Job Description
PROGRAM AND JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Division of Environment Health at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has a mission to prevent and control illness and injury related to environmental and occupational health risks through outreach and education, surveillance, and enforcement. Within the division, the Bureau of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (ESE) focuses on identifying and minimizing the risks of environmental and engineered hazards through field inspection, surveillance, scientific and engineering analysis, and data collection. Within ESE, the Office of Public Health Engineering (PHE), through technical monitoring, surveillance, and enforcement action as necessary ensures that the drinking water supply, recreational water facilities and onsite water treatment systems are in full compliance with Federal, State and City Health Code requirements to protect the health and safety of all New York City residents.
DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
Provide scientific research and literature review of proposed water quality standards and regulations, new water treatment technologies, emergency preparedness, analytical methods, surveillance tools, protocols, data systems and/or processes related to PHE programs.
Utilize data analytics and reporting to analyze compliance related to office-issued permits and prepare public facing datasets.
Assist with tracking required lead testing and remediation in school drinking water and provide input on sampling plans and building water management plans as needed.
Assist in the development and implementation of data quality assurance and quality control procedures to standardize data and generate routine and ad hoc data reports as requested.
Test and provide feedback on software-based data collection and reporting tools, monitor the data exchange process of lead testing in school drinking water results, and prepare and update documentation of program protocols.
Review engineering plans for bathing establishments and drinking water supply, treatment, and monitoring systems submitted by outside agencies and/or engineers/architects for regulatory approval and permit construction and operation oversight and provide written comments regarding compliance with applicable Federal, State and Local regulations.
Conduct regulatory water quality surveillance of the New York City drinking water supply program including collection of water quality samples and operational data analysis and compliance review.
Prepare scientific reports as it relates to the program’s compliance and surveillance activities, study findings, regulatory review of the City’s drinking and recreational water quality programs.
Assist in development of technical guidance, informational factsheets, and recommendations related to drinking water treatment technologies, nonpotable water reuse, emerging contaminants, and recreational water safety.
Preferred Skills:
Background in engineering, chemistry, biological sciences, data sciences, or public health.
Experience in engineering plan and specification review, water treatment, water quality monitoring, and data analytics or database management.
Experience using R, SQL, Tableau, or ArcGIS, and Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel.
Ability to communicate written and orally with members of the public and technical experts.
Easily adaptable to a dynamic work environment.
Why you should work for us:
- Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/)
- Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
o a tax-deferred savings program and
o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
- Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
- Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.
Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.
Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!
Commitment to Equity:
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.
The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at sahn1@health.nyc.gov or 347-396-6549.
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.