monitoring field task progress and evaluating data to measure inspection results.
- Supervising and leading a team of Scientist Water Ecologists II, Scientist Water Ecologists I, and Scientist Water Ecologists Trainees including organizing workflows and ensuring that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks.
- Oversee program projects relating to new registrations, registration issues, decommissioning, general compliance follow up, monitoring of field visits, and field operations team professional development.
- Setting performance goals, mentoring and meeting with staff individually and in teams, and providing performance evaluations for the staff members.
- Managing and coordinating rapid response activities during community investigations and building evaluations based on the Department's Legionnaires' disease surveillance system and response protocol.
- Utilizing technical writing and analysis skills to assess and understand water management programs and plans and associated operation records, drawings and specifications of water treatment systems to establish regulatory compliance.
- Serving as a primary customer service liaison for the Bureau of ESE in corresponding with building owners and managers to address questions and to provide education on our regulatory program and best management practices for building water systems.
- Taking leadership role in identifying and performing actions to eliminate environmental health hazards promptly in accordance with NYC regulations.
- Representing the Department in an enforcement capacity by serving violations/summons to business owners or owners' representatives and attending Tribunal hearings to adjudicate notice of violations and summons. Will be responsible for reviewing inspection findings and preparing necessary evidence to represent the Department.
- Lead field inspections that include travel through the five boroughs to various building types for building water supply and distribution systems such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, building plumbing, and wastewater systems.
- Perform quality control on inspections for accuracy in accordance with the Bureau's inspection protocols and manage completion of follow up compliance inspections, as needed, to mitigate potential risks to the public. This includes contacting facilities, assigning cases to staff, and case management and documentation in our database.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
- Academic background in environmental or chemical engineering, limnology, environmental science, marine science, geology, biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, or health science.
- Experience in environmental sciences, water testing, supervising field staff, and designing drinking and/or wastewater plans.
- Knowledge or study in hazard mitigation, risk assessment, environmental investigations, or public health.
- Experience with supervising staff and/or leading teams of inspectors.
- Ability to climb ladders and work in confined spaces, work in high altitudes (building roofs) in order to perform water testing.
- Pass medical clearance and FIT testing for wearing proper PPE respirators.
- Complete and pass Agency required trainings and be in compliance with position related certificates and licenses.
- Strong interpersonal and customer service skills, with the ability to interact at all levels in addition to exceptional written and communication skills.
- Demonstrate excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to perform data entry and navigate inspection programs on a portable device (iPhone or Tablet).
- Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Access).

Why you should work for us:

- 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