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

City of New York • Long Island City, NY

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

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. Reporting directly to a Field Staff Supervisor on a team of inspectors, you will be tasked with leading a two-person inspection team conducting cooling tower inspections in all five boroughs of New York City. You will be dealing directly with building operators and engineers to document inspection findings, provide guidance, and to issue summons when required.

Requirements

• A masters degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following areas of study: environmental or chemical engineering, limnology, environmental science, marine science, geology, biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, or health science; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with 24 semester credits in one or a combination of the areas of study described in "1" above, at least 12 of which must have been in one of these areas of study; and at least one year of satisfactory full time experience, which may not have been part of graduate or undergraduate course work, working in the field of water quality planning, management or research or performing environmental laboratory analyses, and/or environmental field sampling of water; or
• An associate degree from an accredited college or university including or supplemented by 24 semester credits in one or a combination of the areas of study described in "1" above, at least 12 of which must have been in one of these areas of study; and at least three years of satisfactory full time experience as described in "2" above.
• To be assigned to Assignment Levels II or III, all candidates must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university as described in "2" above and must have one additional year of the experience described in "2" above for a total of two years of experience.
• A master's degree from an accredited college in one of the areas described in "1" above may be substituted for up to two years of the required experience.

Nice To Haves

• 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 confined spaces, work at high altitudes (building roofs) in order to perform field inspections and water testing.
• Pass medical clearance and FIT testing for wearing proper PPE respirators.
• Must complete and pass Agency required trainings and be in compliance with the position related certificates and licenses.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Access).

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead inspector in a two-person inspection team responsible for performing inspections, water sampling, summons issuance, and education & outreach to the cooling tower regulated community.
• Conduct investigations of building water supply and distribution systems including cooling towers, evaporative condensers, internal plumbing, and wastewater systems.
• Perform environmental sampling of building water supply and distribution systems for water quality analysis including collection of water quality measurements
• Review building maintenance programs and plans for cooling tower systems to ensure compliance.
• Conduct Compliance inspections to selected facilities to ensure corrective actions and documentation were done to mitigate potential risks to the public.
• Review building cooling tower systems operational records to ensure compliance.
• Prepare reports pertaining to the findings of the field investigation including the preparation of electronic inspection reports using software developed for BWSO to implement inspection protocols.
• Educate building owners and managers in best practices for managing cooling towers, evaporative condensers, internal plumbing, and wastewater systems.
• Counsel facility/premises/owner /operator regarding regulations and remedial measures when necessary.
• Issue Notice of Violations and Tribunal summons for non-compliance with NYC Health Code and NYS Sanitary Code.
• Participate in the development of standard operating procedures for the field and conduct field surveys associated with building water supply and distribution systems.
• Review plans, drawings, and specifications for building water supply and distribution systems.
• Provide recommendations and take corrective actions based on findings of the field investigation as needed or directed by supervisor.
• Assist the ESE in related Public Health Engineering tasks including water and sewage complaints, beach inspections and sampling and pool inspections and sampling as needed.

Benefits

• premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• a tax-deferred savings program
• a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level