Section Chief - EH&S Training & Administration - New York City, NY : Job Details

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 Associate Publich Health Sanitarian III 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 educating personnel on safe work practices, identifying worker and environmental risks by performing EHS inspections, assessments and audits, conducting research, and overseeing the adminstrative functions of the Division. Activities will include a mix of office and field work at various locations throughout the City of New York.

Duties Include:

* Manage EHS training staff and coordinates the research and development of EHS training programs.

* Manage staff performing procurement, budget, and other general office functions.

* Manage staff developing written EHS communications and other general administrative functions.

* Serve as the EHS Training Coordinator for the Bureau.

* Recognize and educate personnel on existing and potential hazards to workers and/or the environment.

* 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.

* Oversee the development of new tools/mechanisms for improving program compliance and achieving continuous quality improvement.

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

* 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.

* Prepare and submit accurate reports and figures.

* ONLY CANDIDATES WHO ARE PERMANENT IN THE TITLE OF ASSOCIATE PUBLIC HEALTH SANITARIAN WILL BE CONSIDERED*

THE CIVIL SERVICE TITLE FOR THIS POSITION IS ASSOCIATE PUBLIC HEALTH SANITARIAN III

Minimum Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, including or supplemented by 30 semester credits in the physical and/or biological sciences, i.e., biology, botany, chemistry, geology, physics, physiology, and zoology; of which not more than 12 credit hours may be in the applied sciences, i.e., environmental technology, sanitation technology, medical technology, public health, infection control or food service; and at least two years of satisfactory full-time experience performing inspections to assure compliance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations governing the areas of food, drugs and general environmental conditions; or

2. An associate degree from an accredited college, with 15 semester credits in the physical and/or biological sciences, of which not more than 6 credit hours may be in the applied sciences, and 4 years of satisfactory full-time experience as described in 1 above; or

3. Education and/or experience equivalent to 1 or 2 above. However, all candidates must have at least 60 semester credits from an accredited college, including at least 15 semester credits in the physical and and/or biological sciences. Furthermore, to assure compliance with Section 11.112 of the Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR) - Title 10 (Health), all candidates must have at least 2 years of experience as a public health sanitarian as described in 1 above.

4. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, including or supplemented by 30 semester credits in the physical and/or biological sciences, i.e., biology, botany, chemistry, geology, physics, physiology, and zoology; of which not more than 12 credit hours may be in the applied sciences, i.e., environmental technology, sanitation technology, medical technology, public health, infection control or food service; and at least two years of satisfactory full-time experience performing inspections to assure compliance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations governing the areas of food, drugs and general environmental conditions; or

5. An associate degree from an accredited college, with 15 semester credits in the physical and/or biological sciences, of which not more than 6 credit hours may be in the applied sciences, and 4 years of satisfactory full-time experience as described in 1 above; or

6. Education and/or experience equivalent to 1 or 2 above. However, all candidates must have at least 60 semester credits from an accredited college, including at least 15 semester credits in the physical and and/or biological sciences. Furthermore, to assure compliance with Section 11.112 of the Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR) - Title 10 (Health), all candidates must have at least 2 years of experience as a public health sanitarian as described in 1 above.

7. In order to be eligible for promotion to a supervisory level, candidates must have 2 years of experience as a public health sanitarian, pursuant to Section 11.112 of the Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR) - Title 10 (Health).

8. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, including or supplemented by 30 semester credits in the physical and/or biological sciences, i.e., biology, botany, chemistry, geology, physics, physiology, and zoology; of which not more than 12 credit hours may be in the applied sciences, i.e., environmental technology, sanitation technology, medical technology, public health, infection control or food service; and at least two years of satisfactory full-time experience performing inspections to assure compliance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations governing the areas of food, drugs and general environmental conditions; or

9. An associate degree from an accredited college, with 15 semester credits in the physical and/or biological sciences, of which not more than 6 credit hours may be in the applied sciences, and 4 years of satisfactory full-time experience as described in 1 above; or

10. Education and/or experience equivalent to 1 or 2 above. However, all candidates must have at least 60 semester credits from an accredited college, including at least 15 semester credits in the physical and and/or biological sciences. Furthermore, to assure compliance with Section 11.112 of the Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR) - Title 10 (Health), all candidates must have at least 2 years of experience as a public health sanitarian as described in 1 above.

11. In order to be eligible for promotion to a supervisory level, candidates must have 2 years of experience as a public health sanitarian, pursuant to Section 11.112 of the Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR) - Title 10 (Health).

Preferred Skills

1) A minimum of 2 years directly relevant experience with occupational safety/industrial hygiene and environmental regulations is preferred 2) Candidate must be knowledgeable in one or more areas of occupational safety and environmental laws and regulations, such as: 29 CFR 1910 & 1926 (OSHA) 40 CFR (EPA) RCRA, CERCLA/SARA, TSCA, New York State - PESH, DEC 3) Candidate should have knowledge of relevant New York City Administrative Code and Rules of the City of New York is preferred 4) Candidate should have a working knowledge of MS-Office software, particularly Excel and/or Access 5) Ability to obtain OSHA General & Construction Industry Certified Trainer (OSHA 510, 501, 511, 500) 6) Ability to obtain 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER certification 7) A valid New York state Motor Vehicle Driver License is required.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

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.