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 Office of Energy and Resource Recovery Programs (Energy Office) is charged with plotting the course for DEP to meet its energy and carbon neutrality goals, as well as maximizing resource recovery. The Energy Office also provides energy and performance tracking, program assessment, scientific research, emergency planning and internal auditing services to DEP's operating bureaus.

The Circular Economy Program Manager will be responsible for maximizing DEP’s role in a regional, circular economy. Tasks will fall into two primary categories: 1) increasing the quantity of external material currently treated as waste that can be managed at a DEP facility and 2) decreasing the quantity of material produced at DEP facilities currently treated as waste.

The first category of tasks will focus on scaling up DEP’s co-digestion program from its current capacity (500 tons per day) to a goal of 2000 tons per day by 2032. This will involve forging new partnerships with city agencies such as NYC Parks and DSNY as well as private haulers and waste management companies active in the city’s waste collection industry. Increasing the co-digestion program throughput will also entail identifying capital investments needed to increase DEP’s capacity to accept food waste at its Wastewater Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs).

The second category of tasks requires identifying beneficial uses for the wide range of material collected and produced at DEP’s facilities. The primary objective is to comply with New York City’s “0x30” (0 waste to landfill by 2030) goal. This will require ensuring that the biosolids made at DEP WRRFs comply with relevant treatment standards and identifying any capital projects required to maintain those standards. Other components of this task would include research to determine appropriate beneficial uses, implementing technologies that improve the quality of our biosolids and the end uses available to that material, and contract negotiation with third parties that can assist with DEP’s goals. Beyond biosolids, this position is expected to advance beneficial uses of materials collected in our system including grit, FOG (Fats, oils and grease) and scum that are currently landfilled.

Duties of this position will include:

• Develop DEP’s Circular Economy Program on all levels for DEP. Resources to be recovered to include, but not limited to: biosolids, food waste (co-digestion), construction materials including soils, and other Residuals (grit, screenings, scum).

• Support the progress of major capital projects and plans related to the production of biosolids at DEP’s WRRFs and the expansion of the co-digestion program.

• Identify measures and work with DSNY as well as other local waste haulers to secure a consistent supply of locally sourced food waste as feedstock for DEP’s co-digestion program

• Develop partnerships with outside vendors capable of pre-processing and delivering organic waste for co-digestion

• Develop strategies for processing, treating, and managing biosolids and biosolids products for beneficial uses, energy minimization, and GHG reductions.

• Assist in strategic capital planning, technology review, resource recovery options assessments, and contract preparation and management.

• Utilize independent judgement, initiative and action to perform high level and complex work in planning, and coordinating with the development and progress on the DEP BWT Biosolids capital programs including making determinations of costs, time, and of potential capital funding.

• Develop and implement business plans, demographics and research, and brand and marketing to support beneficial reuse of biosolids and other byproducts of wastewater treatment

strategies to foster new partnerships and markets for biosolids products and services; grow support locally and nationally for recycling of resources made from renewable waste stream.

• Work closely with managers and staff across the Agency including operations and maintenance, engineers, planners and compliance officers.

• Work with contractors and vendors in the marketing of biosolids, biosolids treatments, composting opportunities, soil amendment, land reclamation, and other biosolids products and uses.

• Coordinate with colleagues, legal counsel, supervisors and contractors on a wide range of issues pertaining to biosolids development and use including marketing, public relations, toxics testing/minimization/stabilization, odor control, and product testing.

• Strategize and implement systems to improve customer relations and product development work, and grow internal and external pride for biosolids products and their value to the sustainable communities.

• Employ working knowledge of local, state and federal regulations to meet with regulators, represent the department at public hearings, prepare responses to regulatory requirements, including operating reports, letters, and memorandum, etc.

• Work closely with local, state and federal regulatory authorities to ensure conformance to environmental

protection requirements and to assist with development and implementations of biosolids management regulations, including coordinating the preparation of periodic operational reports, the review and critique of proposed regulations, and development of good inter-agency relationships.

• Coordinate with activities of biosolids processing, administration and engineering services in Biosolids and Building Maintenance Contracts Section, and assist with the section’s long range operational plans.

• Coordinate with other sections and projects affecting biosolids management, such as industrial

pretreatment and residuals disposal.

• Act as BWT’s representative with external consultants, elected officials, other municipalities, community leaders, media, and the general public. Advocate for and present on biosolids utilization programs with industry colleagues, press, citizens, contractors and regulators.

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.

• Experience establishing a creative and innovative work environment with a customer focus

• Demonstrated skill in assessing and determining the necessary resources to successfully accomplish work programs

- Critical thinking and strategic planning skills, including long- and short-term goal setting

• Experience applying project management and planning techniques to establish the direction, ensure milestones met and make decisions regarding competing internal and external interests.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively interpret technical information for non-technical audiences simply, clearly and concisely

• Excellent presentation skills with ability to communicate a compelling and inspired vision and sense of core purpose. Ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy and respond to politically sensitive inquiries about controversial topics

• Demonstrated skill in team building and working with others in achieving common goals and objectives including identifying and evaluating alternative program elements and solutions.

• Demonstrated ability to experiment to find creative solutions; adaptable to change and able to remain

open to new ideas and way of doing things

• Proactive and positive approach

• Soil Scientist

Driver License Requirement:
At the time of appointment to certain positions, candidates may be required to possess a Motor Vehicle Driver License valid in the State of New York. If required, employees must maintain this license for the duration of employment.

**LOAN FORGIVENESS**
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at StudentAid.gov/PSLF.

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 recruitment efforts. Please be sure to indicate your source of referral to this job.
For more information about NYCDEP, visit us at: www.nyc.gov/dep

We appreciate your interest and thank all applicants who apply, but only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

All appointments are subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval.

Click on “Apply Now” and submit a resume and cover letter.
Please review the City’s Civil Service Exam requirements for full-time employees at
https://www1.nyc.gov/jobs/get-started.page

35 hours per week

96-05 Horace Harding Expway

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.

Recruitment Contact: Grace Pigott
Recruitment Email: recruit@dep.nyc.gov