Job Description

IMPORTANT NOTE: Candidates selected to fill a City Research Scientist position from this posting will be appointed on a provisional basis. As a provisional employee, you will be required to take and pass the next City Research Scientist civil service examination and be given a list number by the NYC Dept. of Citywide Administrative Services in order to be considered for probable permanent employment in this title. Anyone who does not take and pass this examination, or who is not reached on the established list, will be terminated as a provisional City Research Scientist.

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 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 Bureau of Wastewater Treatment is seeking to fill the position of Senior EHS Specialist, who will be a critical support leader for supporting the Bureau’s environmental program efforts. The Senior EHS Specialist will lead and manage EHS assessments based on internal EHS programs and external regulatory requirements( ie. OSHA, PESH, DEC, EPA), as well as respond as a lead reviewer of incident, near miss and hazard identification reviews. This position will also have responsibility for recognizing and supporting the development of a balanced set of metrics that covers leading and lagging indicators based on agency and bureau KPIs.

Responsible for:

1) Providing leadership and project support to the EHS Directorate by working closely with the EHS Section Chief assisting with EHS risk reduction approaches and performance improvement initiatives.

2) Leading and/or participating in the research and evaluation of regulatory requirements and EHS best management practices.

3) Coordinating support of the Bureau’s EHS programs, including Emergency Planning, Risk Management Planning, Right-to Know, and other EHS Programs.

4) Actively utilizing enterprise-wide systems and computer-based programs for safety data sheet management, audit findings, violations and facility assets (e.g. SIRS, AIT; AIIMS, NOVs, CMMS, etc.).

5) Participating in OEHS Assessments, BWT internal Programmatic Assessments, and various levels of incident investigations.

6) 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.

7) Working closely with DEP legal staff and other stakeholders to communicate and resolve high risk observations as well as close out actions.

8) Proactively working to provide implementation support, oversight and effective communication on EHS related elements of contract activities (e.g. BEDC, JOCs, etc.), Prevention Through Design (PTD), Deep Dives, Pre-construction work, pre-award EHS contractor program and E-HASP review and approval.

9) Providing technical support and staff management during high-level emergencies and recovery, with 24/7 availability.

10) Coordinating between Bureau EHS and Operations the EHS communication campaigns, events, and supports EHS training. Preparing EHS communication materials, such as safety posters, EHS informational sheets, alerts and toolbox talks. Preparing other EHS communications, such as safety articles for BWT newsletters, lessons learned, etc.

11) Maintaining technical proficiency through attending training, conferences, webinars. Displaying satisfactory work habits in completion of responsibilities and functions, meetting assignments’ goals and timeframes.

12) Occasionally performing duties of Acting BWT EHS Section Chief, when required.

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.

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.