Wet Chemist

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 an Associate Chemist II to serve as a Wet Chemist, to assist with performing daily operational tasks within the Wet Chemistry Section of the Distribution Laboratory. Under the supervision of the Chemistry Section Supervisor, the Associate Chemist II will perform routine qualitative and quantitative analyses of drinking water and environmental water samples, in accordance with regulatory requirements for drinking water and environmental water testing, using instruments of high complexity by following New York State approved methods.

Specific duties include:

• Performing routine analytical testing using drinking wet chemistry approved methods following written protocols
• Ensuring that analyses are performed in accordance with regulatory requirements for drinking water and conduct routine laboratory quality control procedures according to the Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP), the National Environmental Laboratories Accreditation Conference (NELAC), the TNI protocols and the DWQ Quality Assurance Manual
• Implementing methods using spectrophotometers, autotitrators, Ion-Selective Electrode (ISE) meters and Ion Chromatography (IC)
• Reviewing data; generating reports; preparing standards and reagents
• Performing instrument calibration and maintenance; performing minor repairs; obtaining satisfactory calibration, QC, and proficiency test results
• Conducting research and investigations as directed by the supervisor
• Preparing method SOPs under the direction of the supervisor
• Preparing and maintaining inventory of equipment and supplies

Some of the physical activities performed by Associate Chemists and environmental conditions experienced are: lifting and carrying packages weighing approximately 20 pounds for a distance of 30 feet; performing duties in confined work areas; wearing protective garments such as respirators, gloves, lab coats, and goggles; handling and manipulating laboratory equipment and instruments/tools; adjusting settings on machines which require fine finger and hand coordination and control;

and collecting samples at sites in all weather conditions.

Health and Safety requirements for an Associate Chemist Level II include familiarizing with, and complying with applicable environmental, health & safety (EH&S) laws and regulations, and DEP’s EH&S policies and procedures as set out in the Employee Environmental, Health and Safety Handbook that relate to work assignments and work environment. Also reporting any instance of non‑compliance, or issue of concern regarding violation of policy, standards or procedures to supervisor or appropriate authorities.

Special

Working Conditions:

Associate Chemists may be required to work all hours of the day or night and Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite software including Excel, Word, Power Point, SharePoint and Teams
• Familiarity with database systems such as STARLIMS brand Laboratory Information Management System
• Ability to analyze samples accurately and precisely
• Ability to utilize the New York State Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP) administered in accordance with directives of the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (TNI), and Standard Methods for assigned analysis to obtain Quality Control objectives
• Analytical ability
• Interpersonal skills
• Communication skills both written and oral
• Time management

35 hours per week. Day shift; may be required to work nights, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.