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.

New York City has approximately 140,000 catch basins, 114,000 hydrants, 90,000 valves, 14 gatehouses, 3 reservoirs, 68 groundwater wells, a 100 million gallon underground storage tank and 7,000 miles each of both sanitary sewers and water mains. The responsibility of maintaining these vast networks falls under the Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations (BWSO).

The primary responsibilities of the Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations are: the operation, maintenance and protection of the City’s drinking water and wastewater collection (sewer) systems; the protection of adjacent waterways; and the development and protection of the Department’s Capital Water and Sewer Design Program. The Bureau also approves and inspects water and sewer connections performed by licensed plumbers and/or authorized contractors. In addition, the Bureau has overall responsibility for the approval and inspection of all public and private construction projects which could impact on the City’s water or sewer systems.

The Bureau is also responsible for the operation of the Staten Island Bluebelt. This is an ecologically sound, cost-effective natural alternative to storm sewers, which occupies approximately 15 square miles of land in the South Richmond area of Staten Island. This project preserves streams, ponds, and other wetland ("bluebelt") areas, allowing them to perform their natural function of conveying, storing, and filtering storm water. These areas also provide important community open spaces and a diverse wildlife habitat.

The APHS III is responsible for assisting the Bureau of Water & Sewer Operations’ Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Division in the development, maintenance, and improvement of effective and comprehensive environmental, health and safety initiatives. The EHS division strives to ensure long term environmental health and safety compliance and fully integrate the understanding of effective EHS policies and practices at all levels of the organization. Assignments will include identifying worker and environmental risks by performing EHS inspections, assessments and audits, conducting research, and educating personnel on safe work practices. Activities will include a mix of office and field work at various locations throughout the City of New York.

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manage the Bureau’s EHS audit and assessment program.
• Perform EHS audits/assessments and inspections covering the implementation of worker safety and environmental programs in Bureau facilities and field sites.
• Recognize hazards and determine if they pose a risk to workers and/or the environment.
• Identify and record findings and observations during the performance of EHS audits and assessments.
• Analyze and evaluate conditions discovered during EHS audits/assessments and propose corrective actions.
• Implement corrective actions associated with safety and environmental assessments, inspections, incidents, and regulatory deficiencies.
• Analyze and evaluate audit results and recognize trends to identify areas of improvement.
• Assist Bureau facilities with EHS compliance efforts.
• Perform research and interpret Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Public Employee Safety and Health (PESH), NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and other regulations and Agency EHS policies.
• Perform field work at the various locations across the City of New York; interact with field personnel, intra-agency personnel, and regulatory agencies.
• Manage and update existing systems to support research, data analysis, and regulatory compliance.
• Manage non-compliance event follow up activities and closure actions.
• Manage facility permits related to fire safety, chemical storage, and air pollution regulations.
• Interact with external agencies in relation to permits and non-compliance events.
• Prepare and submit accurate reports and figures.
• Maintain various environmental health and safety records.

*****All prospective candidates must be permanent in the Associate Public Health Sanitarian title or have filed for the most recent civil service exam in May 2026.

ASSOCIATE PUBLIC HEALTH SANITA - 31220

Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, including or supplemented by 30 semester credits in the physical and/or biological sciences, i.e., biology, botany, chemistry, geology, physics, physiology, and zoology; of which not more than 12 credit hours may be in the applied sciences, i.e., environmental technology, sanitation technology, medical technology, public health, infection control or food service; and at least two years of satisfactory full-time experience performing inspections to assure compliance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations governing the areas of food, drugs and general environmental conditions; or
2. An associate degree from an accredited college, with 15 semester credits in the physical and/or biological sciences, of which not more than 6 credit hours may be in the applied sciences, and 4 years of satisfactory full-time experience as described in "1" above; or
3. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least 60 semester credits from an accredited college, including at least 15 semester credits in the physical and and/or biological sciences. Furthermore, to assure compliance with Section 11.112 of the Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR) – Title 10 (Health), all candidates must have at least 2 years of experience as a public health sanitarian as described in "1" above.
4. In order to be eligible for promotion to a supervisory level, candidates must have 2 years of experience as a public health sanitarian, pursuant to Section 11.112 of the Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR) – Title 10 (Health).

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.