Location: Albany,NY, USA
Candidates for this position must have a Bachelor's Degree in environmental sciences, environmental policy, environmental management, environmental biology, biology, environmental chemistry, or a related field, and five 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. 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, pollution source sectors, and other emerging environmental issues. Development of clean water plans, watershed program implementation, coordination with local, state and federal partners is fundamental to restoring and protecting New York's water resources. The Watershed Research, Implementation and Planning Section (WRIPS) provides research and policy development on emerging issues that impact NY's watershed programs, TMDL program, Nine Element Plans, and compliance with Clean Water Act 303d and 604b requirements, including, climate change, emerging contaminants, HABs, numeric nutrient criteria and environmental justice and disadvantaged community policies. Duties/Responsibilities The Research Scientist 4 will be responsible for developing research plans and conducting research projects to support the incorporation of new regulations, initiatives, and policies, including but limited to climate change, emerging contaminants, environmental justice, and water quality standards into clean water planning and watershed programs; specifically, Mohawk River Basin Program, Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program, Allegany Watershed, and Lake Champlain. This work will include, determining the method of analysis, performing the necessary research, evaluating, and interpreting results, and preparing reports, policies, guidance or publications. It is expected that the candidate will coordinate their research and integrate their recommendations with other DOW and DEC program research areas. This research and technical information will inform strategies, technical guidance and recommendations to DOW management and DEC executive. Additionally, the Research Scientist 4 will direct and oversee lower-level staff to perform similar analysis and documentation. The Research Scientist 4, based on their research, is expected to provide significant contributions to the understanding and furtherance of watershed-based plans, climate modeling, best management practice reduction and efficiencies, phosphorus offset programs, management of NY's TMDL program, and focused research within watershed programs. The Research Scientist 4 will be responsible for providing technical and training support to other professional staff and contributing to the DOW research program. Additionally, the Research Scientist 4 will be responsible for developing work plans, managing contracts and ensuring deliverables are met various federal grants and oversight of state contracts. The successful candidate will fulfill the following: 40%: Applied Research and Data Analysis 1) Identify and define research opportunities associated with TMDL and clean water plan development, including, but limited to statewide nutrient TMDLs, concentration-based TMDLs, metrics to evaluate clean water plan implementation, monitoring programs to support TMDL development, modeling approaches, best management practices, translation of TMDL requirements into individual and general permits, climate change, and other Agency or Division needs. 2) Identify and define issues and research opportunities within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program, Lake Champlain Watershed Program, Mohawk River Basin Program and Allegany Watershed to address cross-cutting issues of concern related to HABS, climate change, nutrient reductions and other concerns. Coordinate research projects with other watershed programs. 3) Research and develop guidance for a practical science-based decision matrix to establish phosphorus off set programs in permit requirements and clean water planning documents. 4) Collect, analyze, interpret, report and present data analytical results relevant to support TMDL modeling tools, TMDL development and progress tracking, other clean water plans, and section programs. This may require the development of monitoring plans, surveys or other methods to collect relevant data. 5) Supervise and coordinate research by lower-level scientists and technical staff. 6) Supervise and conduct literature reviews to ensure DEC programs are managed according to best science and policy. 7) Develop reports, publications, technical guidance documents and training materials of research findings. 8) Identify and manage research projects funded through the various watershed programs. Supervise development of research workplans. Coordinate with other DOW bureaus, DEC programs, other state agencies and federal agencies on research related projects and initiatives. 60%: Program Coordination and Support 1) Supervise section staff; ensure DEC and DOW administrative policies and procedures are followed. Establish Section annual workplans and progress reporting. (20%) 2) Represent the Department at professional meetings and coordinate with local, state, and federal partners to exchange information, expand the understanding of the Department's watershed programs, clean water plan development, Vision approach to implementing the 303d TMDL program and other WRIS programs. (5%) 3) Collaborate with other DOW bureaus and DEC programs to integrate numeric nutrient criteria, HABs, emerging contaminants, climate change, environmental justice and disadvantaged communities into the 303d TMDL program, watershed programs and other WRIS programs. (5%) 4) Supervise the implementation of the Mohawk River Basin, Lake Champlain, Chesapeake Bay and Allegany watershed programs. Including coordination with other DOW programs, DEC programs, state and federal agencies, fulfilling reporting requirements, fiscal planning and management, program development and identification of areas of research. (15%) 5) Supervise implementation of the 303d TMDL, Vision approach to implementing the 303d TMDL, Nine Element Plan programs, and other WRIS programs. Including, coordination with EPA and other DOW and DEC program areas, and regional staff. (15%) Preferred Additional Qualifications: •Excellent interpersonal, strong writing and verbal communication skills. •Considerable knowledge of NYS and federal regulations as they relate to water quality, impaired waters, water quality standards, impacts to waterbody uses and TMDL program. •Considerable experience designing monitoring studies, QAPP development, data analysis, setting-up and executing in-waterbody and watershed models. •Experience developing TMDL documents, establishing water quality targets, wasteload and load allocations, and load reductions. •Proficiency working with statistical computing software (R), databases, and in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Access. •Experience with collecting, analyzing, and interpreting chemical, biochemical, ecological, biological, and geospatial data within the context of water quality. •Familiarity with federal CWA water quality programs and requirements. •Familiarity with clean water planning and nonpoint source programs and implementation. •Familiarity with NY watershed programs. 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. DEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity. Name Natalie Joseph Telephone 518-###-#### Fax 518-###-#### Email Address ...@dec.ny.gov Address Street 625 Broadway City Albany State NY Zip Code 12233 Notes on Applying Please include Vacancy # 24-175294 on your resume or it may not be accepted. Include a copy of your college transcript. Unofficial copy is acceptable.