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

Open to candidates who are permanent or to those who have successfully filed for SCIENTIST (WATER ECOLOGY) Exam No. 7065, within the filing period From:
September 2, 2026 To:
September 22, 2026.

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.

The Scientist (Water Ecology) Level I position is part of a community inspection team that works together with data and compliance analysts, research scientists, operations and logistics staff, and leadership and administration. Under supervision, Scientist (Water Ecology) Level I perform regulatory inspections to ensure compliance with NYC regulations; educate building owners and managers in best practices for managing water tanks, cooling towers, evaporative condensers, internal plumbing, and waste water systems;

implement and evaluate regulatory strategies to identify and mitigate risk; and, conduct environmental investigations and mitigation efforts in response to Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks.

• 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.
• Under supervision, field inspections will include review of water management plans, equipment operation records, physical inspection of mechanical and chemical treatment equipment, water sample collection and water quality analysis.
• Under supervision, 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.
• Under supervision, assist with customer service to our regulated community including building owners, facility maintenance personnel, superintendents, and any other responsible parties.
• Assist in providing recommendations to improve regulatory compliance and corrective actions to eliminate environmental health hazards promptly in accordance with the 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 triggered by the Department’s Legionnaires’ disease surveillance system and implement our response protocol.
• Prepare water samples for drop o f or shipping to analytical laboratories including completion of 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.
• Prefer to work in the field including travel throughout the five boroughs.
• Must be able to climb ladders and work in tight spaces, work in 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…