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

Scientist (Water Ecology) – Bureau of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, City of New York, NY.

The Office of Building Water System Oversight (BWSO) within the Bureau of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (ESE) conducts inspections to ensure compliance with rules and regulations concerning engineered systems such as cooling towers, water tanks, evaporative condensers, internal plumbing, and wastewater systems to prevent risks associated with these systems.

• Under supervision, conduct 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.
• Review water management plans, equipment operation records, and physical inspection of mechanical and chemical treatment equipment; collect water samples and perform water quality analysis.
• Generate and submit field inspection reports according to the Bureau's inspection protocols and conduct follow‑up compliance inspections, as needed, to mitigate potential risks to the public.
• Assist with customer service to regulated community including building owners, facility maintenance personnel, superintendents, and other responsible parties.
• Provide recommendations to improve regulatory compliance and corrective actions to eliminate environmental health hazards promptly in accordance with NYC and NYS regulations.
• Review inspection findings and prepare necessary evidence used by the Department at the Office of Administrative Tribunal Hearings convened to adjudicate notice of violations and summonses.
• Assist with rapid response to signals from the Department's Legionnaires' disease surveillance system and implement the response protocol.
• Prepare water samples for drop off or shipping to analytical laboratories, completing all necessary laboratory forms and documents.
• Conduct field surveys associated with identifying potential risks for Legionella exposure; review process schematics, engineering plans, drawings and specifications for cooling tower systems and building water supply and distribution systems.

• Academic background in environmental or chemical engineering, limnology, environmental science, marine science, geology, biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, or health science.
• Preference for field work, including travel throughout the five boroughs.
• Ability to climb ladders, work in tight spaces, and at high altitudes (building roofs) to perform field inspections and water testing.
• Knowledge or study in hazard mitigation, risk assessment, environmental investigations, or public health.
• Pass medical clearance and FIT testing for wearing proper PPE respirators; complete and pass Agency required trainings and hold position related certificates and licenses.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• 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).

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following areas: environmental or chemical engineering, limnology, environmental science, marine science, geology, biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, or health science; or
• Bachelor’s degree with 24 semester credits in one or a combination of the above areas, at least 12 of which in those areas; and at least one year of satisfactory full‑time experience not part of coursework, working in water quality planning, management or research or performing environmental laboratory analyses and/or environmental field sampling of water.
• Associate degree with 24 semester credits in one or a combination of the areas and at least 12 of which in those areas; and at least three years of satisfactory full‑time experience as described above.
• For Assignment Levels II or III, a baccalaureate degree and an additional year of the described experience for a total of two years.
• A master’s degree may substitute for up to two years of the required experience.

• Premium‑free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10,000 annually.
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