Aquatic Biologist 2

THE POSITION Join the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as an Aquatic Biologist 2. You will help protect streams, wetlands, and habitats while guiding projects that shape communities. Bring your scientific insight to complex environmental reviews and field work that make a real difference. Grow your career and step into a role where your expertise safeguards Pennsylvania water resources. DESCRIPTION OF WORK This role supports permit decisions and compliance actions in the Waterways and Wetlands Program. The work blends technical analyses, field investigations, and coordination across agencies to protect aquatic resources. As an Aquatic Biologist 2, you will perform the following duties: Permit Reviews: Evaluate applications for Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permits against the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act and Chapters 105 and 106 of the Department's rules and regulations Field Investigations: Conduct site visits to assess aquatic habitats, verify wetland delineations, and document findings in written reports Compliance Actions: Investigate unauthorized activities, prepare notices and citations, and provide technical support for enforcement proceedings Agency Coordination: Consult and coordinate with PennDOT, resource agencies, and jurisdictional partners on environmental evaluations and species concerns Public Guidance: Provide technical assistance, lead pre-application meetings, and prepare correspondence Data Systems: Enter and manage data following standard operating procedures and records management procedures Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description. Work Schedule and Additional Information Full-time employment Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch. This position may require travel. Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 3 days per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Pittsburgh. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview. Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Experience and Training Requirements One year as an Aquatic Biologist 1 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or One year of professional experience in aquatic biology or water pollution biology and a bachelor's degree with a major in a biological science, natural science, environmental science, or natural resource management, including or supplemented by six college credits in freshwater aquatic biology, aquatic ecology, aquatic botany, water pollution biology, entomology, limnology, or closely related aquatic science coursework; or An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes six college credits in freshwater aquatic biology, aquatic ecology, aquatic botany, water pollution biology, entomology, limnology, or closely related aquatic science coursework. Special Requirements This position requires possession of a valid motor vehicle license. Other Requirements You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines. You must be able to perform essential job functions. Commonwealth employees who wish to use their seniority rights must apply to the internal posting for their seniority rights to be considered. How to Apply Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted. Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information. Veterans Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans. Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals). If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date. The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. EXAMINATION INFORMATION Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam). Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions. Your score is valid for this specific posting only. You must provide complete and accurate information or: your score may be lower than deserved. you may be disqualified. You may only apply/test once for this posting. Your results will be provided via email. Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video! See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator. Health & Wellness We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.* Compensation & Financial Planning We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options. Work/Life Balance We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.* Values and Culture We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving. Employee Perks Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships. For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box. Eligibility rules apply. 01 Special Requirement - Do you possess a valid driver's license which is not under suspension? Yes No 02 If you answered "Yes" to the above question, please provide your license number and expiration date. If you answered "No", type N/A in the text box below. 03 Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an Aquatic Biologist 1 for one or more years full-time? Yes No 04 If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below. 05 Have you completed six or more semester college credits in freshwater aquatic biology, aquatic ecology, aquatic botany, water pollution biology, entomology, limnology, or closely related aquatic science coursework? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting https://www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services link. Yes No 06 How much full-time professional experience do you possess in aquatic biology or water pollution biology? 1 year or more 6 months but less than 1 year Less than 6 months None 07 If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below. 08 How much graduate coursework have you completed in aquatic biology, aquatic ecology, or water pollution biology? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting https://www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services link. 30 credits or more Less than 30 credits None 09 INSTRUCTIONS: You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score. All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions. Read each question carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function. If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions. If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our FAQ page. Yes 10 WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - PERMITS Review permits, erosion and sediment control plans, environmental assessments, wetland mitigation plans, and stream restoration plans, to ensure compliance with state regulations. Identify issues; draft technical deficiency letters; and make recommendations for approval or denial. Levels of Performance Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim. A. I have experience reviewing permits and plans to ensure compliance with state regulations; identifying issues; drafting technical deficiency letters; and making recommendations for approval or denial. B. I have experience reviewing permits and plans to ensure compliance with state regulations and identifying issues. SOMEONE ELSE drafted technical deficiency letters and made recommendations for approval or denial. C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to compliance monitoring. D. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior. 11 In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. The duties you performed related to reviewing permits and plans to ensure compliance. The duties you performed related to identifying issues when reviewing permits and plans. The duties you performed related to drafting deficiency letters and making recommendations for approval or denial. 12 If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. College/University Course Title(s) Credits/Clock Hours 13 WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - WETLAND DELINEATIONS Review or conduct wetland delineations by identifying plants, sources of hydrology, and hydric soils. Use desktop review tools including Geographical Information System (GIS) to verify wetland boundaries as part of permit applications and compliance actions. Levels of Performance Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim. A. I have experience CONDUCTING wetland delineations by identifying plants, sources of hydrology, and hydric soils; and using desktop review tools including Geographical Information System (GIS) to verify wetland boundaries as part of permit applications and compliance actions. B. I have experience REVIEWING wetland delineations performed by others by verifying that plants, sources of hydrology, and hydric soils have been identified accurately and using desktop review tools including Geographical Information System (GIS) to verify wetland boundaries. C. I have experience identifying plants, sources of hydrology, or hydric soils. D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to GIS Software Application or wetland delineations. E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior. 14 In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. The duties you performed related to conducting wetland delineations. The duties you performed related to reviewing wetland delineations performed by others. The duties you performed related to identifying plants, sources of hydrology, or hydric soils. Details regarding your use of GIS. 15 If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. College/University Course Title(s) Credits/Clock Hours 16 WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - FIELD INSPECTIONS Conduct surface activity site inspections while documenting results and determining environmental impacts. Evaluate if field conditions meet the specifications of plans and permits. Levels of Performance Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim. A. I have experience CONDUCTING surface activity site inspections while documenting results, DETERMINING environmental impacts, and EVALUATING if field conditions meet the specifications of plans and permits. B. I have experience CONDUCTING surface activity site inspections while documenting results and EVALUATING if field conditions meet the specifications of plans and permits. C. I have experience EVALUATING field conditions to ensure they meet the specifications of plans and permits OR DETERMINING environmental impacts based on the inspections completed by others. D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to environmental science, environmental protection or natural resource management. E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior. 17 In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. The duties you performed related to conducting surface activity site inspections. The duties you performed related to determining environmental impacts. The duties you performed related to evaluating if field conditions meet the specifications of plans and permits. 18 If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. College/University Course Title(s) Credits/Clock Hours 19 WORK BEHAVIOR 4 - PREPARE WRITTEN TECHNICAL REPORTS Writes technical reports which detail the purposes of aquatic resource investigations, interpretations, findings, conclusions, and recommendations for further actions using biological, physical, and chemical data collected, and reference related literature and historical data. Levels of Performance Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim. A. I have experience writing technical reports which detail the purposes of aquatic resource investigations, interpretations, findings, conclusions, and recommendations for further actions using biological, physical, and chemical data collected, or reference related literature and historic data. I was responsible for the COMPLETE document. B. I have experience writing PORTIONS OR SECTIONS of technical reports which detail the purposes of aquatic resource investigations, interpretations, findings, conclusions, and recommendations for further actions using biological, physical, and chemical data collected, or reference related literature and historic data. I WAS NOT responsible for the complete document. C. I have experience writing technical reports NOT related to aquatic resource investigations. D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to report writing, technical writing, or scientific writing. E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior. 20 In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. The duties you performed related to writing technical reports, including topic. Your level of responsibility. 21 If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. College/University Course Title(s) Credits/Clock Hours Required Question Employer Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Address 613 North Street Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120 Website http://www.employment.pa.gov