Environmental Analyst – Stream Monitoring and Assessment

TITLE: Environmental Analyst – Stream Monitoring and Assessment

EMPLOYER: NEIWPCC, Wannalancit Mills, 650 Suffolk Street, Suite 410, Lowell, MA
01854.

LOCATION: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), 625
Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-3507

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: NEIWPCC is a regional commission that helps the states
of the Northeast preserve and advance water quality. We engage and convene water quality
professionals and other interested parties from New England and New York to collaborate on
water, wastewater, and environmental science challenges across the regions, ecosystems,
and areas of expertise. NEIWPCC is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a
culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

JOB SUMMARY: The incumbent will focus on assisting in the water quality monitoring
and assessment of source waters in New York State (NYS) streams and rivers in the
Monitoring and Assessment Section (MAS) at NYSDEC, Division of Water (DOW),
Bureau of Water Assessment and Management. The incumbent will assist in the
coordination between the Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) and
MAS to help ensure source water priority waterbodies are targeted for monitoring and
assessment. This will include assisting in the monitoring and assessment of DWSP2
priority waterbodies, implemented through the DOW MAS Rotating Integrated Basin
Studies (RIBS) program. The incumbent will also serve as a liaison to the DOW Bureau
of Water Permits (BWP), regional representatives, and internal basin programs for the
development of a watershed-based sampling program that supports permit
development. This may include coordination of sampling efforts, development of
appropriate QAQC documents, creation of potential data tools, as well as analysis and
reporting of data.

This position will also support, in general, all elements of the work of MAS programs
which includes but is not limited to biological monitoring of streams and rivers, harmful
algal bloom (HAB) reporting and research, groundwater program data processing,
collection of field observation and water chemistry data, laboratory sample processing,
database development, database maintenance, data analysis, and reporting.

Duties will be performed in an office setting and in outdoor field conditions. Field work will
be conducted outdoors under a variety of weather conditions, from boats and rough
terrain, with a need to lift and carry up to 30 lbs. Position will require travel, especially
during periods of the year when field work is conducted, and will require travel overnight
and for extended hours; travel and field work may comprise up to 30% of time, annually.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The position will assist with the following:

• Contribute to water quality monitoring data collection, analysis, and reporting with a

focus on water quality assessment of source water rivers and streams in NYS.

• Participate in the collection of water quality data/samples, field measurements, and

observations from streams and rivers from across NYS, with an emphasis on
biological sampling and analysis methods.

• With supervisory guidance, coordinate and liaison with BWP and others to support a

watershed-based sampling program in support of permit updates. Leverage existing
sampling programs where feasible, and provide program development framework

and guidance. Investigate opportunities to support permit development through
analysis of the existing statewide dataset.

• Assist in water quality monitoring data processing and entry into various MAS data

management platforms. Depending on experience, the position may potentially
include assisting senior staff in the update and maintenance of various data
processing components developed in the programming language, R.

• Help develop electronic field-based data collection procedures for MAS, including

developing maps and map products using ArcGIS desktop and online platform.

• Assist in identification and enumeration of in-house macroinvertebrate citizen

science program managed by MAS.

• Participate in all training necessary to conduct sampling, operate vessels, and use

DOW databases.

• Provide support for Quality Assurance Project Plan and Standard Operating

Procedure development for MAS programs.

• Provide background materials or draft or write articles for various NEIWPCC, or other,

publications. Present work products and programs to stakeholders and the public.

• Other duties as assigned.
  

The satisfactory performance of the above duties and responsibilities requires the
incumbent to have a thorough understanding of the DEC and NEIWPCC’s programs,
organization, and policies, to exercise initiative and resourcefulness in complicated
situations, and to be able to work effectively with state and federal contacts at both staff
and top management levels, and with varied professional backgrounds. The ability to
organize workload, and perform tasks in an accurate, conclusive, and timely manner is
required.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: Incumbent operates with some independence of action within
their area of activity. This position is contained within the Division of Water (DOW), Bureau of
Water Assessment Monitoring and Assessment Section within the NYSDEC. Job
performance is evaluated by the NEIWPCC Project Manager and in consultation with Keleigh
Reynolds, NYSDEC.

The incumbent will rely on their ability, expertise, and commitment to excellence. They will
also build NEIWPCC’s culture which focuses on honesty, ethical behavior, personal integrity,
respect for others, transparency, hard work, and collaborative teamwork.

REQUIREMENTS:

• A valid driver’s license and access to own transportation required.
• Attendance is mandatory in the Lowell office for a one-day orientation and at the

the assigned work location Monday – Friday for the first six months of employment.
After six months of employment, this position may be eligible for a partial telework
schedule, subject to approval and determined by program and office needs. Telework
schedules are authorized by the Executive Director.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: A bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology,
environmental biology, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), or related field.

At least three years of full-time or equivalent part-time, technical, or professional experience
in the above-mentioned fields, of which at least one year must have been in a professional
capacity.

Substitutions

I. An associate’s degree with a major in a field referenced above or a related field
may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.*

II. A bachelor’s degree with a major in a field referenced above or a related field may
be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience.*

III. A graduate degree with a major in a field referenced above or a related field may
be substituted for required experience.*

• Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the

requirements actually completed.

Personal Characteristics

• Naturally prone to action with a focus toward continuous improvement and is

committed to contributing to the overall success of NEIWPCC.

• Ability to build collaborative relationships across NEIWPCC and our partners.
• Approachable and diplomatic in all interactions.
• Able to manage change and articulate the “value case” for it.
• A team player who is inclusive and willing to help others.
• Dependable and capable of fostering trust.
• Accepts responsibility and is accountable for results.
• Ability to write concisely to express thoughts clearly and to develop ideas in logical

Special Knowledge and Skills
In general, experience collecting and working with water quality data, aquatic
macroinvertebrates, data and statistical analysis, and reporting is preferred. More
specifically:

• Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), such as ArcGIS Online
• Experience with the statistical computing software (R)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Access
• Knowledge of stream ecology and water quality management, including field work and

establishment of water quality goals

SALARY: Salary dependent on experience and qualifications.

BENEFITS: Generous benefits package provided, which includes: vacation, personal and
sick leave, paid holidays as determined by office location; health, dental, disability and life
insurance; retirement plan.