The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) protects public health and the environment by supplying clean drinking water, collecting and treating wastewater, 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 delivers more than 1.1 billion gallons per day of the highest quality drinking water to 8.5 million NYC residents and more than 1 million people in Upstate New York and has a wastewater conveyance and treatment system capable of processing over 1.3 billion gallons of wastewater per day to protect the environment and the city’s surrounding waterways.
The Bureau of Wastewater Treatment (BWT) is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all facilities related to the treatment of sewage within the five boroughs of the City. This includes 14 wastewater treatment plants, sludge dewatering facilities, collections facilities (pumping stations, combined sewer overflow retention facilities, regulators, tide gates, etc.), wastewater laboratories and harbor vessels.
The City Research Scientist/Associate Public Health Sanitarian (APHS) will be responsible for leading, guiding and providing support concerning Operations' EHS aspects to ensure identified issues, including but not limited to workers concerns are addressed and that the work environment remains, or is put into, EHS compliance.
Responsible For:
a) Coaching, mentoring and provide guidance to assigned FEHS, covering assigned WRRFs, in the administration of the core FEHS duties, to ensure continuous compliance with applicable EHS rules and regulations.
b) Providing support to the Division of EHS Performance Improvement Support, and EHS Directorate, by working closely with the Division Chief to assist with sustaining and advancing EHS program across assigned WRRFs, through proactive EHS risk management approaches and performance improvement initiatives.
c) Leading and or participating in the development, preparation, support and review of assigned WRRFs EHS Performance Reports, including setting objectives, targets and deliverable metric reports, following best industry standards and formal Management System approach (i.e., EHSMS, QMS, Lean Management).
d) Lead and or participate in incident investigations, support Agency (e.g., OEHS, BLA) initiatives including EHS policy development, Agency level assessments, action item extensions, and finding
closeout.
e) Actively utilize enterprise-wide systems and computer-based programs for assigned EHS program management, audit findings, violations, and facility assets (e.g., SIRS, AIT; AIIMS, NOVs, CMMS, etc.,).
f) Participate and represent Division in internal/external enforcement and other inspections and site visits by regulatory entities and other entities having jurisdiction to visit and inspect WRRFs (e.g., PESH, NYSDEC, OEHS Assessments, BWT internal Programmatic Assessments, and various levels of site investigations).
g) Interfacing with Federal, State and Agency level representatives to coordinate the Bureau's approach to compliance and provide appropriate level feedback regarding BWT’s efforts at meeting its compliance obligations and management system initiatives.
h) Working collaboratively with Office of Development and Human Resources Training Section to support and conduct relevant EHS training for assigned FEHS and or operations staff.
i) Working closely with DEP Bureau of Legal Affairs (BLA) and other stakeholders to communicate and resolve high risk discoveries as well as close out actions, pertaining to EHS aspects of operation.
j) Proactively work to provide implementation support, oversight and effective communication on EHS aspects of construction activities, throughout the lifecycle of the contract activities (e.g. BEDC, JOCs, etc.,), Prevention Through Design (PTD), Deep Dives, Pre-construction work, E-HASP reviews.
k) Occasionally performing duties of Acting BWT EHS Division Chief, when required.
l) Providing technical support and staff management during high-level emergencies and recovery, with 24/7 availability.

Minimum Qualifications

1. For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.
To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have:
1. A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year of full-time experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or
2. A master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least a master's degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in "2" above. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can be substituted for the experience required in "1" and "2" above.
NOTE:
Probationary Period
Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.

Preferred Skills

1. Excellent working knowledge of EHS rules and regulations, governed by US EPA, US DOL(OSHA), NYS DEC, NYS PESH, NYC DOB, FDNY, and other applicable legal and other requirements. 2. Demonstrated experience to perform EHS compliance inspections, performing trending analysis and developing corrective action plans and reporting subsequent result of the implementation. 3. Excellent technical and soft skills (i.e., interpersonal, communication, negotiation, presentation, interpretations, etc.). 4. Strong analytical and critical thinking skill, understanding and demonstrated application of the agile principles in industrial and or office work settings. 5. Professional Certification (e.g., CSP, ASP, CPEA, CIH, CHMM and or other EHS related) and/or Management System (Lead) Auditor Certificate (EHS MS, QMS, etc.). 6. Strong oral presentation, training and writing skills 7. Experience in preparing and presenting technical material to management staff. 8. Ability to work independently, requiring minimal day-to-day direction or oversight.

55a Program

This position is open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate on your resume or cover letter that you would like to be considered under the 55-a Program. This position is also open to non 55-a Program candidates who meet the education and experience requirements as listed in the job posting notice.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.