Research Scientist 1 (Water Pollution)

The duties that the incumbent of the vacancy will be expected to perform. Duties Description Program Overview

The Monitoring and Assessment Section (MAS) of the Bureau of Water Assessment and Management (BWAM) is responsible for monitoring, assessing, and researching streams, lakes, and groundwater of New York State (NYS). Under several statewide programs, including both professional and citizen-based programs, MAS implements targeted-, probability-, and trend-based sampling designs for monitoring the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of NYS waters, and conducts applied research to advance understanding and protection of these resources.

Duties/Responsibilities

The Research Scientist 1, BWAM, will support MAS programs through applied research efforts to develop water quality monitoring and assessment tools and the collection, analysis, and interpretation of water quality data from lakes across NYS. The candidate will be responsible for assisting with the implementation of the Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP), NYS’s citizen science lake water quality monitoring program, Water Assessments by Volunteer Evaluators (WAVE), NYS’s citizen science stream water quality monitoring program, and the Lake Classification and Inventory (LCI) Program, NYS’s internal statewide lake water quality monitoring program. The candidate will also be responsible for providing general support to MAS and BWAM programs and priorities.

Under the technical and administrative supervision of the supervisor and section chief, the successful candidate will be responsible for:

Applied Research and Data Analysis (50%)

• Conducting research, literature review, data collection and analysis, and interpretation of water quality data across New York State to enable community level as well as state level water quality management efforts. Assisting with study design and research to develop tools for physical, chemical, and biological assessment in surface waters by volunteer and professional staff. Understanding and communicating emerging issues in water quality, such as emerging contaminants and harmful algal blooms (HABs).
• Assisting with research of water quality and access in potential environmental justice areas and disadvantaged communities.
• Assisting with routine statewide lake trends and reporting to understand long-term management effectiveness.
• With other scientists, developing peer-reviewed literature or other means of publication by summarizing findings from the MAS programs, special studies, and existing data sources. Presenting findings at professional conferences and to peers, supervisors, higher level staff, and to the public.

Programmatic Support (50%)

• Assisting with the implementation and coordination of CSLAP, including but not limited to conducting training and quality assurance of volunteer sampling activities, data management and reporting, and interacting with program collaborators, volunteers, lake associations, and other stakeholders.
• Assisting with the coordination of WAVE, including but not limited to recruiting community participation, supporting data interpretation for community groups, and sample processing, analysis and reporting.
• Developing and maintaining online reporting tools to communicate water quality data for a broad range of users.
• Assisting with activities of the LCI Program including, conducting of limnological sampling of lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, including collection of water quality samples, biological monitoring, and recording of observational environmental data.
• Supporting the HAB program and New York Harmful Algal Bloom System (NYHABS) through evaluation of HAB reports, responding to public inquiries, and contributing to research.
• Creating, maintaining, and updating quality assurance documents related to water quality monitoring, assessment, and data management.
• Participating in field preparation and sampling to support applied research and monitoring efforts of MAS.

Preferred Additional Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills; comfortable with public speaking.
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail.
• Experience with study design, collecting, analyzing, and interpreting chemical, physical, and biological environmental data.
• Understanding of State and Federal regulations and water quality standards.
• Knowledge of limnology, aquatic ecology, or water resource management.
• Knowledge of environmental contaminants, including but not limited to emerging contaminants and harmful algal blooms (HABs), and their behavior in the environment.
• Experience developing instruction manuals, standard operating procedures, and quality assurance plans.
• Experience with data analysis (R – statistical computing environment), GIS, SQL, Git, and database management.
• Experience operating and trailering watercraft.

Additional Comments

Must have a valid driver license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position. Travel, primarily throughout New York State, but occasionally out of state and overnight travel will be required. Ability to carry 30 pounds of gear for short distances across uneven terrain.

The minimum qualifications required for this vacancy. Minimum Qualifications Minimum Qualifications:

Candidates for this position must have a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental sciences, environmental policy, environmental management, environmental biology, biology, environmental chemistry, limnology, or a related natural resources field, and two years of professional research experience in the appropriate field.

Substitution options: A Master’s Degree in an appropriate field described above may substitute for one year of experience, and Ph.D. in an appropriate field described above may substitute for an additional year of experience.

Additional comments regarding the vacancy. 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.

Must be able to lift and move objects up to 30 pounds.

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.

DEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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

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