Scientist; water Ecology

Scientist (Water Ecology)

Agency: NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Department: Marine Sciences
Location: NYC—all boroughs; work location: 329 Greenpoint Ave., Brooklyn
Job type: Full-time
Salary range: $61,510–$90,081
Job : 792736
Posted: August 17, 2026
Final date to receive applications: October 16, 2026

Important provisional appointment notice: Candidates selected through this posting will be hired on a provisional basis. To be considered for permanent employment, provisional employees must take and pass the next civil service examination for Scientist (Water Ecology) and obtain a list number issued by the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services. Employees who do not take and pass the exam may not be able to continue in the provisional position.

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection enriches the environment and protects public health for New Yorkers by providing high-quality drinking water, managing wastewater and stormwater, and reducing air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution. DEP is the country’s largest combined municipal water and wastewater utility, with nearly 6,000 employees. Its water supply system includes 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes across a 2,000-square-mile watershed extending 125 miles north and west of the City.

The Bureau of Wastewater Treatment is responsible for operating and maintaining facilities related to sewage treatment within the five boroughs. These include 14 wastewater treatment plants, sludge dewatering facilities, collection facilities, wastewater laboratories, and harbor vessels.

Under supervision, with some latitude to exercise independent initiative and judgment, the selected candidate will participate in year-round sampling during Harbor Survey Cruises and field surveys for the Remote Monitoring Program. The candidate will assist with annual reports and the development and review of additional sampling programs.

• Process samples on board following strict standard operating procedures.
• Assist with calibration and repair of instruments.
• Schedule and perform routine maintenance on instruments and monitoring stations.
• Assist the field supervisor with placement of monitoring locations.
• Prepare graphics, maps, and/or text for annual reports.
• Perform data analysis as requested.
• Proofread and perform quality assurance/quality control for report production.
• Develop new sampling initiatives as required.
• Assist with memoranda, reports, and other documents related to additional sampling.
• Lift and carry coolers weighing up to 50 pounds.

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in environmental or chemical engineering, limnology, environmental science, marine science, geology, biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, or health science; or
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with 24 semester credits in one or a combination of the listed fields, including at least 12 credits in one field, and at least one year of satisfactory full-time experience outside of coursework in water-quality planning, management, or research; environmental laboratory analysis; and/or environmental water field sampling; or
• An associate degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by 24 semester credits in one or a combination of the listed fields, including at least 12 credits in one field, and at least three years of satisfactory full-time experience as described above.

Additional requirements: Assignment to Level II or III requires a qualifying bachelor’s degree and at least two years of the specified experience. A qualifying master’s degree may substitute for up to two years of required experience.

• Extensive knowledge of…