Position Information

NY HELPNo

AgencyEnvironmental Conservation, Department of

TitleEnvironmental Program Specialist 2

Occupational CategoryI.T. Engineering, Sciences

Salary Grade23

Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)

Salary RangeFrom $84156 to $106454 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Contingent Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class

Travel Percentage 15%

Schedule

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.5

Workday

From 8 AM

To 4:30 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? Yes

Location

County Albany

Street Address 625 Broadway

City Albany

StateNY

Zip Code12233

Job Specifics

Duties Description Under the supervision of the Section Chief, assist in the oversight and implementation of the Division of Water’s Quality Assurance Quality Control (QA/QC) program including program development and support functions. Incumbents will apply their knowledge of environmental science and environmental legislation, rules, and regulations to identify and develop solutions to environmental issues within DOW’s QA/QC program. As water resource specialists with knowledge of various programs within DOW including water quality monitoring, wastewater, harmful algal blooms, and water quality modeling, incumbents will provide technical advice, consultation and guidance on programs and issues to program staff, agency officials, consultants and members of the regulated community, special interest groups and the general public.

The EPS 2 is responsible for supervising various staff including entry level positions and interns including the development of performance plans, and associated reviews; review and approval of timesheets and expense reports; development and completion of program specific training for new staff.

Quality Assurance and Analytical Support
•Coordinate and manage the Division’s Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Program by serving as the Division’s QA Officer (QAO). Tasks include but are not limited to:

Review and approve all QA documentation, including but not limited to Quality Assurance Management Plans (QAMPS), Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Data Usability Assessment Reports (DUARs), and data reports;
Provide guidance to Division staff regarding QA/QC issues;
Manage the internal tracking of all QA/QC documents for review and approval;
Manage the development of tools such as templates and checklists to improve document development and revision;
Schedule and oversee the completion of field audits of technical projects; author field audit assessment reports; coordinate the communication of field audit findings through management for corrective action, as necessary;
Plan and conduct QA/QC training for Division staff, and external partners as necessary;
Obtain training in QA/QC as recommended by USEPA.
Represent the Division’s QA/QC program in other projects and activities as they relate.

•Train the Division’s Assistant Quality Assurance Officers (AQAO) on standard QA/QC procedures and duties. Manage and delegate appropriate QA/QC workload among the Division’s AQAOs to complete all QA/QC activities in an efficient manner.

•Maintain USEPA Region 2 QA delegation to the DOW and provide all USEPA QA reporting under the Partnership Performance Grant (PPG) requirements. Coordinate with the USEPA Region 2 Quality Assurance Manager on the State’s program and PPG commitments, and incorporate updated federal guidance as appropriate.

•Provide expert, technical guidance to Division/Department staff on sampling procedures, analytical methodology, and appropriate quality control measures to support various Division programs. Plan and assist in conducting staff trainings on the listed subject matter and general QA/QC good practices.

•Provide guidance to external partners, as needed, on the development of QA/QC documentation that is consistent with State and Federal guidance, and meets any applicable contractual requirements.

•Manage QA content for the Department’s internal and external QA/QC webpages. Update and replace content as needed to reflect revisions to QAPPs and SOPs within the Division as they occur. Provide relevant QA/QC document templates.

•Work with DOW staff and external data partners on submissions of data to the Federal Water Quality Exchange Network to ensure proper QA/QC documentation exists and data are availability to all DOW programs.

•Provide technical review and assessment of Alternate Test Procedure (ATP) requests submitted to the Division. Ensure ATP methods meet the performance criteria required for the targeted project, program or permit.

•Work with external data partners on the design and implementation of water quality research programs. Coordinate their submission of water quality data and information to the Federal Water Quality Exchange Network.

•Assist in the development of, and conduct, training, presentations, and outreach to partners and stakeholder groups for guidance on appropriate QA/QC practices and criteria related to water quality programs.

Water Quality Standards
•Under the technical supervision of the Section Chief, assist in the implementation of DOW’s Water Quality Standards (WQS) program through the development of new and/or revision of existing WQS.

•Under the supervision of the Section Chief and through direction from senior staff, assist in preparing portions of WQS rulemaking documents.

•With other WQS program staff assist in conducting portions of applied research projects to support the WQS program. This includes the derivation, evaluation, testing, and implementation of new and/or revised WQS.

Preferred Additional Qualifications
•Completion of Federal Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities trainings.
•Completion of Federal Water Quality Standard Academy training.
•Experience in, and understanding of, analytical chemistry in water pollution and the measurement of water quality.
•Experience in the evaluation of modified sampling techniques and novel analytical approaches for the monitoring of contaminants of emerging concern.
•Experience understanding the biochemical dynamics between water chemistry and the formation or cyanobacteria cells and cyanotoxins in freshwaters.
•Experience with collecting and working with chemical, biochemical, ecological, biological, and geospatial data within the context of water quality.
•Experience working in an analytical laboratory setting
•Experience with data management, analysis, reporting, prioritizing, quality control and quality assurance.
•Proficiency working with GIS, statistical computing software (R), databases, and in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Access.
•Clear communication and public speaking skills.
•Familiarity with State and Federal Water Quality Standards and protection programs.
•Experience writing technical reports, Standard Operating Procedures and Quality Assurance Project Plans.
•Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills.

Travel
15%

Minimum Qualifications Reassignment - Currently in the title and an employee of DEC
or
Reinstatement Eligible - Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis or held a title as indicated under the transfer eligible section on a permanent competitive basis.
Or
Transfer Eligible: One year of permanent competitive service at Salary Grade 21 or higher and:
Eligible for transfer under Section 70.1: One year of permanent competitive service as a Climate Policy Analyst 2, Environmental Analyst 2, Environmental Radiation Specialist 2, Environmental Specialist 2, Forester 2, Public Participation Specialist 2, Public Participation Specialist 3, Sanitary Construction Inspector 3

Additional Comments Must have a valid driver’s license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.
Travel may be required.
Telecommuting may be available, will be discussed at interview.

We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Shift & Geographic pay differentials
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
• And many more...

For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. DEC is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. DEC embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Contact Information

Name Natalie Joseph

Telephone 518-402-9273

Fax 518-402-9038

Email Address PostingResponses@dec.ny.gov

Address

Street 625 Broadway

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12233

 

Notes on ApplyingPlease email/mail your resume to the above. Be sure to include Vacancy #25-181519 on your resume and in the subject line of your email or it may not be accepted.