Associate Chemist

City of New York•Queens, NY

About The Position

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) protects public health and the environment by providing 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 New York City. The Bureau of Wastewater Treatment (BWT) operates and maintains facilities involved in sewage treatment across the five boroughs, including 14 wastewater treatment plants, sludge dewatering and collections facilities, wastewater laboratories, and harbor vessels. Under the general supervision of a BWT Laboratory Technical Director or Assistant Technical Director, the Associate Chemist performs and/or supervises chemical analyses and physical or chemical tests of varying complexity on wastewater, biosolids, and other substances. The role includes some independent decision-making. Candidates selected through this posting will initially be hired provisionally. To be considered for permanent employment, provisional employees must take and pass the next civil service examination for Associate Chemist and obtain a list number issued by the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services. Employees who do not pass the exam may not be able to continue in the provisional position. The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to a workplace free from discrimination and harassment based on legally protected status or characteristics.

Requirements

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, including or supplemented by 16 semester credits in chemistry and 8 semester credits in one or a combination of chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, environmental science, forensic science, or another natural science.
At appointment to a clinical laboratory, candidates must hold a valid New York State Education Department License as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist and maintain it for the duration of employment.
For placement in Assignment Level II or above, at least two years of full-time satisfactory experience performing chemical or physical analyses in a laboratory is required after meeting the minimum Assignment Level I requirements.
For Assignment Level II and above, 30 graduate semester credits from an accredited college in a qualifying area of study may substitute for one year of experience; candidates must still meet the baccalaureate degree and specialized-credit requirements.

Responsibilities

Process samples for analysis.
Prepare and standardize solutions and reagents, and use required quality control procedures.
Prepare reports on analysis results.
Test, calibrate, and maintain automated and/or computerized instruments and equipment.
Review laboratory analysis results performed by others.
Participate in required proficiency tests.
Devise tests and implement new methods and procedures.
Assist the supervisor with implementing safety and health procedures, controlling inventory, and purchasing laboratory supplies and equipment.
Train subordinates and peers and provide technical advice regarding materials and methodologies for instrumental and non-instrumental analyses.
May supervise staff conducting sample processing, instrumental and/or chemical analysis, quality control, and safety activities, if designated.