Supervisor, Metals Section of the Distribution Laboratory

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 Water Supply seeks to hire an Associate Chemist IV for a position in Wet Chemistry Section, Distribution Laboratory, Distribution Water Quality Operations Division, Water Quality & Innovation Directorate located in Queens, New York.

Under general direction, of the Deputy Chief of Distribution Water Quality Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Director, the Associate Chemist IV will serve as Supervisor, Metals Section of the Distribution Laboratory and will supervise and provide technical and administrative oversight to the daily operation of the Metals section of the Distribution Laboratory for the analyses of trace metals in drinking water using complex instrumentation to analyze drinking water samples following NYS approved testing methods, including developing goals, methods, and research projects for the section, managing protocols and standard operating procedures, and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements, and professional accrediting organizations' recommendations and guidelines. This position will also be responsible for supervising the analytical component of research related to the Revised Lead and Copper Rule. Specific duties include:

- Managing existing protocols and standard operating procedures for the section, maintaining Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA, QC) objectives and ensuring compliance with all environmental health and safety laws, rules and regulations.

- Developing goals and coordinating research objectives for the section according to the mission of the Distribution Laboratory and the Division.

- Implementing methods for Metals analysis of drinking water samples. Which includes selecting reagents, preparing specifications for equipment to be purchased, preparing method SOPs, and obtaining initial QC objectives.

- Directing quality control for the section: Reviewing QC data generated by analysts, monitoring QC charts and tables for accuracy, supervising entry of data into QC charts and tables, and devising protocols for the preparation of calibration standards and QC solutions.

- Conducting assigned research and investigations, and collaborating with City, State and federal officials on related matters, carrying out activities to develop effective coordination between the research efforts of the agency and outside collaborators.

- Providing technical direction to the section for method evaluation, verification, and accuracy of results.

- Identifying errors or potential problems that could result in errors, and taking corrective actions, and evaluating the corrective actions taken, to prevent recurrence.

- Assisting with the development and implementation of an automated Laboratory Information System (STARLiMS) for data record keeping and report generation to meet the needs for the section including appropriate QC validation rules and electronic transfer of data. Reviews data and generates reports.

- Handling all personnel issues including monitoring performance of staff, hiring, training and disciplinary actions.

- Instructing and assigning work to and evaluating performance of subordinate staff.

- Determining contract requirements and laboratory budget to ensure adequate inventories of equipment and supplies.

- Operating and maintaining analytical instruments in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, diagnosing instrument problems and performing routine maintenance of analytical instrumentation making minor repairs, adjustments and calibrations as needed.


Please note this is not a clinical laboratory, and a Clinical Laboratory Technologist License is not required for this position.


(This is a brief description of what you might do in this position and does not include all the duties of this position.)


Some of the physical activities performed by Associate Chemists and environmental conditions experienced are: lifting and carrying packages weighing approximately 20 pounds for a distance of 30 feet, performing duties in confined work areas, wearing protective garments such as respirators, gloves, lab coats, and goggles, handling and manipulating laboratory equipment and instruments and tools such as glass and plastic ware and lab tools, etc., adjusting settings