Company Description

Job Description

The Office of Building Water Systems Oversight (BWSO) promotes water safety by overseeing mechanical and plumbing systems such as cooling towers, nonportable water reuse, drinking water storage, and potable water distribution in buildings. Our primary focus is the prevention, risk management, and control of waterborne illnesses, especially Legionnaires' disease, in partnership with the Bureau of Disease Control, Public Health Laboratory, and state, federal, and local agencies.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
-Lead and supervise a team of 50+ scientists, engineers, and analysts to manage day to day operations including program management and resource allocation for BWSO.
-Guide strategic direction of research on advancements in waterborne disease prevention to align with industry standards and best practices to improve on routine and emergency operations.
-Oversee compliance with NYC regulations, manage the development and revision of rules, and analyze new legislation for its impact on BWSO.
-Approve research plans, protocols, SOPs, and training materials for inspecting cooling towers, drinking water tanks and building plumbing systems.
-Handle administrative tasks such as budget tracking, grants, invoicing, and contractor procurement. Represent the agency in meetings, public forums, and intra- and inter-agency collaborations including our Bureau of Disease Control, Public Health Laboratory, New York State Department of Health and CDC.
-Oversee BWSO's data management and reporting, including annual and fiscal year performance metrics, data sharing and publications, and progress reporting including compliance with regulatory mandates.
-Implement Agency initiatives in recruitment, staff evaluation, workplace wellness, and equity efforts, while supporting racial equity initiatives.
-Participate in emergency preparedness and response activities for public health crises.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
-Strong knowledge of science and engineering related to drinking water, plumbing, mechanical systems, environmental science, and public health.
-Familiarity with Federal, State, and Local regulations, with skills in legislative analysis and policy development.
-Experience in planning, implementing, and evaluating projects and programs.
-Ability to develop and manage programs in environmental education, data analysis, policy, and organizational evaluation.
-Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience creating materials for both professional and general audiences.
-Capable of planning and managing scientific research in environmental health.
-Flexible and eager to work in a dynamic environment, including emergency response situations.

Why you should work for us:

-Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/)
-Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
oa premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
oadditional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position's associated union/benefit fund.
oa public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
oa tax-deferred savings program and
oa robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
-Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
-Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

Commitment to Equity:

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.

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at sahn1@health.nyc.gov or 347-396-6549.

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

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.