Review Vacancy
AgencyEnvironmental Conservation, Department of
TitleResearch Scientist 5 (Water Pollution)
Occupational CategoryI.T. Engineering, Sciences
Bargaining UnitM/C - Management / Confidential (Unrepresented)
Salary RangeFrom $116686 to $147256 Annually
Appointment Type Contingent Permanent
Minimum Qualifications Minimum qualifications include a master’s degree and six years of professional research experience in a field relevant to water pollution control including Environmental, Public Health, or Natural Sciences; A Ph.D. in a field relevant to water pollution control including Environmental, Public Health, or Natural Sciences may substitute for one year of experience.
Duties Description Illustrative Duties
Direct the Bureau of Water Assessment and Management
1. Provide leadership and supervision to the Bureau of Water Assessment and Management. Assure that programs and strategies are planned and implemented in consultation with staff, other bureaus, the regions, legal and others to effectively deliver bureau objectives. Continuously monitor the work of the Bureau to ensure that the goals and time constraints of the Division work plan are being met. Address deficiencies with Bureau staff and amend the work plan as necessary. Assure that Department and Division policies and guidance are being effectively implemented to ensure optimum utilization of Bureau resources.
2. Prepare Bureau staff performance programs, assure schedules for specific projects are met, evaluate and recommend appropriate ratings, assure that the Bureaus goals, which are part of the Division work plan are met. Assure that personnel are empowered to resolve issues, work together to further the Department’s mission and deliver timely and quality work outputs.
3. Manage fiscal resources allocated to the Bureau. Provides direction and support for development of program spending plans. Assure that plans balance Central Office program needs with Regional Office priorities and are developed in collaboration with the Division’s management team. Works with federal counterparts (EPA/ACOE/FEMA, etc.) to ensure Division commitments are reasonable, achievable, and meet federal/state priorities.
4. Assure key measures are established and tracked and the DOW management team is advised if adjustments are needed. Program goals and federal grant commitments are met and unplanned priorities are effectively managed.
Manage the General Applied Research Activities of the Bureau of Water Assessment and Management
1. Assure appropriate communication, coordination and outreach to accomplish Bureau and Division goals and objectives. A team approach is taken with other Research Scientists, Bureau Directors and this team approach is promoted within the Bureau. The management team and others as appropriate are made aware of emerging issues relative to programs and staff and the regions are informed and involved in issues, as well thought out recommendations are made, and issues are addressed expeditiously.
2. Determine the most appropriate areas of research in relation to agency program needs and the current state of science.
3. Direct the development of research plans to broaden the understanding of problems facing the Bureau, Division, Department and the State of New York. Formulate research plans, interpret results, and apply the knowledge toward the basis of policy and administrative action.
4. Specifically manage Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Research. Through a combination of collaborative research efforts and targeted funding initiatives, manage New York State’s efforts to not only investigate HABs as a public health concern, but also begin the process of eliminating this growing toxic threat to our waters. Since much about HABs remains unknown, manage a research effort on this exceptionally difficult problem by investigating the causes and triggers of HABs. Also determine why HABs are increasing in quantity and expanding locations. Develop strategies to prevent public health risks by researching and developing methods to prevent and treat this emerging contaminant. Continue existing efforts to protect public health through adequate monitoring, education and outreach.
5. Numeric Nutrient Criteria Development and Implementation. Lead the research effort to develop specific numeric nutrient (phosphorus and nitrogen) criteria for several types of waterbodies and their uses. Formulate and conduct a systematic research attack on this complex problem and the ultimate unique solutions for the application of these criteria that balances the environmental benefits of removing these pollutants from the state’s waters and the economic impacts that will occur.
6. Contaminants of Emerging Concern. Formulate and carry out a complete research plan to determine the agency’s approach to regulation of new and emerging contaminants in New York’s waters. The pace of industry development of new compounds far exceeds the timeframe to implement traditional regulatory tools; a systematic research approach is needed to explore this agency priority problem and threat to public health.
Oversee Statewide Water Quality Monitoring and Research
Direct the monitoring of water quality and applied water quality research by overseeing the collection of physical, chemical, and biological samples from surface and groundwaters across the state each year. Assure the analysis of water, sediment, and organism samples provides the data necessary to assess current water quality conditions and trends and to identify problems and issues that require action. Assure appropriate water quality assessment information is used by the Department, other agencies and the public to guide water quality management decisions. Report novel findings through publication of applied research papers.
Supervise the Research and Development of Water Quality Standards
Direct and manage the scientific research and development of water quality standards through state-of-the-art risk assessment methods to establish specific limits for chemicals or physical conditions that a waterbody can absorb without impacting the ability to use the water for its designated uses. Waterbodies are officially classified according to one or more of the following uses: source of drinking water, swimming, boating, fishing, and shellfishing. The classification process considers flow, existing water quality and past, present and desired future uses of the water and adjacent land. Standards are then set for chemical, physical and biological factors to ensure the water quality necessary for waterbodies to maintain the classified best uses.
Oversee Assessment and Reporting of Water Quality Conditions and Trends
Assure the Division of Water maintains and regularly updates an inventory of water quality statewide, and reports to the public on the conditions of the state’s waters. Supervise the Maintenance of the List of Impaired Waters that represents the waterbodies for which a plan to restore the water’s uses must be developed.
Manage Fiscal Resources and Grant Procurement
The Bureau Director will direct efforts to manage the fiscal resources of the Division and federal and state grant funding that is made available for water quality improvement projects and/or planning activities procured through the Division of Water so that the funding addresses the most significant, high priority water quality issues in New York. Funding is available for activities associated with wastewater treatment improvement, nonpoint source abatement and control, aquatic habitat restoration, and stormwater management.
USGS Water Sciences Center Laboratory
The Bureau Director will oversee the collaborative partnership with the USGS Water Sciences Center Laboratory to collect, analyze and disseminate data and research information. This includes the management of technical components of the USGS/DEC contract and annual research work plan.
Oversee Public Involvement and Outreach
1. Reporting research results to peers and the public is a critical component of any scientific endeavor. The DOW works with numerous partner agencies and local stakeholders on water quality and quantity issues. Collaboration with federal, state, regional and local entities creates a shared vision and commitment to deliver stronger and more effective programs for water protection. This is accomplished many ways, including short-term and long-term advisory committees. The Bureau Director will manage such targeted outreach used to report on research and development efforts, increase awareness about water issues, increase compliance with water regulations and/or encourage action.
2. The Bureau Director will represent the Department and the Division of Water on regional and interstate associations such as the NY-NJ Harbor Estuary Program and the Hudson River Estuary Program.
Preferred Qualifications
In addition to the minimum qualifications and illustrative duties described above, the following qualifications are preferred but not required.
1. Strong public speaking and presentation skills and demonstrated ability to address controversial topics in a public setting.
2. Experience directing and supervising small teams of professionals, with various technical and research backgrounds, working on water pollution control activities.
3. Experience with State and Federal water quality standards and the development and implementation of water quality standards and guidance values.
4. Experience in, and understanding of, analytical chemistry in water pollution and the measurement of water quality.
5. Experience in implementing quality assurance protocols, state and federal requirements for data collection, and their use in a regulatory context.
6. Experience with establishing and maintaining partnerships with Federal, State, and local agencies and nonprofit organizations.
7. Experience developing complex project and program budgets, and familiarity with State and Federal funding sources and the development of grant applications.
8. Experience with field data collection methods.
9. Experience working in, and/or with, analytical laboratories.
10. Experience with developing automated processes using various statistical and computing tools.
Specialty
Water Pollution
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. Overtime may be required. Overnight travel may be required.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.