Environmental Health & Safety Specialist - City of New York : Job Details

Job Description

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.

New York City has approximately 140,000 catch basins, 114,000 hydrants, 90,000 valves, 14 gatehouses, 3 reservoirs, 68 groundwater wells, a 100 million gallon underground storage tank and 7,000 miles each of both sanitary sewers and water mains. The responsibility of maintaining these vast networks falls under the Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations (BWSO).

The primary responsibilities of the Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations are: the operation, maintenance and protection of the City's drinking water and wastewater collection (sewer) systems; the protection of adjacent waterways; and the development and protection of the Department's Capital Water and Sewer Design Program. The Bureau also approves and inspects water and sewer connections performed by licensed plumbers and/or authorized contractors. In addition, the Bureau has overall responsibility for the approval and inspection of all public and private construction projects which could impact on the City's water or sewer systems.

The Bureau is also responsible for the operation of the Staten Island Bluebelt. This is an ecologically sound, cost effective natural alternative to storm sewers, which occupies approximately 15 square miles of land in the South Richmond area of Staten Island. This project preserves streams, ponds and other wetland ( bluebelt ) areas, allowing them to perform their natural function of conveying, storing and filtering storm water. These areas also provide important community open spaces and a diverse wildlife habitat.

The Bureau of Water & Sewer Operations is looking to hire a City Research Scientist in it's Environmental Health & Safety division. The City Research Scientist is responsible for assisting the Bureau of Water & Sewer Operations' Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Division in the development, maintenance, and improvement of effective and comprehensive environmental, health and safety initiatives. The EHS division strives to ensure long term environmental health and safety compliance and fully integrate the understanding of effective EHS policies and practices at all levels of the organization. Assignments will include identifying worker and environmental risks by performing EHS inspections, assessments and audits, conducting research, and educating personnel on safe work practices. Activities will include a mix of office and field work at various locations throughout the City of New York.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

- Recognize hazards and determine if they pose a risk to workers and/or the environment.

- Perform EHS assessments and inspections covering the implementation of worker safety and environmental programs in Bureau facilities and field sites.

- Implement corrective actions associated with safety and environmental assessments, inspections, incidents, and regulatory deficiencies.

- Perform field work at the various locations across the City of New York; interacts with field personnel, intra-agency personnel, and regulatory agencies.

- Maintain various environmental health and safety records; research and review Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Public Employee Safety and Health (PESH), NYS

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and other regulations and Agency EHS policies.

- Participate in the research and development of EHS policies and training programs.

- Develop and conduct training on Agency, Federal, State, and local government EHS regulations.

- Identify training needs based on assessments and inspections.

- Perform research and analysis on various EHS programs.

- Manage and update existing systems to support research, data analysis, and regulatory compliance.

- Assists with management of regulated wastes (e.g., waste characterization, coordinating hazardous shipments, and emergency environmental release response).

- Prepare and submit accurate reports and figures.

- Supervise staff as necessary.

**A valid New York State Motor Vehicle Driver License is required. This license must be maintained for the duration of employment. **

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.

Additional Information

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.