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City of New York

Senior EHS Specialist- Program Development

City of New York, New York, NY, United States

Job Description

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.

The Bureau of Wastewater Treatment is seeking to fill the position of Senior EHS Specialist, who will be a critical support leader for supporting the Bureau’s environmental program efforts. The Senior EHS Specialist will lead, and support EHS program development and communications based on internal EHS programs and external regulatory requirements (i.e. OSHA, PESH, DEC, EPA), as well as support EHS campaigns and events to promote employee awareness and control measures for hazards. This position will also have responsibility for managing various programs involving emergency plans, HASP and Prebid document approval, RMP updates, SDS program management and information sharing platforms.

Job Tasks/Duties:

  1. Managing, coaching and mentoring staff involved in the administration of one or more Directorate’s EHS program.

  2. Providing leadership and project support to the EHS Directorate by working closely with the EHS Section Chief assisting with EHS risk reduction approaches and performance improvement initiatives.

  3. Leading and/or participating in the research and evaluation of regulatory requirements and EHS best management practices. Leading and/or participating in development, supporting and review of EHS programs, and Bureau procedures. Leading the effort on developing Bureau-wide/site-specific EHS aspects and impacts, following formal Management System approach (i.e., ISO 14001 or similar).

  4. Coordinating support of the Bureau’s EHS programs, including Emergency Planning, Risk Management Planning, Right-to Know, and other EHS Programs.

  5. Actively utilizing enterprise-wide systems and computer-based programs for safety data sheet management, audit findings, violations and facility assets (e.g. SIRS, AIT; AIIMS, NOVs, CMMS, etc.).

  6. Participating in OEHS Assessments, BWT internal Programmatic Assessments, and various levels of incident investigations.

  7. Interfacing with Federal, State and Agency level representatives to coordinate the Bureau's approach to compliance and provide appropriate level feedback regarding BWT’s efforts at meeting its compliance obligations and management system initiatives.

  8. Working closely with DEP legal staff and other stakeholders to communicate and resolve high risk observations as well as close out actions.

  9. Proactively working to provide implementation support, oversight and effective communication on EHS related elements of contract activities (e.g. BEDC, JOCs, etc.), Prevention Through Design (PTD), Deep Dives, Pre-construction work, pre-award EHS contractor program and E-HASP review and approval.

  10. Providing technical support and staff management during high-level emergencies and recovery, with 24/7 availability.

  11. Coordinating between Bureau EHS and Operations the EHS communication campaigns, events, and supports EHS training. Preparing EHS communication materials, such as safety posters, EHS informational sheets, alerts and toolbox talks. Preparing other EHS communications, such as safety articles for BWT newsletters, lessons learned, etc.

  12. Maintaining technical proficiency through attending training, conferences, webinars. Displaying satisfactory work habits in completion of responsibilities and functions, meeting assignments’ goals and timeframes.

  13. Occasionally performing duties of Acting BWT EHS Section Chief, when required.

***Please note that at the time of the interview, you will be required to provide a sample of a recent technical report, research analysis, article, training or presentation on an EHS subject that you wrote or substantially contributed towards.

Health and Safety/Working Conditions:

Environment and Physical:

  1. Duties include both field activities and office activities.

  2. Must be able to use and navigate a lap-top/tablet and desk-top computer.

  3. Must be able to wear personal protective Equipment (PPE) during field visits.

  4. Ability to work within industrial operations such as wastewater treatment plants, pump stations and active construction sites. Work assignment may involve entering confined spaces.

  5. May occasionally be required to work off hours, including early morning, evening and weekends.

  6. Be able to climb stairs, ladders and carry work equipment for prolonged periods of time.

  7. Transportation to facilities is by Agency vehicle, provided on as as-needed basis.

Special Requirements

  1. Motor Vehicle Driver’s License valid in the State of New York and must be kept for the duration of the

employment.

  1. New York City Residency is required within 90 days of appointment.

Qualifications

  1. For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.

To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have:

  1. A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year of full-time experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or

  2. A master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization; or

  3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least a master's degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in "2" above. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can be substituted for the experience required in "1" and "2" above.

NOTE:

Probationary Period

Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.

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.