Research Scientist ; Water Pollution Albany, NY

Research Scientist 1 (Water Pollution) – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Water, Bureau of Water Resource Management (BWRM), Albany, NY. Vacancy #25‑204822.

Salary: $66,951–$85,138 (yearly). Employment:
Full‑time, permanent, non‑competitive. Travel: 10 %, telecommuting allowed. Workweek:
Mon–Fri, 8 AM–4:30 PM (37.5 hrs).

The Division of Water (DOW), Bureau of Water Resource Management (BWRM) protects, manages, and conserves NYS groundwater and surface water supply sources, developing management strategies to enhance and protect these waters, and supporting clean water plans through permitting, nonpoint source and watershed programs and research.

• Research Scientist 1 will support completion of research projects, including planning, data analysis, interpretation, and preparation of reports, papers, and publications, supporting DOW programs such as permitting, resiliency, monitoring, watershed planning, and water quantity.
• This role includes analyzing water quality, environmental and facility data, developing data visualization tools, program‑efficiency tools, and interpreting data for DOW research projects.
• Assist with data collection, literature review, analysis and interpretation, technical report production, data tool development, modeling support, and collaboration with external experts and public outreach groups.
• Contribute to research phases—problem definition, planning, execution, analysis, interpretation, and reporting—advancing DOW’s research objectives.
• Compile and analyze water quality and other technical data, ensuring quality‑assurance standards and standardizing data for research projects.
• Assist in reviewing analytical tools for visualization and evaluation of DOW program data.
• Conduct statistical analysis and develop data models to advise senior staff on results interpretation.
• Maintain networking with non‑Departmental experts, participate in research‑related work groups, provide technical support, and coordinate with state, local, and federal partners.
• Support program implementation (permitting, compliance, watershed programs, fiscal management, resiliency, water quantity) and review data submitted through DOW applications and monitoring reports.
• Assist in developing work plans, managing contracts, reporting, and event coordination for DOW research projects.
• Supervise lower‑level staff, including seasonal positions and interns, managing performance plans, reviews, timesheets, and training.

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, environmental policy, environmental management, environmental data science, environmental biology, biology, environmental chemistry, or a related natural resources field.
• Minimum of two years of professional research experience in an appropriate field.
• Master’s degree may substitute one year of experience;
  Ph.D. may substitute an additional year.

• Excellent interpersonal, writing, and verbal communication skills; comfortable public speaking.
• Experience with data management, quality control and assurance, prioritizing, reporting.
• Ability to evaluate and manage large datasets; competence in statistical and geospatial analysis of environmental data.
• Experience collecting, analyzing, and interpreting chemical, biochemical, ecological, biological, technical and geospatial data in the context of water quality.
• Proficiency in GIS, statistical computing software (R, Python), databases, Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access.
• Experience implementing statistical methods and analysis tools and interpreting results.

Must have a valid driver’s license or demonstrate ability to meet transportation needs. Travel required throughout NY State and occasionally out‑of‑state, with some overnight travel.

• Work‑life balance and generous benefits package, worth 65 % of salary.
• Holiday & paid time off.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System.
• Shift & geographic pay differentials.
• Affordable health‑care options.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.
• NYS…