Position Information

NY HELPNo

AgencyEnvironmental Conservation, Department of

TitleResearch Scientist 1 (Water Pollution)

Occupational CategoryI.T. Engineering, Sciences

Salary Grade18

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

Salary RangeFrom $66951 to $85138 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Non-competitive Class

Travel Percentage 10%

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 Program Overview The Division of Water (DOW) Bureau of Water Resource Management (BWRM) works to protect, manage, and conserve New York State's groundwater and surface water supply sources, develop management strategies to enhance and protect these waters, and protect both the groundwater and surface water quality of New York’s major watersheds. BWRM’s watershed programs, permit programs and nonpoint source program support development of clean water plans and permits to help improve water quality, identify potential funding, and conduct research to protect and restore water quality in relation to climate change, source sectors, and other emerging environmental issues.

The Data Science Section provides research, data analysis, data interpretation, data visualization, data collection and management support and overall data science needs for Division of Water research projects and programs.

Duties/Responsibilities

The Research Scientist 1 will support completion of research projects, including planning, data analysis, interpretation, and preparation of reports, papers, and publications to support research objectives for DOW programs, including permitting, resiliency, monitoring, watershed planning, and water quantity. The candidate is expected to analyze water quality, environmental and facility data, contribute to data visualization tools, develop program efficiency and effectiveness tools, and interpret data to support DOW research projects and programs. This requires familiarity with pollution sources, data analysis tools, statistical methods, and technology tools to visualize and evaluate water quality, environmental and facility data.

Under the technical and administrative supervision of higher-level Research Scientists and professional staff, the successful candidate will assist with DOW research projects, including tasks such as data collection, literature review, analyzing and interpreting results, producing technical reports, and to support development of data tools, provide modeling support, and supporting other professional staff.

Applied Research and Data Analysis (60%)

•Assist with research in all phases of the process including problem definition, planning,execution, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of findings to support DOW research projects.
•Compile and analyze water quality, environmental, facility data and other technical information.
•Provide support to ensure that data sources that are compiled for DOW research projects meet quality assurance standards, including developing effective and efficient methods to standardize and transform data.
•Assist with review and assessment of analytical and technology tools to support visualization and evaluation of DOW program data.
•Conduct statistical analysis and develop data models on environmental and technical information to advise senior research staff on the interpretation of results.
•Provide technical support and maintain effective working relationships with non-Departmental experts and the pubic and participate in the Division of Water’s research-related work groups.
•Conduct literature reviews and advise senior research staff on the interpretation of the results and findings for the development of research plans, public outreach materials, and permitting guidance and tools.
•Communicate results of research and development of permitting guidance and tools through issued reports, peer-reviewed journals, conferences, public meetings, and website postings.

Program Coordination and Support (40%)

•Assist with implementation of the DOW programs, including permitting, compliance, watershed programs, watershed planning, fiscal management, resiliency programs and water quantity.
•Provide thorough and timely review and accurate processing of data submitted through DOW applications, requests for information, and monitoring reports. Ensure publicly available data are consistent with state and federal regulations.
•Assist with work plan development, management and reporting for awarded contracts, work plans,and implementation projects to support DOW research projects and programs.
•Participate in the Division of Water or DEC’s related committees and work groups.
•Provide technical assistance to professional staff.
•Represent the Department at professional meetings and coordinate with local, state, and federal partners to exchange information, expand the understanding of the Department’s programs as it relates to DOW programs, including permitting and resiliency data.
•Supervise lower-level staff including seasonal positions and interns. Supervision includes 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.

Additional Comments:

Must have a valid driver’s 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 some overnight travel will be required.

Minimum Qualifications Candidates for this position must have a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, environmental policy, environmental management, environmental data science, environmental biology, biology, environmental chemistry, or a related natural resources field, and two years of professional research experience in an appropriate field.

Substitutions: master’s degree in an appropriate field may substitute for one year of experience, and Ph.D. in an appropriate field may substitute for an additional year of experience.

Preferred Additional Qualifications:

•Excellent interpersonal skills, strong writing and verbal communication skills; comfortable with public speaking.

•Experience with data management, analysis, reporting, prioritizing, quality control, and quality assurance.

•Ability to evaluate and manage large datasets and competence in statistical and geospatial analysis of environmental datasets.

•Experience with collecting, analyzing, and interpreting chemical, biochemical, ecological,biological, technical information and geospatial data within the context of water quality.

•Proficiency working with GIS, statistical computing software (R, python), databases, and in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Access.

•Experience implementing statistical methods and analysis tools and interpreting the results.

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.
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.

Please be advised, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation does not use E-Verify, and we are unable to provide sponsorship for employment visa statuses (i.e. H-1B, Self-Sponsorship, STEM OPT).

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

How to Apply

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 or mail your resume to the above address. Be sure to include Vacancy #25-204822 on your resume and application or it may not be accepted.