Scientist (Water Ecology)

Scientists (Water Ecology) under supervision, with some latitude for the exercise of independent initiative and judgment, collect water samples and other environmental data in the field to support water ecology research; perform routine water ecology and water quality testing and analyses; may assist in performing moderately complex testing and analyses, employing standard controls, utilizing manual and automated techniques and conducting data and statistical analyses, using computer software and mathematical models; drive a motor vehicle from site to site in the performance of these duties. All Scientists (Water Ecology) perform related work.
Special Working Conditions:
Scientists (Water Ecology) may be required to work various shifts including nights, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Some of the physical activities performed by Scientists (Water Ecology) and environmental conditions experienced are: lift and carry packages weighing approximately 20 pounds for a distance of 30 feet; perform duties in confined work areas; wear protective garments such as gloves, lab coats, goggles, and life vests; handle and manipulate laboratory equipment and instruments/tools such as glass test tubes, slides, beakers and other glassware, scalpels, scissors, etc.; adjust settings on machines, which requires fine finger and hand coordination and control; and collect samples at sites in all weather conditions. (This is a brief description of what you might do in this position and does not include all the duties of this position.)

How To Qualify:
It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the education and experience requirements for the examination before submitting your application. If you are deemed "Not Qualified," your application fee will not be refunded and you will not receive a score. As per Section 54(2) of the Civil Service Law, the education requirement needed to qualify must be met by September 22, 2027. The experience requirement needed to qualify must be met by the last day of the Application Period (September 22, 2026).

Education And Experience Requirements:
1. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following areas of study: environmental or chemical engineering, limnology, environmental science, marine science, geology, biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, or health science; or
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by 24 semester credits in one or a combination of the areas of study described in "1" above, at least 12 of which must have been in one of these areas of study and at least one year of satisfactory full-time

experience, which must not have been part of graduate or undergraduate course work, working in the field of water quality planning, management or research, or performing environmental laboratory analyses and/or environmental field sampling of water; or
3. An associate degree from an accredited college or university including or supplemented by 24 semester credits in one or a combination of the areas of study described in “1" above, at least 12 of which must have been in one of these disciplines and at least three years of satisfactory full-time experience as described in "2" above. The college or university must be accredited by regional, national, professional, or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). If you were educated outside the United States, you must have your foreign education evaluated to determine its equivalence to education obtained in the United States. This is required only if you need credit for your foreign education in this examination. For more information see the Foreign Education Evaluation Guide in the Required Information section. During the Education and Experience Exam (EEE), you will get instructions on converting part-time experience to the full-time equivalent. You must final submit your Education and Experience Exam in OASys by midnight Eastern time on the last day of the Application Period, and once you Final Submit, no changes can be made. Failure to click Final Submit by the deadline will result in an incomplete application, and you will not receive a score or a refund of the application fee.
Driver License Requirement:
You must have a motor vehicle driver license valid in the State of New York at the time of appointment. If you have moving violations, license suspension(s) or an accident record, you may be disqualified. This license must be maintained for the duration of your employment.
Residency Requirement Advisory:
Under New York City Administrative Code Section 12-120, you might need to be a resident of the City of New York within 90 days of the date you are appointed to this position. Since residency requirements vary by title, appointing agency, and length of service, consult the appointing agency’s personnel office at the time of the appointment interview to find out if City residency is required.
English Requirement:
You must be able to understand and be understood in English.
Proof of Identity:
Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, you must be able to prove your identity and your right to obtain employment in the United States prior to employment with an agency under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner, Department of Citywide Administrative Services.

Your score will be determined by an Education and Experience Exam. You will receive a score of 70 points for meeting the education and experience requirements listed above. After these requirements are met, you will receive additional credit up to a maximum of 100 points on the following basis: Experience used to gain additional credit must be obtained by the last day of the Application Period (September 22, 2026). If you have satisfactory full-time experience in water quality planning, management, You will or research, or performing environmental laboratory analyses and/or environmental receive
field sampling of water for: up to:
At least 6 months but less than 1 year 3.75 points At least 1 year but less than 1 year and 6 months 7.5 points 11.25 At least 1 year and 6 months but less than 2 years points At least 2 years but less than 2 years and 6 months 15 points 18.75 At least 2 years and 6 months but less than 3 years points At least 3 years but less than 3 years and 6 months 22.5 points 26.25 At least 3 years and 6 months but less than 4 years points 4 or more years 30 points Experience used to meet the minimum requirements cannot be used to gain additional credit. During the Education and Experience Exam (EEE), you will get instructions on converting part-time experience to the full-time equivalent. You must Final Submit your Education and Experience Exam in OASys by midnight Eastern time on the last day of the Application Period, and once you Final Submit, no changes can be made. Failure to click Final Submit by the deadline will result in an incomplete application, and you will not receive a score or a refund of the application fee.

Under New York City Administrative Code Section 12-120, you might need to be a resident of the City of New York within 90 days of the date you are appointed to this position. Since residency requirements vary by title, appointing agency, and length of service, consult the appointing agency’s personnel office at the time of the appointment interview to find out if City residency is required.