Field Inspector - 3 positions

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 Water Supply seeks to hire three (3) Scientist (Water Ecology) Level II’s for positions in Distribution Water Quality Operations’ Distribution Laboratory located in Queens, New York. The Scientist (Water Ecology) II’s will serve as Field Inspectors and will report directly to the Field Operations Supervisors. The Field Inspectors will monito the drinking water quality in the City’s distribution system by collecting samples and performing field water quality analyses for compliance with New York State and federal regulations. Specific duties include:

- Collecting drinking water quality compliance samples from sampling stations, hydrants, wells, and consumer internal tap locations throughout New York City.

- Testing of field analyses including pH, residual chlorine, orthophosphate, temperature, turbidity, and specific conductance.

- Calibrating, maintaining and troubleshooting of assigned field meters.

- Maintaining additional assigned field equipment and vehicles for optimum performance.

- Recording the results of analyses and investigations onto spreadsheets and handheld barcode scanners.

- Assisting in water quality emergency remediation and field investigations as needed.


All sampling and analyses are performed by following New York State approved testing methods and procedures

License Requirement

At the time of appointment, candidates must possess a Motor Vehicle Driver License valid in the State of New York. Employees must maintain this license for the duration of employment.
(This is a brief description of what you might do in this position and does not include all the duties of this position.)


Some of the physical activities performed by Scientists (Water Ecology) and environmental conditions experienced are: lift and carry packages weighing approximately 20 pounds for a distance of 30 feet, perform duties in confined work areas, wear protective garments such as gloves, lab coats, goggles, and life vests, handle and manipulate laboratory equipment and instruments/tools such as glass test tubes, slides, beakers and other glassware, scalpels, scissors, etc., adjust settings on machines, which requires fine finger and hand coordination and control, and collect samples at sites in all weather conditions.

Special Working Conditions: Scientists (Water Ecology) may be required to work shifts including nights, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.



Preferred Skills:

- Computer literacy and familiarity with various software applications including Microsoft Office Suite

- Experience with Geographic Information System (GIS)

- Must be able to clearly communicate, orally and in writing, in the English language

- Ability to lift and carry 30 pounds a distance of 25 feet.

- Must be able to write legibly on field dispatch cards and be able to record and transfer the results of analyses/investigations onto spreadsheets/handheld barcode scanners.

- Ability to sit in a vehicle and drive throughout the five boroughs for six to seven hours per day.


Hours/Shift:

35 Hours per week / Day shirt, this laboratory operates seven (7) days a week and these positions involves working a rotating five (5) day work week schedule, which will include weekends and some holidays.




Work Location:

96-05 Horace Harding Expressway

Flushing, NY 11368

SCIENTIST (WATER ECOLOGY) - 21538

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.

Additional Requirements

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.

Special Note
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.

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.