Research Scientist 5 (Water Pollution)

35% - Direct the Bureau of Water Assessment and Management

1. Provide leadership and supervision to the Bureau of Water Assessment and Management. Assure that programs and strategies are planned and implemented in consultation with staff, other bureaus, the regions, legal, and others to effectively deliver Bureau objectives. Continuously monitor the work of the Bureau to ensure that the goals and time constraints of the Division work plan are being met. Address deficiencies with Bureau staff and amend the work plan as necessary. Assure that Department and Division policies and guidance are being effectively implemented to ensure optimum utilization of Bureau resources.

2. Prepare Bureau staff performance programs, assure schedules for specific projects are met, evaluate and recommend appropriate ratings, and assure that the Bureaus goals, which are part of the Division work plan are met. Assure that personnel are empowered to resolve issues, work together to further the Department’s mission, and deliver timely and quality work outputs.

3. Manage fiscal resources allocated to the Bureau. Provide direction and support for development of program spending plans. Work with federal counterparts to ensure Bureau commitments are reasonable, achievable, and meet federal/state priorities.

4. Assure key measures are established and tracked and the DOW management team is advised if adjustments are needed. Program goals and federal grant commitments are met and unplanned priorities are effectively managed.

20% - Manage the Research Activities of the Bureau of Water Assessment and Management

1. Assure appropriate communication, coordination, and outreach to accomplish Bureau and Division goals and objectives. A team approach is taken with other Research Scientists, Environmental Program Specialists, and Bureau Directors, and this team approach is promoted within the Bureau. The management team and others as appropriate are made aware of emerging issues relative to programs and staff and the regions are informed and involved in issues. Where issues arise, thought out recommendations are made, and issues are addressed expeditiously.

2. Determine the most appropriate areas of research in relation to agency program needs and the current state of science.

3. Direct the development of research plans to broaden the understanding of problems facing the Bureau, Division, Department, and the State of New York. Formulate research plans, interpret results, and apply the knowledge toward the basis of policy and administrative action.

4. Specifically Manage:

a. Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Research. Through a combination of collaborative research efforts and targeted funding initiatives, manage New York State’s efforts to not only investigate HABs, but also minimize their environmental and public health impacts. Research should include the underlying causes and triggers for HABs, at a statewide, regional, and waterbody scale, as well as changes in trends in the frequency, duration, and extent of HABs. Implement and track the status of the DEC HABs Roadmap action items, particularly the research elements identified as short and long-term deliverables. Implement and revise the DOW HABs Research Agenda and HABs Research Grant, as appropriate, to align with the Division’s priorities and current state of science. Continue existing efforts to protect public health through adequate monitoring, education and outreach.

b. Saline Waterbody Reclassification. Lead the ongoing research effort, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, to identify existing uses of saline waterbodies, evaluate and model projected water quality attainment compared to promulgated standards, and develop an appropriate approach to protect those existing uses, either through the direct upgrade of a waterbody class or the application of a limited use designation, use attainability analysis, and/or a water quality standard variance.

c. Numeric Nutrient Criteria Development and Implementation. Lead the ongoing research effort to develop specific numeric nutrient (phosphorus and nitrogen) criteria for several types of waterbodies and their uses, where appropriate. Formulate and conduct a systematic research approach and unique solutions for the practical application of these criteria that balances the environmental benefits of reducing nutrient loading and the economic impacts that will occur to do so.

d. Contaminants of Emerging Concern. Formulate and carry out a research plan to determine the agency’s approach to regulation of new and emerging contaminants in New York’s waters. The pace of industry development of new compounds far exceeds the timeframe to implement traditional regulatory tools; a systematic research approach is needed to explore this agency priority problem and threat to public health.

10% - Oversee Statewide Water Quality Monitoring

Direct the monitoring of water quality by overseeing the collection of physical, chemical, and biological samples from surface and groundwaters across the state each year through various professional, volunteer, and contract monitoring programs. Assure the analysis of water, sediment, and organism samples provides the data necessary to assess current water quality conditions and trends and to identify problems and issues that require action. Assure appropriate water quality assessment information is used by the Department, other agencies and the public to guide water quality management decisions.

10% - Supervise the Development of Water Quality Standards

Direct and manage the scientific development of water quality standards and guidance values through state-of-the-art risk assessment methods to establish specific limits for chemicals or physical conditions that a waterbody can absorb without impacting the ability to use the water for its designated uses. Supervise the classification of freshwater, groundwater, and saline waterbodies according to one or more of the following uses: source of drinking water, swimming, boating, fishing, and shellfishing. Supervise the Division of Water’s Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards, adoption of new water quality standards and reclassification actions in accordance with state rulemaking procedures, and outreach and education to increase public understanding of program efforts.

10% - Oversee Assessment and Reporting of Water Quality Conditions and Trends
Assure the Division of Water maintains and regularly updates an inventory of water quality statewide, and reports to the public and federal partners on the conditions of the state’s waters. Supervise the development of the assessment and listing methodology, biennial data solicitation, and communication tools, including factsheets and webpages. Supervise the development and publication of the Integrated Report, including the List of Impaired Waters that represents the waterbodies for which a plan to restore the water’s uses must be developed.

5% - Manage Fiscal Resources and Grant Procurement

The Bureau Director will direct efforts to manage the fiscal resources of the Bureau and federal and state grant funding that is made available for competitive water quality improvement projects, planning activities, or research opportunities procured through the Division of Water so that the funding addresses the most significant, high priority water quality issues in New York. Funding is to be made available for activities associated with wastewater treatment improvement, nonpoint source abatement and control, aquatic habitat restoration, stormwater management, water quality management planning, and HAB research.

5% - USGS Water Sciences Center Laboratory

The Bureau Director will jointly oversee the collaborative partnership with the USGS Water Sciences Center Laboratory to collect, analyze and disseminate data and research information. This includes the management of technical components of the USGS/DEC contract and annual surface water and groundwater research work plans.

5% - Oversee Public Involvement and Outreach

1. Reporting research results to peers and the public is a critical component of any scientific endeavor. The DOW works with numerous partner agencies and local stakeholders on water quality and quantity issues. Collaboration with federal, state, regional, and local entities creates a shared vision and commitment to deliver stronger and more effective programs for water protection. This is accomplished in many ways, including short-term and long-term advisory committees. The Bureau Director will manage such targeted outreach used to report on research and development efforts, increase awareness about water issues, increase compliance with water regulations, and/or encourage action.

2. The Bureau Director will represent the Department and the Division of Water on regional and interstate associations.

Minimum qualifications include a master’s degree and six years of professional research experience in a field relevant to water pollution control including Environmental, Public Health, or Natural Sciences; A Ph.D. in a field relevant to water pollution control including Environmental, Public Health, or Natural Sciences may substitute for one year of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the minimum qualifications and illustrative duties described above, the following qualifications are preferred but not required.

1. Strong public speaking and presentation skills and demonstrated ability to address controversial topics in a public setting.

2. Experience directing and supervising small teams of professionals, with various technical and research backgrounds, working on water pollution control activities.

3. Experience with State and Federal water quality standards and the development and implementation of water quality standards and guidance values.

4. Experience in, and understanding of, analytical chemistry in water pollution and the measurement of water quality.

5. Experience in implementing quality assurance protocols, state and federal requirements for data collection, and their use in a regulatory context.

6. Experience with establishing and maintaining partnerships with Federal, State, and local agencies and nonprofit organizations.

7. Experience developing complex project and program budgets, and familiarity with State and Federal funding sources and the development of grant applications.

8. Experience with field data collection methods.

9. Experience working in, and/or with, analytical laboratories.

10. Experience with developing automated processes using various statistical and computing tools.