Associate Laboratory Microbiologist

***IMPORTANT NOTE: Candidate(s) selected for the Associate Laboratory Microbiologist position through this posting will be hired on a provisional basis. To be considered for permanent employment in this role, provisional employees will need to take and pass the next civil service examination for Associate Laboratory Microbiologist and obtain a list number issued by the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services. Please be aware that employees who do not take and pass the exam may not be able to continue in the provisional position.*** 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.

The Bureau of Wastewater Treatment (BWT) is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all facilities related to the treatment of sewage within the five boroughs of the City. This includes 14 wastewater treatment plants, sludge dewatering facilities, collections facilities (pumping stations, combined sewer overflow retention facilities, regulators, tide gates, etc.), wastewater laboratories and harbor vessels.

Under direct supervision of the Technical Director of the Laboratory or his/her designee, with some degree of independence, the selected candidate will:

• Perform routine microbiological testing on environment samples to find indicator bacteria such as total confirm, fecal coliform, and enterococcus to meet regulatory compliance.
• Conduct quality control and participate in all proficiency testing.
• Assist in on-the-job training of subordinates, new personnel and other persons as required; may supervise subordinate employees under direction.
• Prepare or supervise preparation of sterilized sample bottles for the distribution to 14 WRRFs and other recipients.
• Perform routine tasks such as maintenance of equipment and preparation of media, reagents, buffers, controls and QC cultures.
• Maintain data and other records. make entries in charts as mandated
• Prepare and/or reviews reports.
• Perform microscopic examination of wastewater biology to assist the process engineers in the troubleshooting of plant upset.
• Participate in non-routine testing programs to support BWT's research programs. This includes performing molecular analysis using extraction and PCR as part of BWT's Wastewater Based Epidemiology (WBE) program and/or its microbial source tracking program. Participate in the implementation of non-routine analytical methods.
• Assist the Technical Director in ordering and maintaining adequate amounts of media, reagents and other laboratory supplies for laboratory use.
• Will be required to workday shifts during weekdays and/or weekends. Must be available 7 days per week.

Minimum Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in medical technology or in one of the chemical, physical, or biological sciences, and one year of laboratory experience at the technologist level in the appropriate laboratory specialty or specialties; or
• Ninety college credits from an accredited college or university including or supplemented by either (a) or (b) below, and one year of laboratory experience at the technologist level in the appropriate laboratory specialty or specialties.

(a) For those whose training was completed prior to September 15, 1963: a total of at least 24 credits in chemistry and biology courses combined, including at least nine credits in chemistry, of which six credits must be in inorganic chemistry; and including at least 12 credits in biology courses pertinent to the medical sciences.

(b) For those whose training was completed after September 15, 1963: 16 credits in chemistry courses acceptable towards a major in chemistry, including at least six credits in inorganic chemistry; and 16 credits in biology courses acceptable towards a major in biology; and three credits in mathematics.

Preferred Skills

• Background in microbiological examination adequate to understand and critique accredited wastewater and solid waste test methods.
• Experience in molecular biology, including digital PCR.
• Experience working in regulated laboratories.
• Experience with LIMS/WIMS.
• Proactive and positive approach.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite software including Excel, Word, Adobe and Access, and Power Point.
• Ability to think logically.
• Communication skills; written and oral.
• Time management.
• Committed to honesty, integrity, and best practices.

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

Appointments are subject to OMB approval.

For additional information about DEP, visit www.nyc.gov/dep.

DEP is an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to the diversity of our organization and workforce. Your voluntary response to the NYCAPS on-line application section for referral information will assist us tremendously in our ability to track the success of our outreach and recruitment efforts. Please be sure to indicate your source of referral to this job.